I am so glad I started this discussion!
The first time I did express the glads was when my dog was 'scooting'. The fluid was yellow and did not squirt out more of a sort of oozing, so I took him to the vet the next day because I thought the fluid could be pus. My vet confirmed that there was no infection just normal anal fluid and she showed me how to fully express the fluid so there is none left in there. I don't do it unless I see him 'scooting'. He does have firm normal stools and eats a high fiber diet free from grain.
Not long after this vet visit I got a call from my best friend in Italy to tell me that her Yorkie had had surgery that day for impacted anal glands. She did not even know there were glads there and had no idea why he was scooting so she just bathed his bottom in warm water. That night he became really distressed and ended up at the emergency vet.
So in conclusion I think some dogs produce more fluid than others and all of it is not expressed naturally. Rather than a painful experience and emergency surgery I prefer to gently check if they are full and express them if required. |