I am SO confused about this whole anal glands thing. I actually haven't heard much about it...actually nothing about it until I read up on it on this forum.
Anywho..How am I suppose to know when the anal glands need to be expressed? Everytime I take my babies to the vet, they never mention anything about expressing them or even ask me about them. This sounds almost serious because I read about how everyone has their babies' glands expressed when they get groomed? Since both of mine are short hair, they get bathed at home. SOO..how would I know when to get it done, if it is needed at all?
From a previous post titled "Considering a Dachsund" in General Writings:
Because of their mutated shape, they can't clean their nether regions well. They need to have their anal glands expressed. When they start scooting, that's when they need it. Mine go to the vet for it. The glands are located internally just inside the rectum, so bathing will not clean them.
Anal gland fluid is not like regular poop. It is a highly intense, fishy smelling oil (one reason I get the vet to fo it) and obviously, because of the area that they are located, can contain a lot of bacteria, which can cause really serious problems if they are overly full or become impacted. Your vet should be aware of this problem, and you might consider a new vet if s/he doesn't have a clue on this.
Some dogs are more prone to full glands than others. Zuzu usually lands in the vet's office about twice a year, so I have them expressed them. They are usually full, but I rarely see her scoot or notice any smell. Loki gets her toenails cuts at the groomer (she's bitey) so about every third time I have them express the glands. This is because she will scoot and she has had back issues. I don't want any additional pressure on the region and hey, it's two bucks.
Anal glands are small glands located on the sides of the rectum in dogs. They would be located around 4 and 8 if you were looking at the area like it was a clock. Each time a dog poops they are supposed to secrete a little of the anal gland fluid.
Sometimes, particularly in smaller dogs, the glands become too full. If they are not emptied by someone who knows how to do it, they can become infected. If the infection is not treated, it can really cause problems. The glands can abcess and actually rupture if an infection is not treated in a reasonable amount of time.
Signs that your dog might need the glands emptied (you probably won't see all of the signs):
- Scooting rear end on the ground
- Licking the anal area a lot
- A rank odor coming from the anal area (it almost smells like a dead fishy odor)
- Red swollen areas where the glands are located (this can be sign of an infection)
Its a good idea to ask the vet or vet tech to check them when you are at the vet for other reasons if you aren't sure what you are looking for.
Its important to note that the need for this service varies with individual dogs. I don't know if my family has been particularly lucky but of my parents' four dachshunds and my seven, none have needed to have their glands expressed. As Leslie said, "scooting" and attempting to bite at the region are symptoms that this needs to be done. Normally if it is needed your vet will let you know at your regular visits.
Out of 8 daxies only Sam needs his glands expressed,but I was told by his breeder about the problem so its never been an issue.Its dead easy to do and a handfull of tissues stops the stuff getting on the hands and It saves me a trip to the vet once a month.
Quote from: essendy on June 14, 2006, 09:15:48 AM
Out of 8 daxies only Sam needs his glands expressed,but I was told by his breeder about the problem so its never been an issue.Its dead easy to do and a handfull of tissues stops the stuff getting on the hands and It saves me a trip to the vet once a month.
May be kinda gross - but could you post a play by play on how you do it? I have tried using tips that other people have posted and just can't get it. I would like to be able to do it myself!
Ohh..now I see what I gotta look out for...so far, I believe my little girl, Fa Fa probably needs it done...she does scoot her butt on the floor every once in awhile after she poops and sometimes cleans her butt by licking it. I thought she probably had some nasties she was trying to clean off by herself. As far as my boy Boogey, I think he is okay, but awhile back, he did have some kind of stomach problem and he pooped out a lot of liquid like stuff and was swollen. So we took him to the vet and they did something to him..probably cleaned him, but never actually said anything besides the fact that he probably got into something he wasn't suppose to.
As far doing it myself...I've read on a few random forums/webpages that describe the procedure being done at home and it sounds quite easy, but I don't know if I would be able to do it myself. I've read somewhere about possibly busting the glands?? That does not sound good at all...then I've heard something about it being very messy...So I wonder if it is even something I should attempt. Besides that, my little girl pees everywhere anytime she is overly happy/nervous...but it would be nice to actually know, just in case we have an emergency...
SOOO...essendy, care to share?! :grin:
Hi,
I have found that bathtime (monthly) is the best time to express glads- I apply gentle massaging pressure to each gland (at 4 and 8 o'clock), and catch the fluid with a paper towel. I usually follow with a good shampoo of the area.
Anytime I smell a foul, fishy odor, or see a discharge, I will express them and follow with a bath. Good Luck!
