charlysmom&dad
illinois
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We've had 8 dogs over the years. Some needed to be expressed & some did not. If I saw my dog scooting, we'd have the vet express him. I'm in the camp of "if it ain't broke don't fix it." Except, we adopted a little chihuahua that was a stray & had bad knees, spine hips. He couldn't scoot. We learned very fast when his anal gland ruptured. He wasn't in pain, but he wouldn't lay down. The vet cleaned it out & we gave him anti-biotics, & twice daily warm washes. He came out fine.
So now, if I suspect my dogs need it, I have the vet do it.
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Crowe
Billerica, MA USA
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We call it either "skunk butt" (because that's what it smells like) or ooky butt because it stinks. Sometimes stress will cause them to express their glands.
Life is too short to spend it all in one place!
2004 Gulfstream Endura
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scot-to-rv
Regina
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It is important to maintain the anal glands, I have had a dog that one anal gland ruptured, she was in a lot of pain and it took many visits to the vet and medications to clear up that problem. It is not difficult to do and is so worth the few minutes of grossness so that the dog is comfortable and this doesn't happen.
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maltese-lover2
Windsor, CO
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My groomer(s) have told me that legally they can't go inside to express these glands so it should be done by a vet. Groomers can do it from the outside but that is not all there is to it and yes, it smells. Most vets have the vet techs do it. We've had one foster the anal gland ruptured and it did take about 3 visits to the vet to make sure it was healing correctly. To be on the safe side, count on your vet and not your groomer. It's worth the extra cost.
Scott, Gigi + 7 maltese
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lasparrot
Russell, just outside Ottawa, Canada's Capital
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I would be very upset with my groomer if they did this without my consent. This is something that I would want my vet to do and while I was there I would discuss ways to avoid this in the future - i.e. diet? exercise? or just a matter of bad conformation (in which case its something that will possibly need to be regularily done).
We've had 10 dogs over the years and a few cats. I can't remember any of them ever needing it.
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dturm
Munster, IN
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lasparrot wrote:I would be very upset with my groomer if they did this without my consent.
Around here this is a normal part of grooming, people get upset if it isn't done.
Doug
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lasparrot
Russell, just outside Ottawa, Canada's Capital
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dturm wrote:lasparrot wrote:I would be very upset with my groomer if they did this without my consent.
Around here this is a normal part of grooming, people get upset if it isn't done.
Doug
Maybe we are just backwoods here in Canada! Can damage be done doing this procedure incorrectly?
Laura
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dturm
Munster, IN
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Damage can be done, mostly bruising and pain. Knowing if there is disease rather than normal accumulation is an important distinction.
BTW, you are not backwoods - I've seen many different customs related to grooming and pet care depending on local practices.
Doug
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ClassBGirl
Memphis, TN
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Joined: 10/09/2001
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Are anal glands ever surgically removed? Just wondered what risks are involved, and if this is standard procedure with repeated anal gland problems. Our vet in Memphis charges $25 to do anal gland expression, so I was curious as the cost can mount up for the procedure over the years if you are doing it every other month. Thanks!!
ClassBGirl, Hubby, and "Bogie" the Basset
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dturm
Munster, IN
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ClassBGirl wrote:Are anal glands ever surgically removed? Just wondered what risks are involved, and if this is standard procedure with repeated anal gland problems. Our vet in Memphis charges $25 to do anal gland expression, so I was curious as the cost can mount up for the procedure over the years if you are doing it every other month. Thanks!!
Yes they are removed, but there is a pretty high incidence of problems, complications with surgery, so it's kind of a last resort option.
Complications include infection (look where the surgery site is), fecal incontinence, usually temporary but can be permanent, damage to the rectum, then all the potential problems with anesthesia.
I usually only do these when tumors are present or there have been repeated (more than a few) infections.
Doug, DVM
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