Sorry girls but I have a gross question.

[my2boyz]

Gee...I hate to even ask a question like this...

Can anyone tell me, without getting too discriptive, what should come out (color and consistancy) when you clean a dog's anal glands?

[FlDebra]

It is a black tarry like substance that smells worse than you imagine it will. I have only had anything come out of my dachshund when she got older and had a problem. I have never done it with the yorkies. I have asked at vet and they never needed it.
Do not do it just to be doing it. If all works as it is supposed to, they don't need help with this.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

It is a black tarry like substance that smells worse than you imagine it will. I have only had anything come out of my dachshund when she got older and had a problem. I have never done it with the yorkies. I have asked at vet and they never needed it.
Do not do it just to be doing it. If all works as it is supposed to, they don't need help with this.

I've never done it either, and fortunately haven't experienced what you described!

[my2boyz]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

Do not do it just to be doing it.

You're kidding, right? I haven't done it myself...the groomer does their glands or they get them done by the vet. However, I am asking for a reason.

[kjc]

I think most normal is consistancy and color of melted chocolate, but a tad thicker. My 13 Year old expresses nuclear green, even after AB's. Some are watery dark or light brown, some have dark or light specks in it, some are cream colored and slimey. Some of the Techs use dental rinse on a gauze to wipe the butt afterwards to kill the odor. I don't get where ppl say once you start expressing the glands, you'll have to do it all the time. If they are clogged and filled, if they are not expressed, they can burst and require surgery. My older guy has occassional problems with his, I may have to express them 3 times or so over the course of 2-3 weeks, and then they return to normal for months until he gets clogged again. I wouldn't risk not expressing them when they need it.

Also wanted to mention a lot of dogs will try to hide under furniture or in a corner when their glands are bothering them, some get shakey, and act real nervous and don't want to be touched or petted.

From:http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...rge-color.html

[Nancy1999]

Joey had a problem when he was a puppy, and scooting on the floor told me he had a problem. The vet showed me how to do it, and when he did it, he got a lot of stuff out; I didn't examine it though. About a month later, Joey was scooting again and I tried doing it, I didn't get that much out, 1/2 tsp maybe ?, and it was clear and slightly yellow. It smelled a little fishy, but not over the top - gross. You can look at the area and see if it looks a little poofy, but I would want a vet to show you how to do it because if you do it the wrong way, you can push the contents further up, which can lead to more problems. I agree with the others, there is no need to do it regularly, on most dogs, but it doesn't hurt to check the area regularly.

[my2boyz]

Originally Posted by kjc

I think most normal is consistancy and color of melted chocolate, but a tad thicker. My 13 Year old expresses nuclear green, even after AB's. Some are watery dark or light brown, some have dark or light specks in it, some are cream colored and slimey. Some of the Techs use dental rinse on a gauze to wipe the butt afterwards to kill the odor. I don't get where ppl say once you start expressing the glands, you'll have to do it all the time. If they are clogged and filled, if they are not expressed, they can burst and require surgery. My older guy has occassional problems with his, I may have to express them 3 times or so over the course of 2-3 weeks, and then they return to normal for months until he gets clogged again. I wouldn't risk not expressing them when they need it.

Also wanted to mention a lot of dogs will try to hide under furniture or in a corner when their glands are bothering them, some get shakey, and act real nervous and don't want to be touched or petted.

From:http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...rge-color.html

Thank you. Now, when should a person be concerned? I ask because Moo had a thick, greenish matter when hers were done and Maddie Jo was totally different.

One vet said Moo had an infection that could go away on it's own and the other vet said she was normal.

[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by my2boyz

You're kidding, right? I haven't done it myself...the groomer does their glands or they get them done by the vet. However, I am asking for a reason.

what she means is that unless you have a valid reason to be expressing them it is NOT healthy for a dog to have their glands expressed. the only time they should ever be expressed is if they are having trouble or unable to express them on their own. expressing them without needing to can cause problems and a lifetime of always having to express them manually when naturally they should do it on their own without help. hope that makes sense

[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by my2boyz

You're kidding, right? I haven't done it myself...the groomer does their glands or they get them done by the vet. However, I am asking for a reason.