Maggie whom is a red mini .. Went thru this last week. I took her to the vet and he expressed the glands there. I have tried to do it but, I can not. My other dachund had anal problems with infection and then swelling etc. Maggie, has had this x's 2. The vet gave her an injection for the infection and told me to watch her diet. No fat just lean meat. Poor babies it is so hard on them and hard on the parents as well. You will know when your daschund has anal problems....
I have noticed that Porky had to have his done once a month until he was done with his puppy food. After that he only doneeded it every three months. I like to have the groomer do it for us because its much easier and less stress for everyone. My brother's dog, Bandit, has never needed it an he is four years old. I have noticed that the quality of their food seems to make a big difference.
my baby needed his glands done just 3 weeks ago and it looks like anther trip to the vet to get it sorted again i couldn't even be in the room when the vet was doing it so i know that i could never do it.
Well, I've had to express Cajsa's several times. The way I do it is to hold her tail up in the air (to keep it out of the way!) then get some tissues and hold them over her anus. If the glands are full or in need of expression there will be a pea sized lump on either side of the opening. It may be that you have to feel rather than just look though. So holding her still and keeping the tissue above my hand I press the glands towards the anal opening. The anal sac fluid will come out and it should be relatively clear sort of like oil. If it comes out thicker or really dark, keep an eye on the area to make sure the glands don't fill up again since that tends to indicate they may not be draining as well as they should and that can lead to infection. (It doesn't always, but can so keeping an eye on the area can prevent it.)
I've not had to express Cajsa's glands in a while since they've not been bothering her, but she did get an infection there and I had to drain them nearly everyday while giving her antibiotics to prevent an abcess from forming. It's a dirty job, but for the furbaby, it's worth it!
I have an anal gland question - do they leak sometimes? I took Rudy and Brandy about 10 days ago to have theirs done. In the last couple days, I have noticed when Rudy goes into a deep sleep (in my lap) - that when I lift the blanket up, I can smell the kind of fishy/metal odor and he will actually turn around and look at his hiney. I may find a wet spot on the blanket or my pants, but only a small amount. I just wondered if they are really relaxed if the glands may express themselves? Wishful thinking, I guess !!!!
I am going to try April's method to do myself - I have tried before and just couldn't get it........
Clifford leaks like Rudy. He has had intermittent spells since his 1st back surgery 6 years ago. I've had to take him to the vet to have them expressed twice since mid-December coz he was stinking up the place. The vet (who had a dachsie for 16 years) said he has the easiest glands to express she's ever encountered. He's a definite squirter (sorry...) and the vets have learned to stand to the side.
Quote from: Barb on February 05, 2007, 08:22:06 AM
I have an anal gland question - do they leak sometimes? I took Rudy and Brandy about 10 days ago to have theirs done. In the last couple days, I have noticed when Rudy goes into a deep sleep (in my lap) - that when I lift the blanket up, I can smell the kind of fishy/metal odor and he will actually turn around and look at his hiney. I may find a wet spot on the blanket or my pants, but only a small amount. I just wondered if they are really relaxed if the glands may express themselves? Wishful thinking, I guess !!!!
Ah-Hah! So that's what that smell is! :doah: I thought Berman was just gassy - with becoming a poo eater and all! :idiot: I usually have Berman and Lucy's expressed when they are groomed. Since it's been so cold and nasty out, they haven't been to the groomer in a few months. I finally took them yesterday so they are stink free now! :bootyshake:
I was reading this topic and really enjoyed everyones input! I thought I would cross post some information that I posted on another discussion board. Hope it helps anyone out there that is not sure on the whole anal gland/sacs topic.
ANAL SACS… WHO NEEDS ‘EM, ANYWAY!
(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n259/Brandx24/analsacs.jpg)
What are they?
Anal sacs are small paired pockets located between the internal and external anal sphincter muscles, one on each side of the anus at the 4 and 8 o’clock position. The sac empties through a short and narrow duct to the surface near the inside edge of the anus. Each sac is lined with abundant sebaceous (oil) glands and numerous apocrine (sweat) glands. The secreted substance is a semi-oily, brownish fluid that packs an odor strong enough to gag a maggot! For unknown reasons some dogs' anal sacs produce a rather thick, semi-solid material which is much more prone to impacting the sac due to the sac's inability to pass this semi-solid material through the narrow duct to the outside. In many of these cases the sac will become infected, cause pain and inflammation and even break through to the skin surface. The abscessed anal sac may need surgery to provide drainage and curettage of the damaged and infected sac and surrounding tissue. Antibiotics are indicated in abscessed anal sac disease.
