Anal Gland Discharge Color

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

rofl.

Depends on who you ask and you don't want to start something that you won't be able to stop later, but generally yes.

The trick is knowing how to check the glands for fullness and recognize the signs the dog exhibits when it is uncomfortable. Scooting can be one....another is watching the dog walk and then plop itself down hard on it's butt....repeating it over and over. Another sign and not always indicitive of full glands is a dog attempting to bite it's tail continuousely, while it's sitting. The thing is when you see a dog exhibiting unusual behavior that has anything to do with it's rear end, check the glands.

[107barney]

I'm sorry about Ellie May's anal glands. We've been pretty free of anal gland problems so I can't offer any help but we thinking of Ellie May.

[kjc]

Ha! I think most normal is consistancy and color of melted chocolate, but a tad thicker. My 13 Year old expresses nuclear green, even after AB's. Some are watery dark or light brown, some have dark or light specks in it, some are cream colored and slimey. Some of the Techs use dental rinse on a gauze to wipe the butt afterwards to kill the odor. I don't get where ppl say once you start expressing the glands, you'll have to do it all the time. If they are clogged and filled, if they are not expressed, they can burst and require surgery. My older guy has occassional problems with his, I may have to express them 3 times or so over the course of 2-3 weeks, and then they return to normal for months until he gets clogged again. I wouldn't risk not expressing them when they need it.

Also wanted to mention a lot of dogs will try to hide under furniture or in a corner when their glands are bothering them, some get shakey, and act real nervous and don't want to be touched or petted.