This anal gland thing...

[lovespandp]

I wouldn't get them expressed unless you have a reason to.. if your dog was acting off, any signs of discomfort back there, licking excessively back there, or if he was butt scooting. Butt scooting is a major symptom they will do, if they need them expressed.

I would also never let a groomer express them, groomers don’t go all the way in- most of them will express from the outside. This will not get all the liquid out. I would highly recommend if you need to get them done, get them done at the Vet. They will “go into” the rectum and express all the liquid out.

[Nancy1999]

I read that dogs that do their business outside are more likely to empty their anal glands, whose purpose is to leave a scent for other dogs. My view is don't do it if you don't need to do it. I don't think it should be done routinely unless their is some type of problem, but this doesn't mean you shouldn't visually check them and see if they are too full. They say if you start doing it you make you dog dependent on it, but some dogs require it. Adding a little fiber to the diet may help, but walking after meals may even help more.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

I wouldn't get them expressed unless you have a reason to.. if your dog was acting off, any signs of discomfort back there, licking excessively back there, or if he was butt scooting. Butt scooting is a major symptom they will do, if they need them expressed.

I would also never let a groomer express them, groomers don’t go all the way in- most of them will express from the outside. This will not get all the liquid out. I would highly recommend if you need to get them done, get them done at the Vet. They will “go into” the rectum and express all the liquid out.

Why do you need all the liquid out? When a dog does it, it's not necessary to empty the entire contents, but just enough to leave his scent. I agree butt scooting is a major symptom. It so cute though.

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

I wouldn't get them expressed unless you have a reason to.. if your dog was acting off, any signs of discomfort back there, licking excessively back there, or if he was butt scooting. Butt scooting is a major symptom they will do, if they need them expressed.

I would also never let a groomer express them, groomers don’t go all the way in- most of them will express from the outside. This will not get all the liquid out. I would highly recommend if you need to get them done, get them done at the Vet. They will “go into” the rectum and express all the liquid out.

I've been expressing Mimi's @ home b4 her bath for years. B4 I got her when she was 7 months old, she's been to the groomer several x's & has had her anals expressed. She would lick her bum area & I knew it was bothering her, so I took her to the vet & they said her glands were full. It seems like she needed her's emptied every 2 weeks or so, so I asked my vet to teach me how to do it. It was externally & we've had no problem for years, she's 6 years old now. Not too long ago, I switched their kibble just to give them something different & it gave her major anal problems. Her glands were really bothering her & I took her to the vet & they had to internally express it. 1 side was impacted & the stuff that came out was pasty. No infection, but it gave her anal sacculitis, inflammation. So IDK if it was my fault, over the years not expressing everything out & it caused the impaction, or if it was the diet change. I'm not gonna even learn how to internally express (they'll probably show me if I ask)...will let the vet techs handle it loll!

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Why do you need all the liquid out? When a dog does it, it's not necessary to empty the entire contents, but just enough to leave his scent. I agree butt scooting is a major symptom. It so cute though.

Why wouldn't you want all the liquid out? If you are getting them expressed why wouldn't you want them emptied?

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by mimimomo

I've been expressing Mimi's @ home b4 her bath for years. B4 I got her when she was 7 months old, she's been to the groomer several x's & has had her anals expressed. She would lick her bum area & I knew it was bothering her, so I took her to the vet & they said her glands were full. It seems like she needed her's emptied every 2 weeks or so, so I asked my vet to teach me how to do it. It was externally & we've had no problem for years, she's 6 years old now. Not too long ago, I switched their kibble just to give them something different & it gave her major anal problems. Her glands were really bothering her & I took her to the vet & they had to internally express it. 1 side was impacted & the stuff that came out was pasty. No infection, but it gave her anal sacculitis, inflammation. So IDK if it was my fault, over the years not expressing everything out & it caused the impaction, or if it was the diet change. I'm not gonna even learn how to internally express (they'll probably show me if I ask)...will let the vet techs handle it loll!

