I went through it with Raustyk for almost 4 years. Since I switched her to Nutro NC & her anal gland problems (and MANY other problems) went away. I don't know what you feed her but you could try another food or add something with fiber, canned pumpkin helps and I think green beans may too.

You can also learn to do this at home. It is a stinky procedure but one that is very very simple! I am sure your vet will be happy to show you how. Rubber gloves, paper towel & something like skunk off is all you will need.

I know it can become annoying but if you empty them at the very first sign they shouldn't become infected and it won't result in any other problems with your dog like a sore, red, irritated bum, etc... Personally I would never even think about removing the anal glands. The procedure is too risky, one itty bitty slip or even if your dogs nerves are placed a little off or even in some dogs just irritating the area can make them have no bowel control for the rest of their lives.

The removal of the anal sacs is a very complicated surgery and not many vets will preform the surgery either. There are many local nerves controlling fecal continence, the fact that any change in the local musculature of the anal sphincter area can affect fecal continence, and the fact that with chronic anal sac problems anatomy is distorted. The surgery is litterally just a centimeter away from the nerves which if accidentally cut your dog will loose control of his bowel movements forever.

I have seen a few dogs have the surgrey and every single on of them had some sort of problems, one lost control of his bowel movements, a few took months of healing, very painful, some needed to be re-sutured.

If surgery is the option you choose to take please make sure you choose a veterinarian with extensive experience with anal sacculectomy to perform it.