Question????? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

blykmyk44 · 07-10-2005, 08:56 AM

What does it mean when they scoot their butts on the floor. Is that a sign of worms?

LvMyYorki · 07-10-2005, 08:57 AM

First make sure there are no poopies stuck to them under their tail. I have also heard that the anal glands may need to be expressed.... I would not try this at home! I'd have the vet do it.

Did you see any worms in the poop?

blykmyk44 · 07-10-2005, 09:00 AM

i didnt see any.. what does it mean when the "anal glands are expressed"?

SWEETPEA · 07-10-2005, 09:04 AM

I Dont Know How To Explain It. But, The Vet Usually Does It. Sorry No Help

LvMyYorki · 07-10-2005, 09:05 AM

Here is info from a vet that can describe it waaaay better than me!

Question: Dear Dr. Richards

I have a question regarding the anal glands. When is it appropriate to bring your pet in to the vet to clean out the glands. If it is done too much is it a problem for your pet? Is it a sign that they need to be cleaned out when a dog scoots their butt on the ground?

Many thanks,

Lauren

Answer: Lauren-

I am not aware of any problems associated with expressing the anal sacs frequently. We have had one patient in the past who seemed to need his anal sacs expressed every 2 weeks or so and we have one currently who probably needs this done about once every 3 weeks or so. Some dogs never need to have their anal sacs expressed in their entire lifetime.

The difficulty really is in figuring out whether the sacs need to be expressed at any time. Symptoms that indicate that they should be expressed include scooting the rear end on the ground, licking or chewing at the area around the rectum or any other sign of discomfort in this region. Some of my clients seem to be able to tell by odor when their dog's anal sacs need to be expressed, apparently because the dog expresses small amounts of the anal sac exudate but can't fully express the sac on their own by scooting or during bowel movements. Anytime that you see signs that the anal sacs are irritated it is a good idea to have them checked out.

If anal sacs aren't expressed and the dog can't express them on its own they may rupture. When this happens there is usually a draining tract about 2 inches below the rectum and about 1 inch from away from the rectum on whichever side the anal sac ruptured on.

Lots of dogs can express their anal sacs by scooting their rear end on the ground. If they do this once or twice and then the behavior stops it may be that they have successfully emptied the sac. If the behavior goes on longer than that it is probably a good idea to have your vet check things out.

Many of my clients have learned to express the anal sacs themselves but until you have a good idea when it is necessary it is best to have your vet check your dog to be sure that is the problem.

Mike Richards, DVM
1/4/2005

LvMyYorki · 07-10-2005, 09:07 AM

Here is another link that explains them in great detail as well...

http://www.barkbytes.com/medical/med0029.htm

red98vett · 07-10-2005, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blykmyk44

What does it mean when they scoot their butts on the floor. Is that a sign of worms?

Everyone's right - it COULD be worms but lots of times it's the anal glands - I had a cocker that needed that done every few months and ALWAYS had the vet do it - with yorkies, it might not be as bad...but I gagged when they did it the first time and ran out of the room.

I was braver for the next times - but it's almost better to WATCH them do it first before attempting yourself. oh...do it in the bathtub if you do learn.

Good luck with your baby's little itchy butt.

txshopper73 · 07-10-2005, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red98vett

Everyone's right - it COULD be worms but lots of times it's the anal glands - I had a cocker that needed that done every few months and ALWAYS had the vet do it - with yorkies, it might not be as bad...but I gagged when they did it the first time and ran out of the room.

I was braver for the next times - but it's almost better to WATCH them do it first before attempting yourself. oh...do it in the bathtub if you do learn.

Good luck with your baby's little itchy butt.

LOL! You crack me up!!! But I agree. You should have a vet do this. My old groomer use to do it and she told me that if you don't know what you are doing, you could really injure the dog. All I know is that you start behind the rectum and squeeze as you pull outward. The stuff in the anal sacs are like poop mixed with mucus. It has an odor to it and can be extremely gross.

