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Originally Posted by BabyFidgette  I've heard a rumor that once they get it done they usually always have to. I could be wrong! In Baby's case, she has to always have it done even though her poops are not too soft, not too hard.  |
Yes, that is a rumor. As with anything else, all dogs are different. Some dogs are born with faulty or problematic anal glands, and may be prone to impactions (the stuff developes into a very thick and sometimes hard pastey substance that will not express on their own) or the glands can abcess, which results in a painful lump that eventually bursts through the skin, instead of coming out the normal way through the rectum, along with the poop. Abcessed and sometimes impacted anal glands usually require surgical intervention in order to heal correctly.
Diet, illness, level of activity and/or allergies can affect anal gland function. The anal glands themselves can become infected. If the dog experiences fear to the level of fight or flight, the anal glands can spontaneously release. This can also happen during playtime, or if something startles the dog.
One reason anal glands can be difficult to express is that the gland itself can shift position or roll. If the gland opening is against the skin or blocked, it could burst before it will empty. If you try to express a gland, and it won't, release your grip and try again, rather than continuing to exert pressure on the gland. This applies to both the internal and external methods of expression. It can be very hard to express the glands of a dog that is not relaxed, so it's important to be very calm and reassuring while you're doing it.
Dogs with chronic, ongoing anal gland problems may benefit from a diet change, or by the addition of more fiber to the diet.
It is important to know the signs of anal gland problems. This can be different for each dog, as each dog's level of tolerance is different. Examples: My Tinkerbell has low tolerance, as soon as her anal glands become partially full, she gets uncomfortable, shows lack of appetite, she gets grumpy and antisocial, shakes and will hide usually under a piece of furniture. She does not normally scoot, which is common for many dogs to do. She may strain when trying to poop, but not always. I've noticed her poops tend to look thinner than normal when she has a problem with her glands.
When I first adopted Tink, her kennel card at the Humane Society stated that her anal glands needed to be expressed twice weekly! I took her home, and forgot all about it, thinking I'd recognize the symptoms and would take care of it then. After a month had passed, I remembered reading the card, and thought OMGosh, I better check. So I did, and she was fine. In her case, I'm thinking a better quality of food may have been the solution for her.
I used the same vet as the previous owner, and she swears she was on the phone with this owner, who was in tears, because Tink's anal glands were continually dripping all over the house, and they couldn't figure out why. The household had 6 kids under the age of 11 years, and all Tink knew how to do was play, 24/7. My household was totally the opposite, all kids grown, and a calmer environment all around. This was the only thing we could attribute it to, that and her diet change. I've had her since 2009, and I've expressed her anal glands less than 5 times.
All dog owners need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of non-functioning anal glands, as when caught early on, surgery can be avoided. Bathtime is a good time to get into the habit of checking the glands, it should be considered part of the normal maintenaince done, same as bathing, brushing the teeth, cleaning ears and eyes, combing the hair, and trimming nails.
Sorry about the book, lol...