Mimi sounds like Peanut. He needs his about 3 weeks to once a month. I know how to express them. I would have to do it at the Vet, however Peanut will not let me- he won’t even let him cut his nails! LOL

I had issues when I had the groomer do it. They didn't get it all and it would build up faster. We were getting it done way more frequent. Now getting them done at the Vet he can go a month. I like getting it done at the Vet because they will cut his nails for free.. plus they would be aware of any other issues down there if he had any.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Why wouldn't you want all the liquid out? If you are getting them expressed why wouldn't you want them emptied?

I'm just saying they continually make it, I understand you don't want it too full, but why is it necessary to get every little drop out?

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Mimi sounds like Peanut. He needs his about 3 weeks to once a month. I know how to express them. I would have to do it at the Vet, however Peanut will not let me- he won’t even let him cut his nails! LOL

I had issues when I had the groomer do it. They didn't get it all and it would build up faster. We were getting it done way more frequent. Now getting them done at the Vet he can go a month. I like getting it done at the Vet because they will cut his nails for free.. plus they would be aware of any other issues down there if he had any.

Oh, I didn't read this reply when I posted. My vet showed me how to do it manually, and Joey was eventually able to empty it on his own. I do keep a watchful eye on his little bottom!

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I'm just saying they continually make it, I understand you don't want it too full, but why is it necessary to get every little drop out?

If I’m paying someone to do something, I want them to do it correctly. Paying my Vet to express his anal glands, I would want him to express them 100%- making sure he empties them. I wouldn't want him to get half and then have to go back a couple weeks after when he could have done it 100% and I will go back within a month.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Oh, I didn't read this reply when I posted. My vet showed me how to do it manually, and Joey was eventually able to empty it on his own. I do keep a watchful eye on his little bottom!

Ahh ok!! LOL Ya I really wish Peanut would let me do it, it would be so much easier.. but I don't want to fight with him or have to hold him down- not worth it to me. Peanut will usually butt scoot, so I know when he needs it. I have timed it and he does average about a month, sometimes he will go over about a week. When I was having the groomer do it, his average was about 3 weeks- so something was wrong. That's all I'm saying-

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Ahh ok!! LOL Ya I really wish Peanut would let me do it, it would be so much easier.. but I don't want to fight with him or have to hold him down- not worth it to me. Peanut will usually butt scoot, so I know when he needs it. I have timed it and he does average about a month, sometimes he will go over about a week. When I was having the groomer do it, his average was about 3 weeks- so something was wrong. That's all I'm saying-

Well, I'm glad you have a plan that works for you, these little guys can really keep us busy!

[mimimomo]

Another thing about anal glands...some say (on the internet) that domesticated dogs lost the ability to spray the glands when they're threatened, like wolves do in the wild (or something to do w/territorial marking? I'm not sure on this, my memory is bad). Not true, Turbo can spray! I took him in to the vet to have his ear hairs pulled bc he won't let me do it. He seriously turns into Hulk Yorkie. Well, they (it took 3 vet techs!) managed to clean & shave the inner part of his ear hairs real good, but he also managed to spray the vet techs w/his stinky juice lolll! Can you believe they didn't even wash his bum, I had to request it & they also left bloody scratches in his ear.

[impish]

Didn't read the full thread - but here's what our vet said - don't do it or have the groomer do it until there are signs that your dog needs them expressed (scooting etc.) otherwise it will stimulate them and then it's almost like a production thing where the more they are expressed the more you will need to get them done. Vet said around 1.5 2 years of age she notices dogs will either start needing them expressed or won't and will be fine - usually it's the small dogs and the large dogs that end up having issues.

Pluto was fine until around 1.5 and now we have to have his done every few months...

[McheleM]

Originally Posted by Mgmena

Yes anal glands are expressed when they poop and that's why their poop has such a strong smell.but with today's diets dogs can sometimes not express them so well so we have to express them to avoid infections. Whichever groomer that told you that should not be grooming. They are supposed to be expressed. Lets say you feed your dog wet food and your dog does not poop very solid so if its not solid enough it won't express its glands and that fluid starts to turn hard and then it can cause infection or pain that's why some dogs scoot their behinds on carpets or the floor because it bothers them. Every dog and cat should have their anal glands expressed to avoid any health concerns.

In my opinion, if its not broke, don't fix it.

And dogs need kibble to help their teeth. Wet food 100% of the time isn't healthy. We don't touch our dogs anal glands, nor do groomers or vets.