I remember volunteering at a groomer's while I was younger...a donation drive for the humane society...and the groomer kept telling me that I needed to express their glands. When I finally got the courage to do it, I couldn't get this dog's glands to express. The groomer did it while I watched and it was green, slimy goop that popped out of there. VERY NASTY!!!

red98vett · 07-10-2005, 12:27 PM

Kimberly -I never got close enough for the visual - thank you girl - that SOUNDS like what it smelled like !! Eeewwwwwww

Ilovebaby · 07-10-2005, 01:07 PM

Just wanted to say that just because there weren't worms in the poop, doesn't mean there aren't worms. Tapeworms often appear on the anus and you can see them, while other worms appear in the feces. I have also been told, (I'm no professional here) that there are some worms that aren't visible in poop. So good luck!

LIL MIS' MAGIC · 07-10-2005, 01:26 PM

When we first got Magic we were told that if they rub their butts it means they probably have worms but we quickly found out that that is rarely true...usually it means that the anals need to be expressed (which the vet does) or that they have a clig on....Salior does it sometimes after she has been to the groomer, like her butt itches!!!

Our vet also told us, that if you don't have their anals expressed, they will eventually do it themsleves by rubbing their butts on the floor constantly, but I would not recommend this as I would not want that stuff all over the carpet!!!

Sherry Lynn · 07-10-2005, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red98vett

Kimberly -I never got close enough for the visual - thank you girl - that SOUNDS like what it smelled like !! Eeewwwwwww

Not to take this too far, but I have to ask...

When they scoot around on the floor, are they leaving the Eeewwwww stuff behind on the carpet??

Saragp · 07-10-2005, 04:54 PM

no, usually nothing comes out when they scoot. it just irritates them, like itching, and then the scoot to 'scratch' it. if you get your pup groomed, the groomer can do it for you. they prefer to do it when bathing the dog so they can wash it off after. go figure!

LvMyYorki · 07-10-2005, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherry Lynn

Not to take this too far, but I have to ask...

When they scoot around on the floor, are they leaving the Eeewwwww stuff behind on the carpet??

It sounds like it though from reading what the vet said in my earlier post!

Rinneygirl · 04-30-2006, 09:13 PM

is it possible that my 4 mth old yorkie/maltese mix scooted b/c she had poo stuck to the hair around her bum? She's only scooted 1 or 2 times since i got her. I don't think she needs anything expressed. I'd like to avoid this if possible. What could happen if they need to be expressed but aren't? I read in a thread that they could rupture, but what happens if the sacs rupture? Is it problematic for the dog?

07-10-2005, 08:56 AM	#1
blykmyk44 YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 388	Question????? What does it mean when they scoot their butts on the floor. Is that a sign of worms?

07-10-2005, 08:57 AM	#2
LvMyYorki Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 1,181	First make sure there are no poopies stuck to them under their tail. I have also heard that the anal glands may need to be expressed.... I would not try this at home! I'd have the vet do it. Did you see any worms in the poop? __________________ Tara, Tino & Diva Bunny Diva Bunny: http://www.dogster.com/?141104 Rudolph Valentino: http://www.dogster.com/?76963

07-10-2005, 09:04 AM	#4
SWEETPEA My Little Princess Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: SUNNY,FLORIDA Posts: 2,764	I Dont Know How To Explain It. But, The Vet Usually Does It. Sorry No Help __________________ RACHEL & MISTY

