Anal glands: How often

boylema

Do you/should you have them expressed? I've only witnessed this in my presence this a handful of times, & tonight was one of them, the last time before that was in Dec.

Im just wondering if Im missing something?? Should I be having them expressed monthly? Or is there really no method or system to that gross madness?? Lol, &, EW!

mainerocks

Ideally never because they would express on their own when they go to the bathroom, but if that's not working right for your dog, then whenever they need to be done. I'm not sure how you judge that though... my mom has this issue with her mini doxie and I think she takes her when she starts scooting her butt?

LinZem

My dog has difficulties with her anal glands and sometimes they smell a bit funky, but they usually express on their own. I try to add a bit of pumpkin and usually the problem takes care of itself. I have taken her into the vet and they can express them, but they have never been at a critical stage so I don't worry about waiting and seeing how it goes.

PunkyBooster

Mine just started needing hers done regularly. She's almost 9ish. In the past year, she seems to have lost tone, so we have to do it every other month or so.

boylema

Oh they def express on their own! The problem is, other than it happening normally when he goes to the bathroom, he'll sometimes do it when he's lounging around (totally relaxed). Last night we were just snuggling on the couch watching movies, I got up to pee & he started going to town on his butthole (), when I got back to my seat (sharing w/him) & sat down, I could totally smell "his" "smell" if you know what I mean (this is something I learned about anal glands? Each dog has his/her unique "smell")

The other time he did it in my presence it was a similar situation, & he got up to move & they literally squirted on me (&, again, )(http://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/61129587.aspx)

I mean, whatever, it happens, they are dogs. I just want(ed) to make sure I wasn't missing something!

Thanks!

Snow1010

OMG we are dealing with anal gland issues and it's the worst.

I might be wrong, but if your dog's glands are just leaking or squirting around the house they are NOT expressing correctly on their own.   Ideally, when a dog poops they will express then.

After dealing with this horrific smell around the house we took our dog to the vet....she said our dog's glands were VERY full and didn't seem to be expressing on their own....that's why they are leaking.   

Our dog doesn't have infected glands and there's nothing wrong with them....our issue is that her poop isn't hard enough.   We are in the process of trying different things.

We tried adding fiber to her food (metamucil) and pumpkin but that didn't work. We are now trying another food.

Our dog needs her glands so frequently our vet actually showed us how to do it ourselves.   It's not fun, but better than having that leakage around the house.  

So sorry you're dealing with this...it's the worst.