No, not kidding. I believe this is not something that needs done on a normal basis. If a dog has a problem, the glands are full, then express -- otherwise, leave them alone. A dog that needs them done may drag their hiney on the carpet. They may also smell bad even when clean on the outside. You can gently squeeze during baths and if they need expressed, you will see immediately a discharge. I do not agree with the groomers that do it routinely, squeezing hard until they get something. I think this can aggravate and cause problems. I have had my vet check just to make sure I am not missing anything and he agrees -- let mother nature take care of business UNLESS there is a problem.

BTW -- dark chocolately brown may be a better description than black as I originally said. I think I hate associating my favorite dark chocolate with this stuff. Black tar seemed a better example, but it was not a true black. Sounds like the color can vary as much as their poop can. Makes sense!

[Sammy Mommy]

My beagle would have a problem with this. His discharge was like an amber color and had an awful smell!!

[Ellie May]

There isn't one color that is normal. Green or red would concern me. Ellie's is usually brownish.

[my2boyz]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

No, not kidding. I believe this is not something that needs done on a normal basis. If a dog has a problem, the glands are full, then express -- otherwise, leave them alone. A dog that needs them done may drag their hiney on the carpet. They may also smell bad even when clean on the outside. You can gently squeeze during baths and if they need expressed, you will see immediately a discharge. I do not agree with the groomers that do it routinely, squeezing hard until they get something. I think this can aggravate and cause problems. I have had my vet check just to make sure I am not missing anything and he agrees -- let mother nature take care of business UNLESS there is a problem.

BTW -- dark chocolately brown may be a better description than black as I originally said. I think I hate associating my favorite dark chocolate with this stuff. Black tar seemed a better example, but it was not a true black.

I DON'T make a habit of expressing their glands...they normally take care of it on their own but it's done at the groomer when it's needed...I have been grooming them at home and Moo started 'cleaning' her tush so I took her to the vet.

[my2boyz]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

There isn't one color that is normal. Green or red would concern me. Ellie's is usually brownish.

O.k...Moo had a greenish color that was thick. The first vet said it was an infection that should clear up on it's own. The second vet said she was fine but could be out of adjustment so we should do another chiropractic adjustment on her. Neither vet seemed too concerned...or at least...not enough to give her anything. I have had her rechecked by the second vet, still thick and greenish, but she thinks she is normal.

Should I go somewhere else? I don't want to ignore this if it can become a problem for her but I don't want to give her medicine if she doesn't need it either. What antibiotic should be given? If this is infection can it spread to other areas?

I don't like seeing my babies uncomfortable and this just isn't setting well with me.

[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by my2boyz

I DON'T make a habit of expressing their glands...they normally take care of it on their own but it's done at the groomer when it's needed...I have been grooming them at home and Moo started 'cleaning' her tush so I took her to the vet.

I am sorry! I did not mean to offend -- I misunderstood when you asked, "Are you kidding?" There actually has been disagreement by some who think routine expression is normal and those that think it should only be done when there is a problem. That is why I replied as I did at first. Sorry, I didn't just assume there was a previously-identified problem or that you had taken to the vet. I could not know that from the first post. I really am sorry if you took my suggestions as anything other than elaborating on a question posed. Merry Christmas

[Ellie May]

I am just going to be totally honest here. If a vet told me that my dog may need a chiro adjustment b/c of an anal gland issue, I would not even consider that an opinion.

Whether or not to get another opinion would depend on the vet that says she is fine. If you think they are trustworthy, go with it. If you have doubts, get another opinion. I would not be comfortable with green discharge either, but I would let Ellie's vet's word be the deciding factor. You sound uncomfortable. No reason to not see someone else.

A lot of times the antibiotic is given in the area instead of systemically. If the vet did think it was an infection and it is still green, I'd want the antibiotic too personally.