- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Perhaps he or she has short fingers
Anal Glands
- Thread starter SteffiS
- Start date
I’ve read that you can cause soft tissue damage if you squeeze the glands without the proper technique. So my preference is to not squeeze, but rather massage if they’re problematic—increases blood supply, softens the secretion to make it easier to secrete, and probably feels nice for the poor doggie!
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
- Location
- Wellington, NZ
Xena needs hers emptied periodically (only once this year so far) and the lead up is nothing dramatic - I either notice a fishy smell from her butt, or a wet fishy patch where she's been sleeping, or an increase in butt scooting, or a combo of all three.
Same here
- Location
- Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
Finn has sometimes issues with his anal glands. I once went to the vet for it. She emptied them, even though they weren’t very large...It is definitely something I wouldn’t do unless it becomes necessary, then the vet has to learn me how to do this!! When Finn has problems with his anal glands he starts to shove his bump over the pavement. We call this “riding like a sled”. As soon as I see HIM doing this I will have a look at his food, and his poo...precautions are being taken by changing his intake!
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I had a friend and her dog had a great deal of trouble with anal glands and there was talk of removing them surgically (not a pleasant op, painful) and I had read somewhere that Burne's Dog food was helpful, she bought some and never had a problem again. My vet suggested bran sprinkled on top of a dog's food.
- Location
- Close to Devon/Somerset border
@FayeRose Another method of emptying the anal gland is to insert the index finger and sort of squeeze the anal gland inbetween the inserted finger and the thumb on the outside. This is the method used by vets and enables the vet to get a good idea what is going on. Not a method recommended to do yourself.
oooh, I don't fancy trying that and I don't think Molly would be too impressed either. Thanks for the info. though.
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Willow and Shadow have never had any issues with theirs. I honestly wouldn't even know they were there. Willow scoots periodically, but I don't know if this is related to anal glands as it's only once in a while.
Squidge expresses hers on occasion, which is delightful. Luckily it's almost always on the tiled floor and then she cleans up afterwards
She did it once on J, though. Hehehe.
Squidge expresses hers on occasion, which is delightful. Luckily it's almost always on the tiled floor and then she cleans up afterwards
She did it once on J, though. Hehehe.
- Location
- Close to Devon/Somerset border
This is useful info. too, thanks. I wonder though, if there is a link between allergies and anal gland problems if dietary changes would make any difference. Assuming that is that the allergies are not food related to start with.
So difficult to find out a cause (was going to say, get to the bottom of - but thought better of it)
We could spend a fortune testing for several things and it still be inconclusive.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Cassie has been on Burns for just over a year --- I didn't choose it for that reason, but I do notice that quite often in the morning particularly she is uncomfortable in the anal region, she's never scooted but bites that area. When she then goes out and does a big morning poo , which is firm and kickable on Burns, there is often some fluid expelled at the end, which I presume to be from the anal glands.
What Causes Anal Gland Problems in Dogs?This is useful info. too, thanks. I wonder though, if there is a link between allergies and anal gland problems if dietary changes would make any difference. Assuming that is that the allergies are not food related to start with.
So difficult to find out a cause (was going to say, get to the bottom of - but thought better of it)
Best Home Remedies For Anal Gland Problems
How to Combat Seasonal Allergies in Dogs
There are a number of articles which suggest a link between anal gland problems and allergies. Not just food allergies either also seasonal ones. Obviously the Glandex is an advert for themselves but maybe the links above can give you some ideas as to the cause of Molly's anal problems for example have you noticed if it's seasonal ?
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Yes I have noticed this with Red and assumed that’s what it is. Never seen this or been aware of any anal gland issue with Sky.
- Location
- Close to Devon/Somerset border
Thanks for all the links and hints on here, all very much appreciated.
- Location
- Close to Devon/Somerset border
Yes SteffiS, so am I .
Just to add my experiences of the dreaded AG. Around 18 months we noticed we had a problem with monts, I think it started as the runs, but then the vet said one had become infected, which resulted in a GA and some antibiotics packed in to his bum. 
He has to now have them emptied every 2 to 3 months, often there's only one that's full, fortunately the head vet nurse has told me she finds it quite a satisfying job to do
so i never feel bad asking, and they do it for free as we are on a plan.
We've never had any dramatic expulsions , @MF wins that prize for getting it in her hair
but we've had them on the bedspread, on my mom's trousers just before we went out for dinner, and all over my mobile phone case. Which was fortunate as if he hadn't been lying on my phone would have gone straight onto my friend's sofa.
I moan about it to the vet a bit, but 3 different vets have said that some dogs just have a lifelong issue. They hardly ever recommend removal as the complications from surgery can be horrendous, occasionally resulting in an incontinent dog.
If Monty has loose poos I can often expect leakage a day or so later, and sometimes add a few bran flakes to his food.
It started around the same time as he went on metacam, which he has daily, and i struggle to get consistently kickable poos with him whatever he eats, so this may be a minor side effect of the daily painkillers which exacerbates the anal gland issue
He has to now have them emptied every 2 to 3 months, often there's only one that's full, fortunately the head vet nurse has told me she finds it quite a satisfying job to do
so i never feel bad asking, and they do it for free as we are on a plan. We've never had any dramatic expulsions , @MF wins that prize for getting it in her hair
but we've had them on the bedspread, on my mom's trousers just before we went out for dinner, and all over my mobile phone case. Which was fortunate as if he hadn't been lying on my phone would have gone straight onto my friend's sofa. I moan about it to the vet a bit, but 3 different vets have said that some dogs just have a lifelong issue. They hardly ever recommend removal as the complications from surgery can be horrendous, occasionally resulting in an incontinent dog.
If Monty has loose poos I can often expect leakage a day or so later, and sometimes add a few bran flakes to his food.
It started around the same time as he went on metacam, which he has daily, and i struggle to get consistently kickable poos with him whatever he eats, so this may be a minor side effect of the daily painkillers which exacerbates the anal gland issue
Harley has had some issues with her anal glands but thankfully seems to be growing out of it. We had to have them cleared every 3-4 months until she was about 18months and only once since. There was talk of removing them when we were having to have them cleared so often but hopefully that won't be necessary. Poor Harls, she really dislikes having it done - obviously.
- Location
- SW London UK
Homer has never had any anal gland problems but when he was at his most anxious he definitely had a funny smell about his which when I asked the behaviour vet he said it would be is anal glands. Luckily I never had to do anything about them.
Homer had been on Burnes kibble almost all his life so wonder if there's something in the theory that it helps? Homer does a normal healthy firm poop then afterwards another thinner little poop.
I hope its something Toffee will grow out of.
Homer had been on Burnes kibble almost all his life so wonder if there's something in the theory that it helps? Homer does a normal healthy firm poop then afterwards another thinner little poop.
I hope its something Toffee will grow out of.