about abby's anal glands

[lizbud]

Wowzers, with all the years experience I have with vets and animals alike I have never heard of a vet offering it as an option at time of spay/neuter. In fact most vets don't even reccomend it until the dog has had a problem for at least 2-4+ years & has tried every other option available. I was already shocked by the fact that abbersmom's vet had already mentioned it but then when I read your post I just about keeled over. lol

Well you learn something new everyday don't you. This Vet lived & worked in Indianapolis. My daughter also used this Vet for her two dogs.
He had a very good practice for 30 years before retiring & selling the
practice to another younger Vet.I hated to see him retire.

[abbersmom]

We started her on the pumpkin...she thinks it's the greatest treat she has ever had!

[sanford8916]

How much canned pumpkin do you give to a 45 lb dog to help with the anal glands?

[Catlady711]

At our hospital we usually try other alternatives (ie. teaching owner to express glands themselves, medication, or diet) before we'd even suggest such a surgery. However when the glands become impacted or cronically infected, despite other alternatives, then we do recommend surgery to our clients.

In the 6 years I've been there, I've only seen about 6 anal gland removal surgeries, so no it's not the vets specality, however in the ones that's been done we've had only 1 that chewed and we had to re-suture (owner would not keep the e-collar on, and did not call us saying she had a problem until the area was badly infected a WEEK later), and one that a year later had the other gland impacted and we had to go back in to remove that one (dog has been problem free since then), the other dogs had no complications and have had no problems since.

My recommendation would be, that if you are hesitant, seek a second opinion. A good vet should not have a problem with you wanting to seek reassurance (as the pet's bets interests should be first) or a possible alternative treatment that he/she may not know about. Vets do attend seminars and such to keep on top of the latest treatments available in the field, however he/she could not possibly go to every seminar and keep up with the vast amount of information out there.

Good luck