Anal Glands

[Gustav]

My Mums dog Barley has constant problems with his anal glands! The vet expresses them almost every month, and it's costing mum quite alot! The vet said she could opperate but there is a risk of him becoming incontinent The last thing my mum needs is an incontinent dog, so she'd rather go and have them expressed! The vet gave mum some granules to put in his feed, hoping to bulk his poop out so that they get expressed naturally, he is better with the Granules but you only get a tiny tub for about £30 or $57 and this only lasts 2 to 3 weeks!
I was wondering if there was a different food he could go on to help this or something? Maybe a high fibre or something?!! have no idea! He has a very delicate stomach and get diarrhea all the time! So we have to bear this in mind!
Thanks in advance!

 

[Barb04]

Read this posting. Mordy I think on the 2nd page says it has to do with food. Are you feeding a good quality food. Also, one person said to get exercise. I hope this might help some.

http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2981&page=1&highlight=anal+glands

 

[Gustav]

Thanks Barb, but he gets really good quality food, i'm not sure what brand, but I think it may be James's Wellbeloved? And he walks about 8 or 9 miles a day, everyday!! So I don't think it could be that even! The vets think his stools may be too soft and therefore not expressing the glands when he poops!

 

[Adrienne]

I know this sounds icky but it is possible to express the glands yourself. Just ask the vet to show you how and make sure to pick up some latex gloves. It would certainly save a lot of money if your mom was willing to do it herself.

 

[chell78]

Alot of dogs have problems with their anal glands blocking up like that and have to be expressed manually, alot of their owners do find it easier and cheaper to learn how to express themselves, It isnt very hard, Yes its yuck, but it will save you money, I dont think the food she is on is whats causing the anal gland problems it might be why she has diarrhea though. Its not something that can be fixed by changing foods you just have to express them all the time or like your vet said have them removed

 

[Doberluv]

I occasionally express my Dobe's anal glands myself. The vet showed me how. It's simple. Latex gloves, K-Y jelly and just take your finger and gently make circles around the outside of the anus till the dog relaxes and gets use to that. Then gently, spiral your finger on up, just inside. DON'T go too far! On either side of the anus, you'll feel a little bump, like a pea size, hard lump. Gently, but firmly make circles and manipulte them, pressing a little. The stinky stuff will come out onto your rag or paper towel or in your hand. Reassure your dog and tell him what a good boy he is and he shouldn't mind this too much. I would ask your vet to show you the first time.

The other thing would be to make sure the dog's bowel contents are bulky, large and somewhat firm. If they are loose and small, they are not pressing against the glands each time he goes to the bathroom. This is necessary to naturally express them little by little so there is no build up. Adding vegetables (gradually) would help bulk him up. A little bran would help that. Just be sure to add these things gradually and not too much or he'll get diarrhea. These things are not exactly laxatives. They're more of an intestinal "normalizer." Check with the vet first.

 

[EliNHunter]

My Mom used to express Rufus' herself (eeewww). She'd take him into their walk-in shower and do it. Is the dog neutered? I've heard you don't have that problem if they're neutered...

 

[Doberluv]

Is the dog neutered? I've heard you don't have that problem if they're neutered...

That's not the case. Lyric is neutered. It has to do with the bowel contents and consistancy. LOL. Gross.

If this repeatedly occurs, surgical removal may be needed. Here's a link for you:

http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/health/analsac.htm

 

[EliNHunter]

And I don't think my Mom wore gloves!

 

[Doberluv]

LOL. Well, it's a good idea and also a good idea to file down your nail. You do not want to perforate or scratch anything in there.

 

[bubbatd]

My vet showed me how to wrap cotton wad to pinch ...you don't have to go deep ...

 

[EliNHunter]

Mom's too grossed out to post this, but she said his were huge and would squirt out and hit the wall and it stunk to high heaven!

 

[shredhead (DOG LOVER)]

Neutering doesn't help the anal gland problem at all. The vet showed me how to do it myself and no you don't have to stick your finger in the dog's anus. Just to clear up a misunderstanding that a lot of people have.

-Jon

 

[Doberluv]

No, you can do it from the outside, but if you really want to make sure to get them emptied, I think it works better to squeeze from the inside out. I don't know...that's what the vet showed me. She had me put my finger right in there while she stood there and told me to go in circles, massaging them. Gross. Oh well....LOL.

 

[chell78]

if it does the trick and saves you money I guess you gotta get grossed out once in a while (without using gloves URGGGhh I dont think so!! lol)