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Annal Glands I just want to know how often in general Yorkies need their annal glands expressed. I don't want to do it to much but I don't want him to get an infection either. Is one per week too much? Thanks for any advise :confused: |
Some groomers think once a month but most feel that is too often unless there is a problem. This link will give you the symptoms to look for and although it gives you an idea of how to do it, I would let your vet do it the first time so one doesn't do more harm than good.About a Dog's Anal Glands |
Thank you! My dog lets me know when he wants them expressed! He either does the scooting along on his bum or he walks backwards toward me on the bed or where I am sitting, he wants me to do it I guess because it gives him relief. I just wonder about doing this once per week, seems like a lot. |
I check them once a week, usually at bath time or if I see symptoms. If they are full, I express them. If they are not full, I leave them alone. A diet with higher fiber in it (or green beans, pumpkin) can help keep them healthy. Chronic anal gland problems have been associated with allergies in dogs. |
Kathy, I have also seen it grow into a chronic problem by doing too often. Of course if there is scooting etc, it should be done but not without checking to see if they are full like you do. The scooting could be irritation from something else. |
Thank for your input. Mogwi goes to the vet more than most dogs because we travel internationally and he is always getting the vet health certificates which include an examination so I don't think he has any allergies or other things wrong |
Riley will be 2 on Saturday and he has Never had his expressed. Is this normal for some?? |
I don't know if it's normal but it was many years before Crystal had to have them expressed for the first time. |
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Pheeeeeeeeew!! I was thinking: Is this something I am supposed to be having it done?? He's never had a problem or anything..... I am actually running him by the vet tomorrow to take a look at his ears. He had a reaction to food a few weeks back and his body and ears broke out in Hives!! =( His body cleared up and his ears look much better, but still just a teeny bit red and irritated..... I want to run him by the vet so he can look deep down his ears and give an All Clear.... :thumbup: |
Annal glands I have had a dog since I was ten. At this point I have owned 12 dogs in my life.My latest companion is a Yorkie, the first of this breed that I have known and the first to require annal sack expression, are yorkie just a bit more likely genetically to need this done? |
My Gina was 11 and never had her anal glands expressed. Zoey is 2 and has never had them expressed. I think I read somewhere that if the dog poops properly (not loose or constipated) then the glands just exprss themselves. |
I have read that too but Mogwi poops regularly twice per day without fail and the poops are firm not hard but well formed and there should be enough pressure to release the glands according to what our vet told me and what I have read. He is in great health, just need this done more often than I thought. I will just be really careful . |
I dont think how their poops are having anything to do with it just some dogs are just more prone to needing it done |
Some dogs express their glands themselves when they poop. My male has to get his expressed a few times a year, but I think once a week is a bit much. I would just keep an eye on them and express them when they are full. |
I've had 2 miniature poodles in the past who both had to have their glands expressed. So far Roxi hasn't needed it done. I was also told by my vet that some dogs' glands are expressed when they go poo. |
That is the purpose of having those smelly glands in the first place, to add their sent to the poop, so if it does not come out when they poo its not coming out at all and will need expressed. |
This is what I found. Causes of Pet Anal Gland Problems Anal gland problems can cause rear end discomfort. - Morguefile.com Scooting, a metallic, fishy odor and licking of the anal area can signal that a pet is suffering from a problem involving the anal glands. Cats and dogs of both sexes have anal glands, and loose stools and improper drainage can lead to odor, infection, abscesses and discomfort. Understanding how these problems arise can help pet owners tend to an anal gland issue at the first sign of trouble, while also preventing problems from occurring in the first place. How Anal Gland Problems Occur Anal glands continually secrete a fluid that serves as a scent marker to other animals when the animal has a bowel movement. A pet with consistently firm stools will likely need only the occasional anal gland expression, but even a short bout of loose stools can lead to fluid accumulation and ultimately, infection. When a bowel movement occurs, the firm stool will apply pressure to the anal glands, naturally expressing the fluid. Pet owners can maintain proper stool consistency by feeding a