Anal Gland Nightmare!

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

So, I recently posted about us having problems with Remington's anal glands. We had them expressed in November and they were full... and we had to have them expressed again yesterday, once again, FULL! I could not believe it. Our vet said that the next time we needed to have it done he would just show us how to do it ourselves... YUCK YUCK YUCK! However, I feel I have no choice since I don't want to be paying 30 dollars a months for a 5 minute procedure! And they said they could be raising the price up to 50 dollars! AHHH! Anyways, so I'm looking for some home remedies that would help Remington to be able to express them himself. The Dr. suggested green beans or pumpkin. I'm going to the store this afternoon to get some pumpkin to see if this helps to clear the problem up. I have also read the coconut helps, prunes, Metamucil, or Nature's Variety Raw Medallions (have any of you tried these). I read that if we keep expressing them ourselves that he will lose the ability to do it on his own and I would much rather him do it on his own than for me to have to do it! YIKES! I have also heard that low grade food can cause anal gland problems but we feed Eagle Pack which is a very high quality food! I just want him to be healthy and not have to go through this every month! Any advice would be great! Thanks

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

TJ, this discussion is almost three years old, and the dog in question had surgery to remove the glands completely, which was successful. I am sure Kendra will respond when she sees your post.

But to address the question about adding pumpkin to the food, the pumpkin makes the stool firmer due to the high fiber content, that's the whole point of using it. Fiber makes stool firmer and better formed, it does not make the stool looser.  

[F, Calla & Luca]

This is a very old discussion. You should try posting a new one in the food group, perhaps..

[Vivian & Mojo]

Careful with pumpkin, use small amounts just a tablespoon or so. It can cause diarrhea

or cure it.

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

TJ... you might also try adding unsalted canned green beans to his food. This is also suppose to bulk up the stool. And I'm not sure how often you feed him... we use to feed 3 times a day, but our vet suggested cutting it down to two in order to bulk up the stool too. Hopefully this will help or he'll grow out of it like you said! If you ever need any other advice let me know. We have been through it all with anal glands :)

[Vivian & Mojo]

My puppy is 6 months old and I never had any problems with his anal glands. He is on a raw diet and eats Nature's Variety Raw Medallions. I'm not sure if its the food that helps or just his constitution. I used to feed my husky eagle pack and switched because it gave her the runs.

Good luck with everything.