Anal Gland Removal

[MRichardson50]

Hello,

I have a 1 1/2 year-old Cocker Spaniel who has chronic anal gland problems. I have to have her take her to the vet at least twice a month to have her anal glands expressed. The vet has suggested surgery to remove her glands. After much research, there seems to be some concern of possible incontinence, diarrhea, etc.

Has anyone ever had any experience with this? I have Sophie scheduled for surgery this Tuesday.

Thank you for any advise you can give me.

Michelle
Michigan

[Karen]

I don't know any dog who has had it done, did you get a second opinion from another vet? This sounds like major surgery, and I wouldn't jump into it without at least one more vet's opinion, were it me.

[MRichardson50]

Yes, I have had three opinions, two are okay with it and one was not. I had a rescue cocker spaniel that I took in when he was 10-years-old and he did not have a problem when his glands had to be removed, but I'm concerned because Sophie is just over a year old.

[Freedom]

I have heard that incontinence is a high risk with this surgery.

Have they explained just what the problem IS?

With my Tasha, she is very "well developed" and her stools tend to be too small to press the glands and clear them naturally. My vet told me to bulk up her stools, using canned pumpkin. (NOT canned pumpkin pie filling, that includes spices and other things). I give her 2 tablespoon twice a week with her meals and this has worked for 2 years now with no needed manual expression.

[lizbud]

I had it sone with my dog Buddy and my Daughter has also had her
dogs(one male & one female) done. The Vet who did the surgeries was
our family Vet for 20+ years. None of the dogs ever had a problems after-
wards.

I did notice here at PT that not many people had experience with the
practice, but our family Vet advised it for some patients & did the surgery
when the dogs were spayed or neutered. It wasn't considered a major
surgery & we (or the dogs) never had any problems.