high-quality pet food and fresh food supplements that are high in fiber, like carrots. Ads by Google Unfortunately, even a short bout of diarrhea can result in abnormally loose stools that fail to naturally express the glands leading to an accumulation of fluid inside the anal glands, also known as “impaction.” A pet who is consistently producing soft stools for a long period of time will also be prone to this condition. When fluid accumulates inside the anal glands, located at the five o’clock and seven o’clock position on either side of the anal opening, the fluid thickens, making it even less likely to emerge naturally. This fluid accumulation results in an uncomfortable sensation of pressure in the hind quarters, leading to licking and scooting in an attempt to relieve some of the discomfort. A strong metallic, fishy odor is also commonly present. “If the anal glands are not expressed properly and fluid accumulates, bacteria grows and an abscess – a pocket of infection beneath the skin’s surface – forms, leading to pain and discomfort. If the problem is not caught early, the abscess can rupture, and you’ll end up with a painful, messy situation that often requires us to go in to flush and surgically close the wound,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM. How to Avoid Anal Gland Problems The most effective way to prevent anal gland problems from occurring is to regularly express the glands, whether it’s at home or at the veterinarian’s office.I don't agree with that part Some full-service groomers are capable of expressing the glands as well. How often the glands need to be expressed depends on the dog, as smaller dogs typically require this procedure more often. Consulting your veterinarian is the best way to determine the ideal frequency for anal gland expression. The glands should also be expressed as needed during and immediately after a bout of diarrhea. This will remove the fluid before it thickens and becomes a staging area for bacteria and infection. For a pet who is prone to loose stools, providing fresh pureed or canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) once a day can help firm up a dog’s stool. Add one teaspoon (for a smaller dog) or two teaspoons (for a larger dog) to the pet’s meal once a day to promote healthy stool consistency. Notably, pumpkin can also serve to loosen a pet’s stool when constipation is the problem. Feeding a high-quality pet food and fresh food supplements high in fiber, like carrots, will also promote proper stool consistency, which promotes natural drainage. Understanding the symptoms that signal a problem and knowing when to schedule a visit to the veterinarian’s office is also key. Dr. Levine added, “If you express the anal glands but still observe scooting, licking, and an odor, it’s time to seek help. Treating the infection early on leads to a much hastier recovery. Ignore the problem and it’s very likely your pet could end up with a painful abscess that will be difficult to heal and costly to treat.” |
I asked our vet about this and he said that they should never be expressed unless there's a real problem and in fact once you start then you'll always have to continue because the dog may loose their ability to express their glands naturally which should normally happen when they pass stool. I also asked both of our girls breeders who are show breeders here in Canada and they said they never do this on any of their yorkies and that there is no need for it. We've had yorkies for about 25 years and I've never had a problem with their anal glands. If it were me I'd tell the groomers not to mess around with this because it may in fact precipitate an ongoing problem afterwards. I groom my girls myself so don't have to worry about groomers doing this without being asked to do it. |
Did you see what I added in red in post 18 because I don't believe that part of the article. They should never be expressed unless needed. |
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I don't want anyone confused on this so I am posting again. I had voiced it wasn't necessary earlier in the thread and can lead to chronic problems per my vet. I had taken that paragrapah out before I copied and posted and somehow it was back in there:confused: Sorry!! |
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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. |
Yes, you started a great thread. I always think it's best to go with what a tried and true vet will tell you and I know mine would say the same as yours. Express if they are full but only then. Must run, I think dinner is ready. |
I say....if it ain't broke, don't fix it :thumbup: |
I have an older dog that needs them expressed every few months. What I have noticed is that she scoots even more for a couple days after getting them expressed, I guess because that area feels different to her. Jax also scoots his butt whenever we trim his butt area. So just because they scoot their butt doesn't necessarily mean they need them to be expressed. Mine do it any time their butt feels different. |
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