07-10-2005, 09:05 AM	#5
LvMyYorki Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 1,181	Here is info from a vet that can describe it waaaay better than me! Question: Dear Dr. Richards I have a question regarding the anal glands. When is it appropriate to bring your pet in to the vet to clean out the glands. If it is done too much is it a problem for your pet? Is it a sign that they need to be cleaned out when a dog scoots their butt on the ground? Many thanks, Lauren Answer: Lauren- I am not aware of any problems associated with expressing the anal sacs frequently. We have had one patient in the past who seemed to need his anal sacs expressed every 2 weeks or so and we have one currently who probably needs this done about once every 3 weeks or so. Some dogs never need to have their anal sacs expressed in their entire lifetime. The difficulty really is in figuring out whether the sacs need to be expressed at any time. Symptoms that indicate that they should be expressed include scooting the rear end on the ground, licking or chewing at the area around the rectum or any other sign of discomfort in this region. Some of my clients seem to be able to tell by odor when their dog's anal sacs need to be expressed, apparently because the dog expresses small amounts of the anal sac exudate but can't fully express the sac on their own by scooting or during bowel movements. Anytime that you see signs that the anal sacs are irritated it is a good idea to have them checked out. If anal sacs aren't expressed and the dog can't express them on its own they may rupture. When this happens there is usually a draining tract about 2 inches below the rectum and about 1 inch from away from the rectum on whichever side the anal sac ruptured on. Lots of dogs can express their anal sacs by scooting their rear end on the ground. If they do this once or twice and then the behavior stops it may be that they have successfully emptied the sac. If the behavior goes on longer than that it is probably a good idea to have your vet check things out. Many of my clients have learned to express the anal sacs themselves but until you have a good idea when it is necessary it is best to have your vet check your dog to be sure that is the problem. Mike Richards, DVM 1/4/2005 __________________ Tara, Tino & Diva Bunny Diva Bunny: http://www.dogster.com/?141104 Rudolph Valentino: http://www.dogster.com/?76963

07-10-2005, 09:07 AM	#6
LvMyYorki Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 1,181	Here is another link that explains them in great detail as well... http://www.barkbytes.com/medical/med0029.htm __________________ Tara, Tino & Diva Bunny Diva Bunny: http://www.dogster.com/?141104 Rudolph Valentino: http://www.dogster.com/?76963

07-10-2005, 09:00 AM	#3
blykmyk44 YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 388	i didnt see any.. what does it mean when the "anal glands are expressed"?

07-10-2005, 12:27 PM	#9
red98vett Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston TX Posts: 33,590 Blog Entries: 1	Kimberly -I never got close enough for the visual - thank you girl - that SOUNDS like what it smelled like !! Eeewwwwwww __________________ Villette, Chanel & Cheri www.DesignsByVillette.net Custom Address Labels and Note Cards using YOUR Photos! Just Click HERE!

07-10-2005, 01:07 PM	#10
Ilovebaby I love my Monster! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 1,137	Just wanted to say that just because there weren't worms in the poop, doesn't mean there aren't worms. Tapeworms often appear on the anus and you can see them, while other worms appear in the feces. I have also been told, (I'm no professional here) that there are some worms that aren't visible in poop. So good luck! __________________ Mindy & Baby Baby's Dogster Page ****** Baby pics and Videos & More Baby pics

07-10-2005, 01:26 PM	#11
LIL MIS' MAGIC Yorkie Lover Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Midlothian, Texas Posts: 4,377 Blog Entries: 3	When we first got Magic we were told that if they rub their butts it means they probably have worms but we quickly found out that that is rarely true...usually it means that the anals need to be expressed (which the vet does) or that they have a clig on....Salior does it sometimes after she has been to the groomer, like her butt itches!!! Our vet also told us, that if you don't have their anals expressed, they will eventually do it themsleves by rubbing their butts on the floor constantly, but I would not recommend this as I would not want that stuff all over the carpet!!! __________________ Kristin, Mom to: Lil Mis Magic, Sailor and Captain

07-10-2005, 04:54 PM	#13
Saragp YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 335	no, usually nothing comes out when they scoot. it just irritates them, like itching, and then the scoot to 'scratch' it. if you get your pup groomed, the groomer can do it for you. they prefer to do it when bathing the dog so they can wash it off after. go figure! __________________ Sara & "The Kids" Visit ALL my fur-kids through Bailey! Bailey: www.dogster.com/?151175

04-30-2006, 09:13 PM	#15
Rinneygirl YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Fall River Posts: 2	scooting is it possible that my 4 mth old yorkie/maltese mix scooted b/c she had poo stuck to the hair around her bum? She's only scooted 1 or 2 times since i got her. I don't think she needs anything expressed. I'd like to avoid this if possible. What could happen if they need to be expressed but aren't? I read in a thread that they could rupture, but what happens if the sacs rupture? Is it problematic for the dog?