What they do
One study indicated that anal sac disorders affects about 12% of dogs. There are a number of theories why dogs, cats, skunks, and other mammals have anal sacs and what possible use they may have. One theory states that anal sac contents, when excreted with the passing stool or by anal sphincter muscle contraction, act as a powerful territorial scent marker somewhat akin to humans posting a No Trespassing sign. Another theory states that the anal sac material lubricates hard stool, which makes passage easier. Humans do not have anal sacs. It’s bad enough that some humans get hemorrhoids, which are dilated, irritated blood vessels at the anus; luckily, dogs do not get hemorrhoids.
(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n259/Brandx24/analsacs_ready.jpg)
CAUSES OF ANAL SAC PROBLEMS
There are no predictable antecedents to painful anal sac disorders. Infections, obstruction and subsequent overfilling (called impaction), and rupture with drainage through the perianal skin are the most common clinical presentations. Anal sphincter muscle dysfunction, enlarged anal sacs that are not compressed properly by the anal sphincter muscle, hypersecretion from the anal sac lining, obstructed or constricted anal sac ducts all may be predisposing circumstances for anal sac problems.
IMPACTED ANAL SACS
Some dogs may be born with very narrow channels that lead from the sacs to the edge of the anus, thereby obstruction the flow of anal sac material. Acquired damage to the duct can occur when perianal infections, trauma, allergies and inflammation compress or obstruct the narrow channel leading from the sac to the surface. For unknown reasons some dogs produce a thick or dry material from the sac lining which makes passage of the material through the narrow ducts impossible.
AGE/BREED CONSIDERATIONS
There is no age or sex predisposition to anal sac pathology. Uncommon in large breeds, infections and impactions are often experienced by small breeds such as Toy and Miniature Poodles, Chihuahuas, and Lhasa Apsos. Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, and Beagles rank high on the list of breeds affected by anal sac difficulties.
DIET
Some groomers and animal health care workers believe feeding a diet rich in fiber aids in emptying the sacs. The pressure of the firm stool against the colon wall near the anus may help to express the anal sac contents. Dogs that have an existing problem such as infection or obstructed ducts, though, probably won’t respond to dietary changes; modifying the diet with more or less fiber yields inconsistent benefits.
GROOMERS
There is a difference of opinion regarding routine expressing of the anal sacs. For example, veterinarian Mark Thompson in his presentation about anal sacs in Current Veterinary Therapy XIII, suggests routine manual expressing of the anal sacs should not be done in a normal dog with no anal sac issues. Many groomers make it a matter of routine, though, to express the anal sacs of their dogs. Certified Master Groomer Sherri Glass, for example, has been grooming dogs for 14 years and has taught grooming for 5 years at Cornerstone Dog Grooming Academy in Clyde, OH. She relates, “I teach students to empty anal glands on all small dogs, about 20 pounds or less in size. We also do any size dog at owners request. If dog owners would meet their dogs nutritional needs with high quality food, keep them at proper weight, and provide plenty of good exercise, most dogs would not have to have the anal sacs expressed.” Mr. Jeffrey Reynolds, Director of the National Dog Groomers Association of America says “In states were it is legal for groomers to express anal sacs, many groomers express them externally only either as a part of the grooming procedure or at the owners request. When there is evidence that the sacs are impacted, then they are not expressed and the owner is advised to bring the dog to the vet.”
HOW TO RECOGNIZE A PROBLEM
There is an 88 percent chance the thought of anal sacs will never even occur to you. However, if your dog is one of the 12 percent that scoots his rear bumper along the carpet, frequently turns to lick or bite at the base of his tail or anal region, or displays discomfort when passing stool, it would be advisable to make an appointment with the veterinarian. If left untreated, anal sac impactions, infections and abscesses can be a reoccurring nuisance for your dog so be proactive about an evaluation if your dog displays any discomfort in the tail or anal region.
THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION
“Do-it-yourself-anal-sac-expressing” can be done at home once your veterinarian has instructed you. (Yuck… be careful about contact with anal sac secretions or you’ll be very unpopular with yourself and others!) Some cases respond to infusion of the sacs with antibiotics in addition to oral medication. In chronic cases, careful surgical removal of the anal sacs can be curative; the dog never has another annoying bout of anal sac disease. Be sure to discuss the pros and cons of surgery if chronic problems lead you in that direction.
Below are pictures of a surgery for removal of anal sacs:
(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n259/Brandx24/analsacs_bassett2.jpg)
(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n259/Brandx24/analsacs_inject.jpg)
(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n259/Brandx24/analsacs_removed.jpg)
(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n259/Brandx24/analsacs_removed1.jpg)
(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n259/Brandx24/analsacs_locate.jpg)
(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n259/Brandx24/analsac_postop.jpg)
Above information was used from www.thepetcenter.com