Anal glands question
 

Okay, I have a mobile groomer who comes every 6 weeks or so do groom my girls. Lucy is 9 months and this we just had her second grooming. I didn't have her do her anal glands the first time because I wanted to keep it short and sweet for her first time. But she has just started scooting her butt so this time the groomer took her out back, put a leash AROUND HER NECK (Her first time with something around her neck. I use a harness) and then proceeded to express her anal glands. She yelped SO LOUD and turned and twisted like a little bucking bronco and ran and then came to the end of the leash and of course she was still running and so went right off her feet! Scared BOTH of us to death (me and the pup). The groomer acted like it was all perfectly normal for her to scream like that and maybe that's so but I was so upset about the leash incident. She said it didn't really hurt her, it was more just surprise. I really appreciate having a groomer that comes to the house but I don't think she knows all that much about yorkies and now I don't know if I'm over-reacting or if she should have done things differently. My main concern is my dogs. I know you'll all be truthful. Am I over-reacting?

I'm not sure if that's normal. Miko has never yelped before. My husband expresses Miko's anal glands while he's getting a bath so that after everything comes out, he can wash it off.

I dont think thats normal and the leash thing could have been a disaster. I hope shes okay!! I only use a harness for that reason. Call me over protectant......

Expressing the anal glands properly should not hurt the dog. Uncomfortable, sure, but not where she's screaming like someone is killing her. Either your little one is just very sensitive, or the groomer wasn't expressing her properly.

Keep in mind that once your groomer begins to express her anal glands for her, it's usually a good idea to keep it up as part of her regular grooming. Personally, I'd be pissed if a groomer expressed my pups. I don't think it should be done unless absolutely neccessary. Rather, I'd put them on a more appropriate diet to encourage their body to naturally express them.

One last thing, putting a noose around a Yorkie's neck is certainly NOT the end of the world. Period. HOWEVER, I am really suprised that your groomer didn't also put a noose under her abdomen so that what happened, couldn't have happened. Especially w/ it being her first time having her anal glands expressed. Poor girl. :(

I'm not saying switch groomers, but I would certainly convey your wishes clearly before she grooms your girl again!

Sorry, don't mean to hijack your thread but I have a question about this. My oldest has always had a problem with not properly expressing her glands on her own (or rather expressing them properly on her own). I've changed her diet tried everything I could without expressing them but nothing worked.

You are correct about once you express them once you have to keep them up. She now expresses them everywhere and anywhere at least once a week even if she is expressed once a month. You wrote something about diet; what else should be included in the diet so she can express them when she is supposed to?

Every dog has a different requirement in order to have their digestive tract from top to bottom function properly.
If there is a defect in structure in regards to the glands themselves, then dietary changes won't modify your results any. He/she will need to be expressed on a routine basis to makeup where the body cannot. The last thing you want to have happen is them to become impacted. On the flip side, if your dog is leaking from her anal glands or they are being expressed involuntarily, I would seek advice regarding surgery from your vet. That too can equally be a problem.

She is expressing them involuntarily; but not when she is supposed to ( when she is doing her business outside). I've already talked to my vet and they gave me the option of surgery which I am reluctant in doing. In my research I have found that because it is such a delicate area that it can negatively affect their ability to go to the bathroom (as in unable to control it). But the way in which she expresses it and the frequency is quite alarming.

You then have a tough decision to make.
It's a problem now and it's most likely to become a bigger problem later.
I'd discuss any latest techniques in the procedure and also, get a second opinion from a vet that has performed it on small breeds and seek a success rate.

Have you had her tested for any other disorders? Or your vet has looked and it really is just a defect in the glands themselves? Any blood panels done to rule out other possibilities?

It seems that lately, you're always popping up to help me! Thank you! I do have a couple of questions though. When you say "put her on a proper diet", what do you suggest. She now eats Royal Canine for Yorkshires with a treat of Little Cesar thrown in (half a pack) about ever 2-3 days. Occassionaly carrots or prepared treats, or cherrios. This groomer was expressing Abbie's anal glands every time she groomed her, about every 6-7 weeks but then said she learned that you shouldn't do it on a regular basis, but only as needed. So she hadn't done Abbie for maybe a few months but did her this last session as well. Abbie has never scooted or shown signs of them being full. Lucy was actually scooting. Now, are you saying she should be done every bath? That's once a week. Or every grooming?. That's every 6-7 weeks. Or what? I know I can google some of this info but one thing I've learned is that what appllies to bigger dogs doesn't always apply to yorkies so I'd rather hear for our own. Thanks again in advance for your help.

:) I'm on bed rest and so I'm on my PC more often than I usually am. Especially the past few weeks.

In regards to her diet, I know over a dozen Yorkies that have had developmental issues only three are related in any way, but the common denominator is that all of these dogs were raised on the Yorkie Canin Diet. I personally think there is MUCH better food out there, and by no means am I telling you to stop feeding it (I also happen to know of a few that look great on it, they just have organ issues), just wanting you to know.
And regarding Cheerio's as a treat...she doesn't receive any benefit from it, so personally I would not give them to her. Instead go on the path that you're already headed (carrots and so on) and maybe give her green beans, canned is just fine, rather than the cheerio's. It's a better "filler" substitute.

Anal glands-IF they are to be expressed by a groomer, I'd do it no more frequently than once ever 6-8 weeks. In fact, the groomer SHOULD use his/her discretion. If she hasn't shown any signs of discomfort at home and her bowl movements are normal then I wouldn't even attempt to express them at the next grooming appointment. If you don't ask the groomer to do it, then she should not do it that session is how I'd probably handle it myself.
(and scooting isn't always a sign that the anal glands need to be expressed, there are many reasons why a dog might "scoot" and this only happens to be one of the many)

Not that this is any help to you but expressing anal glands was on TLC's dirtiest jobs.

I am so thankful to have a terrific groomer.