Owners of small dogs, anul express by Vet sometimes is necessary. Maybe large dogs to

Has anyone taken their dog for this procedure?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4.../chicaface.jpg
The Vet told me if you see your pet dragging their but along the floor or carpet , this might be the reason. The Vet said it is different for everybody, some may need this procedure done 1-2 times a year, some need it done every other month, it just all depends on the animal.

It is painfull to my Chica. The Vets finger has to go into her little anul and clear out the anul sac if it has fecal deposits in it that couldn't be defecated. Everyone please tell me your experience with this.
Chica's mom

Yeah all dogs need to have the anal sack expressed every now and then :)

You can do it yourself if you know how to do it, but I don't recommend doing so unless you're entirely educated and comfortable in the procedure... and its very, very stinky.

I just read in one of my Chihuahua books that small breeds have this problem. And occassionally have to go to the Vet to have the anul sacs expressed if they become impacted. So, this is something I didn't know before, and now I do.
Thank you for responding to me Jessica.
Chica's mom

I'm a dog groomer, and when I bathe, I empty the dog's anal glands. It's really not hard to do (unless the dog is overweight or too thin). You may be able to teach yourself how to do it so that you don't have to have the vet do it for you. Or, instead of taking her to the vet, take her to a groomer -- they are more experienced with anal glands, it's cheaper, and you'll get a nice bath along with it.

I was always under the impression that a dog defecating nice, solid poos would not require their anal sacs to be manually expressed. Or have I been mislead?

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Originally posted by Giselle
I was always under the impression that a dog defecating nice, solid poos would not require their anal sacs to be manually expressed. Or have I been mislead?

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This is true; however, some times they can still get to the point and need to be expressed regardless. But having a nice diet with solid hard poos does help to "naturally" express the anal sack.

their bowel movements are firm, and if the breed is not genetically prone to problems, then anal gland expression will not be a problem.

The larger breeds especially Labs are prone to anal gland problems due to the massive amount of tissue/muscle interfering with self-expression.

I think all of you have helped me alot!!!!!!!! Wolfsoul, I will try a groomer. Groomers do that automatically? Who would of thought that. Jessika, dragondawg, Giselle, thanks for your replies.:D ;)

Chica's mom

I better go get Guapo checked out! He has been dragging his butt on the floor lately.......:eek: :eek: :(

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Originally posted by Chica
I think all of you have helped me alot!!!!!!!! Wolfsoul, I will try a groomer. Groomers do that automatically? Who would of thought that. Jessika, dragondawg, Giselle, thanks for your replies.:D ;)

Chica's mom

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Most groomers won't do it automatically unless you ask them to do it. ;D

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Originally posted by Jessika
Most groomers won't do it automatically unless you ask them to do it. ;D

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For all of the groomers around here, it's regular protocol. I would assume that it would be the same elsewhere. :confused:

Thank you Wolfsoul. How much does a groomer charge for that procedure? Also, how much do they charge to give Chica a bath?
I know it will be approximate amounts, but I would like to know the ballpark figure.:) Chica's mom

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Originally posted by wolfsoul
For all of the groomers around here, it's regular protocol. I would assume that it would be the same elsewhere. :confused:

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Well its better to not assume it will be done without asking, because eventhough they "say" its "regular protocol" doesn't mean they do it. I know a lot of groomers won't do it unless the owner specifically asks for it. ;P

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Originally posted by Jessika
Well its better to not assume it will be done without asking, because eventhough they "say" its "regular protocol" doesn't mean they do it. I know a lot of groomers won't do it unless the owner specifically asks for it. ;P

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ditto



The price of bathing, anal sac expression varies wuite a but from groomer to groomer & by location.
Your best bet is to call your local groomers & get quotes.

I would say that for a chi. to get a bath & anal glans emptied it would be about $40-$65 average.

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Originally posted by lv4dogs

I would say that for a chi. to get a bath & anal glans emptied it would be about $40-$65 average.

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That sounds really expensive. :confused: Where I work it would only be $15. $65 is what it would cost to get a standard poodle bathed, dried, and completely groomed.

Where do you work? A large chain or a smaller private business?

I know that larger chains (petsmart etc...) are cheaper.

Also I am in the states, you are in BC, maybe that make a difference?

I know for me to get Nanook groomed (he is bigger & fluffier but kept clean) the cheapest I can find is $75 (not including petsmart, petco etc... Its just me personally but I won't bring my dogs there). And that only includes the bath, no extras no anal glands or nails etc...

Thank you everyone for your help. ;) I will check arouond my area to have Chica taken care of by a groomer. :)

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Originally posted by lv4dogs
Where do you work? A large chain or a smaller private business?

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I work at a private business. :) Wow, $75 for a husky, for only a bath? :eek: At my work, we won't do just a bath -- we always have to bath and do glands, blowdry, and then groom and nails (unless the owner asked for one of these things not to be done --- there's this crazy lady that comes in with her disheviled dog that only ever wants a bath. The thing's nails are SO long!). For a husky at my work it would be around $32-34 if the dog wasn't badly matted.

Also, for only the anal glands done without anything else at my work would cost $4. :) I don't know about other places though, I had no idea that other places could charge so much!

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Originally posted by wolfsoul
I work at a private business. :) Wow, $75 for a husky, for only a bath? :eek: At my work, we won't do just a bath

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Well actually they brush him too sometimes dry him but someplaces blowdrying is extra. Noears, nails or glans included, all extra.

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Originally posted by lv4dogs


I would say that for a chi. to get a bath & anal glans emptied it would be about $40-$65 average.

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:eek: :eek:

We charge $23 for a chihuahua I think...includes bath, nail trim, ears cleaned and anal glands. I work at Petco.
We're one of the more expensive groomers in my area too.

I know many people do not like Petco and Petsmart but I have honestly heard much worse things about the private groomers around here than anyone else (and we get plenty of complaints about Petsmart.)

It's gross, but it has to be done