[Dara311]

Originally Posted by Spuddy

I observed my little 3 year old Spuddy scooting or dragging his little bottom around on the carpet yesterday after his evening walk. I did some research and found out that the scooting or dragging their bottom around is a result of having swollen anal glands. Now after reading up on this and the cause and remedy of expressing the glands, I found it to be gross! However, I am willing to do anything to help my little prince feel better. I didn't realize that you can express the glands yourself right at home? A vet on youtube was giving a live demonstration on how to express the glands on your dog or cat. I have to say that it looks so easy and the dog seems kind of happy to have had it done.

My only concern and fear is that I don't want to do it out of fear of hurting my little prince.

Spuddy's Mom

Please do not attempt to express the anal glands at home, or even try it after watching it on youtube!!!!! Dogs are supposed to express them themselves, example, if they get scared, they will express them, things like that...however, it is best to take him to the vet and have them do it. A lot of times, groomers will express them, but they do not do it correctly. The vet actually goes into the anus and squeezes them a certain way to extract them. If you do this on your own, and don't do it well, they can get an infection, abcess, or sometimes the anal glands can pop out, and that makes it worse. Usually, when they scoot their bums, they need to be done, since they are full...and let me tell you, when they express the glands it STINKS! Good LUck!