Quote:
Originally Posted by Ellie May  I am asking because it is okay to express if they need it but if they don't, you could start something that didn't need to be done in the first place and you may have to continue doing it then. The fluid will just build up again and if they get emptied too often, the sphincter (I think it is) can weaken. So I'm not saying not to do it but I would just try not to do it constantly and make it a habit if it isn't necessary (in some dogs it may be though). |
Hi Brooke - I'm just back from vacation and catching up
. Poor Steady
!
I totally agree with Crystal here. I don't know how this came to be in the dog world, but a lot of folks have come to think that dogs automatically need their glands expressed and they definitely don't (automatically, that is). But, they can set their dogs up for a lifetime of needing it once the vets/groomers start doing it without it being necessary (MANY groomers do it every time, without it being necessary).
Unless there is something physically wrong in the anal area -or- if they are on the wrong diet, there really is no reason the glands should not empty on their own (and/or barely fill at all really).
Isn't Steady on NV Raw? If so, his poos should be nice and hard and small - so the poo should be "pushing" against the gland and emptying them naturally. If he is on the raw and this isn't happening - then there might be something structurally going on there. If he is eating something else and his poos are a bit less than firm, then that is probably your issue there. How does his stool appear to you (if you don't mind going there)?
Anyway, don't know if any of that helped. I do hope you find something that works. We love us our Steady and I hate to think of his little tushy bothering him - you know how Marcel's tushy suffered so much as a puppy, so I feel your pain. Let me know if I can help at all. If his area is irritated (the skin red), you can always put some diaper cream on it. Give him a kiss.