This anal gland thing...

[lreiley]

We took Scarlett to a new groomer who told my husband that she did not express anal glands and that you should not do this because dogs do it themselves, and if you do it (not that I would-I'd take her to someone!) the dog will forget how to do it herself. Is this true?

[GeorgiesMomma]

From what I understand that isn't true. Georgie has never expressed them himself. We have the groomer do it.

[Wylie's Mom]

We never express our kiddo's glands (nor do they go to a groomer and have it done). Unless there is something wrong with your kiddo's glands, she should be able to express them herself. There is no real reason to have your groomer do this unless there is medical reason the dog can't do it herself.

[Teresiana]

I sort of agree with your groomer. I don't actually think your dog will "forget" how to express their anal glands. From what I know, anal glad expression is just something a dog's body does on it's own...it's more of a bodily function rather than something they have to think about doing. If their poops are solid & well-formed, the anal gands express on their own over time...not all at once, so you won't ever notice anything come out. I do feel my dog's anal glands about once a month during bath time. Although I do agree that you should leave the anal glands alone unless there is a medical reason to express them, I have expressed 2 of my dog's anal glands once. I've never done it for my 3rd. Scooting or biting the bum is usually a sign of impacted anal glands. Also, an intense yucky fishy odor (hard to describe the smell) is a sign as well. If you feel uncomfortable about checking them yourself, you can ask your vet to check anal glands during any visit. It's a quick 3 second check. Personally, I'd feel more comfortable having my vet do it over my groomer...but that's just me.

[mimimomo]

Vets and Groomers, Be Aware of Pet Anal Gland Problems

[ironmike86]

I had a Pom that had anal gland problems. It ruptured twice. But he has small and didn't eat much. Other then not having an appetite he was very active and health . He live to 13yrs and would have lived longer if it wasn't for the accident. But after his first rupture I had him expressed every year. I had a Yorkie that had a rupture when he was 5 yrs old. But could have been the food? Dunno.

[gumbysuz]

Thanks for the article reference, Jenny. I will definitely speak to Dori's groomer about this. We don't have issues, but I certainly don't want to start any!

[Mgmena]

Yes anal glands are expressed when they poop and that's why their poop has such a strong smell.but with today's diets dogs can sometimes not express them so well so we have to express them to avoid infections. Whichever groomer that told you that should not be grooming. They are supposed to be expressed. Lets say you feed your dog wet food and your dog does not poop very solid so if its not solid enough it won't express its glands and that fluid starts to turn hard and then it can cause infection or pain that's why some dogs scoot their behinds on carpets or the floor because it bothers them. Every dog and cat should have their anal glands expressed to avoid any health concerns.

[lreiley]

Can one actually see these glands on casual observation? Oh lawd, guess i have to go to Youtube.

[GeorgiesMomma]

I don't know if you can see them. I was always under the assumption they expressed their anal glands themselves because our Boxer did. However, about 4 years ago I noticed all of the sudden Georgie wasn't wagging his tail (he does that like a mad man) so I went to lift his tail up and he yelped. To the vet we went and I found out his anal glands were infected. Since that point we just have our groomer do it to be sure.

[dollydoodle]

Originally Posted by lreiley

Can one actually see these glands on casual observation? Oh lawd, guess i have to go to Youtube.

Oh yes, you'll get quite an education on them on Youtube!

[Sammy Mommy]

Our beagle, Benji had that problem. He was never groomed, we bathed him ourselves, so whenever he had a problem the vet took care of it. The vet asked what he was eating and we told him Mighty Dog. He said alot of dogs that ate Mighty Dog had anal gland problems. We switched dog foods (I don't remember to what, it was a long time ago) and he didn't have the problem again.

[Mgmena]

I am a groomer and small breeds are the ones that mostly have to have their anal glands expressed. Big dogs seem to not have a problem expressing them. And yes you can see the anal glands and under those little two pea size holes you can feel how full are their glands.

[ShowGirlLola]

Originally Posted by Sammy Mommy

The vet asked what he was eating and we told him Mighty Dog. He said alot of dogs that ate Mighty Dog had anal gland problems. We switched dog foods (I don't remember to what, it was a long time ago) and he didn't have the problem again.

That surprises me, the 4 dogs I grew up with ate 1/2 can of mighty dog a night and they never had a problem. I'm not sure if the others ate it or not.

My family has had 9 dogs and my aunt and cousin have had 5, none of them had anal gland issues. 3 of those dogs are medium sized, the rest are small. We didn't even know anal glands existed until a few years ago.

I'd leave them alone unless there's a problem.

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by Mgmena

Yes anal glands are expressed when they poop and that's why their poop has such a strong smell.but with today's diets dogs can sometimes not express them so well so we have to express them to avoid infections. Whichever groomer that told you that should not be grooming. They are supposed to be expressed. Lets say you feed your dog wet food and your dog does not poop very solid so if its not solid enough it won't express its glands and that fluid starts to turn hard and then it can cause infection or pain that's why some dogs scoot their behinds on carpets or the floor because it bothers them. Every dog and cat should have their anal glands expressed to avoid any health concerns.

Glad to see another groomer/ pet lover!
I have to chime in, not every dog & cat needs to have their anal glands expressed. I have 4 Yorkies & only 1 needs to have her's expressed (once or twice a month), all my other 3 do not. They all have firm stools, I check every bowel movement x's 4 loll.
The groomer should check the anal glands by feeling it & if they feel full, it can be expressed. If they're not, no need to express them, it will cause more problems trying to express an anal gland that doesn't need expression. Yes, toy breeds are more susceptible to having problems emptying their anal glands, so adding fiber to their diet is a good idea. Like frozen thawed green beans, fruits & veggies. My guys are on a grain free diet bc grains gives them softer stool. Soft stool=anal gland issues.