Bailey has a fish/tuna smell on her rear end?? why?

[Kirby]

I have Sydney's taken care of once a month at the groomers. She's five months old.

[speleogirl37]

Originally Posted by BridgettesMomma

The anal glads should be expressed regularly! I have mine done once a month at the groomer. You can do it yourself. It's gross, and stinky. But it'll save you a lot of money and stress on your dogs part. My Yorkies get done by the groomer. But I have 4 other dogs that do not need the groomer so I do it myself! Make sure you do it outside or in the bath/shower where you can wash it down!

How to Express a Dog's Anal Gland: How to Groom a Dog | eHow.com

They need to be expressed regularly? I was under the impression you did it when needed. Madison is almost a year old, and has never had it done. Is it harmful in any way not having it done regularly?

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by speleogirl37

They need to be expressed regularly? I was under the impression you did it when needed. Madison is almost a year old, and has never had it done. Is it harmful in any way not having it done regularly?

It use to be thought that the glands should be expressed regularly, and many groomers did this as part of the grooming process, but now vets don't think this is a great idea, and should only be done if needed. Joey needed this done, and he would scoot on the floor when his anal glands were too full. The vet said that some puppies don't push hard enough when they poop, and don't empty the glands on their own, so this foul smelling liquid builds up. We found that a little fiber added to the diet helped, and Joey no longer needs his glands emptied. Also, if not done properly the contents can be pushed further up the canal, and an infection can result. When the glands are too full the anal area will look slightly poufy, and some people have reported a fishy smell and other horrible smells. I would not have it done if it wasn't needed, remember the adage, "If it ain't broke . . ."

[lysiane_souris]

So it is for sure the anal gland my problem I found a great site that explained it all and it even said at teh end that it smells like fish. And i can see why it would happen to her and not my pass dogs is because Bailey does get liquid stool more oftent hen other dogs because of her IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).. here is the definition I found.
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.
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.

Thanks for all teh help everyone, I will get those anal glands looked at ASAP

[BridgettesMomma]

Originally Posted by lysiane_souris

WOW that is a nasty color..lol I think I would like someone to show me how to do it for the first time. Maybe ill bring her to a groomer so I know I am doing it right and won't hurt her.

Did you eveer hurt your dog doing this??

As long as you know where to press and you don't press to hard you should have no problem. No I have never hurt any of my dogs. But my vet charges $25 for the anal glands to be expressed. With 4 other dogs that'd be $100/mth not to mention the $25 office call. I would spend $200/mth on my non Yorkie kids and then my groomer charges $35/Yorkie. I cannot afford $270 a month on anal glands. Once you do it a couple times (it's still gross) but it gets easier and routine. If it's not done they can get compacted and infected and then the anal gland removal surgery is expensive and I hear it's very painful for the dogs. Good Luck!

Oh and make sure you are not standing behind her it squirts! goss I know! Just a warning.

[BridgettesMomma]

Originally Posted by speleogirl37

They need to be expressed regularly? I was under the impression you did it when needed. Madison is almost a year old, and has never had it done. Is it harmful in any way not having it done regularly?

Yes they can be compacted and infected and will become very painful for the dogs and may even need to be surgically removed. My best friend is a groomer/breeder it should be done at MINIMUM every 3 months! But the less often you do it the fuller they get and the more that comes out.

Also a good sign that your dogs anal glads are full is they will scoot their butt on the ground trying to relieve it themselves. They'll pick up the back paws and drag their butt with their front paws.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by BridgettesMomma

Yes they can be compacted and infected and will become very painful for the dogs and may even need to be surgically removed. My best friend is a groomer/breeder it should be done at MINIMUM every 3 months! But the less often you do it the fuller they get and the more that comes out.

Also a good sign that your dogs anal glads are full is they will scoot their butt on the ground trying to relieve it themselves. They'll pick up the back paws and drag their butt with their front paws.

Mine are going on 5 and have never had their anal glands expressed and have never needed it. I think it should be done on a need to basis

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by BridgettesMomma

Yes they can be compacted and infected and will become very painful for the dogs and may even need to be surgically removed. My best friend is a groomer/breeder it should be done at MINIMUM every 3 months! But the less often you do it the fuller they get and the more that comes out.

