Anal glands question...

Kingston54

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone can give me more information about the anal glands.  Our 8 year old weimaraner has had a few times over the years that we needed to express them.  My DH did it, as instructed by our vet and the problem went away.

Lately it seems like we have to do it once a week.  It smells terrible.  It doesn't seem to help too much and then we have the problem come right back.

I'm just seeking information about things that cause the problem/odor and also remedies.

If this is something I need to take her to the vet for, I am also (of course) willing to do that - but when we inquired about this before, he just told us how to do it to save us a trip there (it's a good 40 minutes away).

Thanks in advance, I appreciate the information!

IceHide61313

Anal glands are supposed to be expressed while the animal defecates, however, in dogs, they tend to get clogged easier, which is painful, so it doesn't always happen. You probably know this, but for a dog trying to relieve the pain, he/she will try to rub their hiney's across the floor. If your DH has seen a yellow or green color in the consistency then you should be talking to your dog to the vet. Brown is what the color should be. I don't think there is much for remedies. I know watching 'The Incredible Dr. Pol" that a cat had issues with its anal glands and the vet thought maybe they could remove the glands although that may make the cat lose control over the bladder and therefore defecate around/in the house. Then again, that is a cat and it may be different in dogs.

If you take your dog to the groomer, they should be expressing the anal glands if the vet isn't. If you don't take the dog to the groomer, your DH might need to be doing this every time your dog gets a bath.

Hope this helps

ShayLH

My small dog has the same problem.  It used to be every few months or so, but now it has been almost every week like your dog.  

I took my dog to the vet today to get her annual checkup and for the anal gland  issue.  The vet told me that sometimes stress can cause it, but generally it can just happen to any dog. (I lost another dog unexpectedly and I think my poor dog is mourning her loss, and is stressed).  

She suggested that I increase my dogs fiber intake, and to mix one teaspoonful of a Metamucil type powder into her food every day (I give hard and soft food).   

She said it will bulk up the stool to help clear the glands better.  

Hope that helps, I feel so bad for them it seems so uncomfortable!'   

i 

spalko

Did your DH express them externally or did he do it by placing one finger in the rectum and 'milking' the gland so to speak?

aggiebug

Has the consistency changed? what about color? Was it more difficult to express? What is his diet? has that changed recently? Is he scratching elsewhere? licking?

 

From what it sounds like there has been a drastic change in the anal gland issues your pup is having and that is enough for me to say it is worth seeing a vet.  There are a lot of issues that could cause this change which is why I was asking so many questions.  

aggiebug

kbielenberg:

Anal glands are supposed to be expressed while the animal defecates, however, in dogs, they tend to get clogged easier, which is painful, so it doesn't always happen. You probably know this, but for a dog trying to relieve the pain, he/she will try to rub their hiney's across the floor. If your DH has seen a yellow or green color in the consistency then you should be talking to your dog to the vet. Brown is what the color should be. I don't think there is much for remedies. I know watching 'The Incredible Dr. Pol" that a cat had issues with its anal glands and the vet thought maybe they could remove the glands although that may make the cat lose control over the bladder and therefore defecate around/in the house. Then again, that is a cat and it may be different in dogs.

If you take your dog to the groomer, they should be expressing the anal glands if the vet isn't. If you don't take the dog to the groomer, your DH might need to be doing this every time your dog gets a bath.

Hope this helps

Please don't use Dr. Pol as an example of veterinary medicine.  What is shown on TV is terrible medicine and has gotten him in repeated trouble with the state and national licensing boards.  I am not trying to be mean just an FYI.  He is a horrible representation of the veterinary profession and I can't handle it. 

LuckyAngel07

Several ladies around here have dogs who have had anal gland issues when their stools were too loose (therefore, not solid enough to cause the dog to have to push, so the glands don't get expressed naturally). If your pup is having loose poops, it could be from several things (stress, illness, food change). If it's a food switch, adding a spoonful of pure pumpkin puree (can be found canned, just make sure it's not pumpkin pie mix) can help bind things back up. If nothing else has really changed, I'd also suggest seeing the vet to make sure there isn't something else going on (infected glands or a GI issue causing diarrhea).

Kingston54

It must be stress.  We just had another baby.  DH was sick, then DS, then me.  Things have been really hectic here.  I'll have to make an effort to reduce her stress and show her more attention.  I didn't know stress could do it!