Winnie and her anal glands
 

Hello,

I am a new mommy and have had Winnie for 4 weeks now. 2 days ago she started dragging her butt across our floor. We yelled her thinking that it was wrong to do that but then got to thinking that she has an itch and doesn't know any other way to scratch it. After she kept doing it, I assumed something was wrong. I googled it and came up with her anal glands. Then it said that if she's biting her butt and what not that it could be a sign of that as well.

This morning before going to work I caught her doing it again. I picked her up and put her in the bathroom and took her little butt in my hands and pinched. There was about an eye droplet full of brown liquid and I squeezed a little bit more and a small drop came out. She didn't wine or whimper. I just don't know if I got it all. I'm feeding her a premium dog food and her stools are sometimes soft and sometimes hard.

How much liquid should there be in a 3 1/2 month old yorkie? What if I only got the one anal gland? Has anyone else experience this?

I might just face it and go back to the vet and it hasn't been a week since I was just there.

To top it off, I was giving her a cut last night and the attachment fell off and there is a large bald spot on the side of her and around her tail. How embarrassing!

Will anyone share their thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

I would take her to the vet again just to make sure you got it all. Ask the vet to show you how to express her anals properly, if you don't do it rite you can cause damage. The good news is , most vets do not charge an office call fee for expressing anals. Some dogs just have the problem and others don't, if she's doing this this young chances are she'll be one who needs them expressed every month or so, so learning how to do it properly yourself will save you lots of money.

Thanks! I saw her biting at herself this morning so must still have a problem. I hope I didn't damage her.

She may need to be tested for parasites too - did they do that when you were there last week ? The vet can express them- I personally wouldn't do it my own self though I know some do

Yes, they tested for parasites and she came out clear. If she has to have this done often, I will probably learn the proper way to do it.

oh good - and yes - they can teach you - it's not fun ! - I had a cocker that had it done once by the vet and wow - I kind of almost barfed :)

I took Winnie to the vet this weekend. The vet expressed her anal glands but I must have gotten it all because she said there is nothing there. The way she was doing it and the way I was doing it is completely different. I don't think I will do it any more.

The vet also said that puppies usually don't have this problem. Then she said that the reason she was scooting was because her hair around her butt was too long. I had just given her a haircut. So I went home and cut it shorter and now Winnie is really going crazy scratching her but. I feel so bad. It was probably because it was too short the first time and then I made it short now. It's very frustrating. I hope her hair grows fast.

Any suggestions?

You could use something for itch back there, but she can't lick it, so an ecollar or something would probably have to be used. Your vet can recommend a product if you want to do it.

Nah, you didn't hurt her by emptying them. I know people are nervous about doing this, but it is not easy to cause damage... As she gets older, they may (or may not) need to be emptied and it is ok for owner to do it; but as always, ask your vet if it is ok. You emptied them externally. She probably emptied them internally. Both acceptable. You can probably get more out internally. Some are opposed to putting their finger in there, esp. with small dogs. I use both methods.

Thanks, I was worried but now she's just back to normal and sometimes still grabs for her butt.