Also a good sign that your dogs anal glads are full is they will scoot their butt on the ground trying to relieve it themselves. They'll pick up the back paws and drag their butt with their front paws.

Don't wish to argue, but there are different opinions on this, and like I stated before, vets no longer think it is necessary to do as routine grooming, in fact, in can cause more problems. This is something you might want to check with your vet on. The right diet can help them empty it on their own, and this is what you should aim for.

[Lexi Rae]

Lexi has never had that done, nor did she ever need it to be , and she is
over 4 years old

[speleogirl37]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

It use to be thought that the glands should be expressed regularly, and many groomers did this as part of the grooming process, but now vets don't think this is a great idea, and should only be done if needed. Joey needed this done, and he would scoot on the floor when his anal glands were too full. The vet said that some puppies don't push hard enough when they poop, and don't empty the glands on their own, so this foul smelling liquid builds up. We found that a little fiber added to the diet helped, and Joey no longer needs his glands emptied. Also, if not done properly the contents can be pushed further up the canal, and an infection can result. When the glands are too full the anal area will look slightly poufy, and some people have reported a fishy smell and other horrible smells. I would not have it done if it wasn't needed, remember the adage, "If it ain't broke . . ."

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Don't wish to argue, but there are different opinions on this, and like I stated before, vets no longer think it is necessary to do as routine grooming, in fact, in can cause more problems. This is something you might want to check with your vet on. The right diet can help them empty it on their own, and this is what you should aim for.

Thanks Nancy!!

[lysiane_souris]

Originally Posted by BridgettesMomma

As long as you know where to press and you don't press to hard you should have no problem. No I have never hurt any of my dogs. But my vet charges $25 for the anal glands to be expressed. With 4 other dogs that'd be $100/mth not to mention the $25 office call. I would spend $200/mth on my non Yorkie kids and then my groomer charges $35/Yorkie. I cannot afford $270 a month on anal glands. Once you do it a couple times (it's still gross) but it gets easier and routine. If it's not done they can get compacted and infected and then the anal gland removal surgery is expensive and I hear it's very painful for the dogs. Good Luck!

Oh and make sure you are not standing behind her it squirts! goss I know! Just a warning.

Thanks I made an appointement with my vet and they will charge me $35 to get it done but and I asked if tehy can show me how to do it and they said yes .... so hopefully i can do it after that...Thanks again

[lysiane_souris]

and for teh people with all the different opinions..Thank you. I just wish to point out that ALL dogs will be different when it comes to this. Most dogs wont need to get it done as often as they have more solid stool and will express it on its own.
My Bailey on the other hand has iregular bowel movements and often has soft poop, so i asume i will be one of those that will need to get it done more often.

Thanks again everyone!!

[mizzwanned]

Well when Teddy was getting his ear hair plucked..he expressed his anal glands on his own. The vet did his ears and we smelled something gross and she said it was him..that because he was tensed up he did it by himself. It smells sooooo bad!! I heard once you do it once you have to keep doing it or something. don't know how true that it.

[lysiane_souris]

Originally Posted by mizzwanned

Well when Teddy was getting his ear hair plucked..he expressed his anal glands on his own. The vet did his ears and we smelled something gross and she said it was him..that because he was tensed up he did it by himself. It smells sooooo bad!! I heard once you do it once you have to keep doing it or something. don't know how true that it.

awww pore little one.. it is still kinda funny though how it did it on its own!!!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

It use to be thought that the glands should be expressed regularly, and many groomers did this as part of the grooming process, but now vets don't think this is a great idea, and should only be done if needed. Joey needed this done, and he would scoot on the floor when his anal glands were too full. The vet said that some puppies don't push hard enough when they poop, and don't empty the glands on their own, so this foul smelling liquid builds up. We found that a little fiber added to the diet helped, and Joey no longer needs his glands emptied. Also, if not done properly the contents can be pushed further up the canal, and an infection can result. When the glands are too full the anal area will look slightly poufy, and some people have reported a fishy smell and other horrible smells. I would not have it done if it wasn't needed, remember the adage, "If it ain't broke . . ."

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Don't wish to argue, but there are different opinions on this, and like I stated before, vets no longer think it is necessary to do as routine grooming, in fact, in can cause more problems. This is something you might want to check with your vet on. The right diet can help them empty it on their own, and this is what you should aim for.

Completely agree!