:o Embarrassing Question!! :o

**Cookiebaker** · 04-18-2003, 10:31 PM

I have heard about "anal glands" and them needing to be "expressed". Is this something that should/needs to be done on a regular basis or only when a dog has a problem? Is it typically the vet that does this sort of thing??

**Cincy'sMom** · 04-18-2003, 11:17 PM

I think glands noramlly express themselves. Sometimes, this is does happen, and it needs to be done for them. A vet can do it, or they can show you how to do it, esp if it needs to be done regularly.

**Logan** · 04-19-2003, 05:51 AM

Some dogs have a bad problem, others never have any problems. If you see your dog "scooting" it's bottom on the ground, he might have a problem. My vet has never had to do this with my dogs, but when they go to the groomers, it is automatically done. I don't think I want to learn to do it!!

I have read that feeding a bit of pumpkin can help dogs that have problems. In really bad cases, sometimes they will remove those glands. I think Aly can tell you more as Reese has had problems in the past (hope he isn't now). But one of my friends, who has a Golden Retriever, had to have her dog's sacs removed about two weeks ago. Thankfully, she is doing just fine now.

Logan

**mish1000** · 04-19-2003, 11:58 AM

I was told that anal glands should be expressed about every 30 days. Usually this is done when the dog gets groomed. Dont bet on it though, because my mother dog's groomer sometimes "forgets" to do this. It is a messy job, and should be done right before their bath. If the dog is scooting on the floor, the glands need done. I take my baby to my school, where the animal management teacher takes care of her, so I know they are taken care of. As messy as it may sound, I would do it if I had to as it's needed for good health. The book "Puppy's for dummies" has a section that discusses this issue. Good Luck!

**jenluckenbach** · 04-19-2003, 08:27 PM

Gland can be expressed by your vet or groomer. I am a groomer and we only do it on request, or when it is very obviously in need of doing. I was under the understanding (and I am not an expert here) that if a person expresses them too regularly, they tend to stop expressing themselves the natural way. That is why we only do it on request, because the owner know the dog best, and they should know if their dog can't express them the natural way. I would not recommend doing it yourself without being taught, but you can feel for them to jugde if you need to have them done or not. If you lift the dogs tail straight up, and then place your thumb and index finger on either side of the rectum, if you feel bumps under the skin at these points, ask someone to express them. They should not feel full.

**Karen** · 04-19-2003, 09:17 PM

We have never had to do this on any of the family's dogs, and they never went to a groomer either (though Dad often threatened to take Gracie the Great Dane to the groomer who advertised "fluff dry" and ask her to fluff Gracie!). If your dog isn;t having a problem, no scooting or any other symptoms, I wouldn't worry about it.

The family dogs I refer to are a Shepherd mix, two Saint Bernards, a Husky/Lab mix (Nilla, belongs to my big brother), two Great Dane mixes, and a Lab/Dalmatian mix (little brother's dog.)

Maybe it is more common in some breeds than others ... does anyone know?

**Cookiebaker** · 04-19-2003, 09:21 PM

Thanks for the info. everyone. I don't think we have had any problems (no scooting or anything) so I'm not going to worry about it.

I'm thinking that this may explain some funny smells that sometimes are emitted *gak*

**micki76** · 04-19-2003, 10:03 PM

Originally posted by Cookiebaker
I'm thinking that this may explain some funny smells that sometimes are emitted *gak*

Yeah, that's probably it. YUCK!! Chester expresses his quite often, usually in high stress situations or when another dog is around. The anal glands are supposed to be stinky; it's a way of marking territory.

Sometimes Chester jumps into my lap and I just gag and I know it's time to throw him in the sink and wash off his 'lil hiney!

**lovemyshiba** · 04-20-2003, 07:56 AM

I don't know if it is partial to certain breeds, but friends of mine have 2 labs, and were instructed by their vet on how to do it, when they see the dogs "scooting"--they usually just take them to the vet to have him do it.

**Cisco's Mom** · 04-20-2003, 08:42 AM

I have talked to my vet about this in the past, because when Cisco gets too excited or scared he will express his glands. Yes, it can be stinky! The vet told me that he didn't belive in expressing glands without having a real medical issue. He said that this is normal for dogs. I have never seen Cisco scoot, but for sure he has expressed himself. So I just don't worry about it. I do think regular bathing can help.

**slleipnir** · 04-21-2003, 12:51 AM

Lol ah, anal glands..the thing Josie became horribly afraid of the vet over. They do normally express themselves but if they don't they become irrating and the dog drags its butt along the ground..thats when they should be done by a vet. Some dogs don't mind it and others, like Josie, hated it :[

**wolf_Q** · 04-21-2003, 01:24 AM

We're supposed to express (or at least feel) the anal glands of every dog that comes in. If they feel impacted or the dog acts like it's in pain, we refer them to a vet.

It seems to me that smaller dogs have a much worse problem with it vs. larger dogs...it's not very often I see a large dog that needs it done....

**stacwase** · 04-21-2003, 02:02 PM

I had a little terrier mix who had problems with her anal glands. They'd swell up and she'd get constipated. The vet expressed them for her.

**Cheshirekatt** · 04-21-2003, 02:20 PM

Normally these glads are expressed when they defecate, but it seems to me like overweight dogs have more of a problem with them. Some dogs just have problems with them, while other dogs will never have a problem. Yes, it is smelly, smelly stuff. My boyfriend refers to it as the a$$ juice....as in, "Ahhhhh! Did Wilma just a$$ juice my chair?!?" *gak*