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

[Holly Doodle]

Holly loves pumpkin, we also had some issues with glands and I gave her 1 Tb with her food for 2 days, which helped. Our groomer automatically does it for free with haircuts which is nice, I can't believe your vet charges so much! Good luck :).

[Leslie J]

I kinow what you mean about anal gland problems- Cocoa is barely 5 months old and she has needed her glands expressed twice already! Both times it got really bad I was feeding her a primarily grain-free diet (Orijen and Evo). It seems that a very firm, bulky stool helps naturally express the glands as it is excreted. I would try to find a food which gives Remington a really firm, bulky stool (which is also nutritionally sound) and perhaps the problem will resolve itself.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There is a link between anal gland problems and atopy; not saying that's what this is, and I have no idea what the physiological connection might be that causes the link between the two. But it definitely seems to be inherent in certain dogs, for whatever reason.

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

So your saying he may be allergic to something??

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No, I'm not saying that at all, Kendra. I'm just saying that these kinds of problems often occur in dogs who have atopic allergies, in response to Jane's comment about why some dogs have this happen and not others, regardless of diet, etc. I'm sure it happens at least once in awhile with all dogs at some point in their lives.
But if it continues to be a problem over the long term, in spite of everything you're doing to alleviate it, it is possible that Remington may have an allergy. But I wouldn't worry about that for now.

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

I will definitely keep an eye out. I just hope that we can find a good treatment for it by just feeding him some pumpkin or something. I have also read that some dogs are unable to express the glands themselves because the opening to the glands is too small. Wonder if this could have something to do with breeding and genetics???

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You know, I also just remembered that a while back, you saw a correlation between Remington's exercise levels and his BM's, which is pretty normal for people, too. Has he been getting less exercise recently? I wonder if that could have anything to do with this.

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

Yes, this could be a possibility... it has turned cold here and he hasn't been able to get outside like he use to in the summer... that could be! I am not a cold weather person!

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

Look at this website! Maybe exercise is the key!!!!!!

http://www.old-dog-treats-and-rawhide.com/dog-glands.html

Although now I feel like I've been a bad mom lately :(

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

Also, has anyone heard of AnalGlandz???

[Ann Kendig]

I think my vet charges $25 to $30 to express anal glands. I'd do it myself to save the money. The last time Sheba had it done (and she needs it done again as she is getting smelly...another reason why I don't want the doods on the furniture, no way do I want that smell on my couch!) it took 4 people to hold her and she tried to throw herself off the table sideways! The vet said he'd never seen a dog do that. I know she hates it but vet says it has to be done. I have changed their food to Orijen recently. I think it's to soon to tell if this will help. I've tried pumpkin but it doesn't seem to help her much:(((( When Sheba's anal glands are bothering her she doesn't drag her rear...she chases her tail!

[Tj]

Oh....I know exactly what you're going through.  We have a 7 month old labradoodle.  I fear the problem is food-related.  From day one, we've had trouble transitioning him to a good dog food.  We started with Blue Buffalo.  The problem with Howard is he is such a bruiser, he wouldn't even chew the small kibble.  He's had trouble with diarrhea from a lot of transitioning.  We are in constant contact with our Vet.  She has given us some meds for him.  So my question is, do we mix the canned pumpkin WITH the dog food? and wouldn't that make his stools more lose?  I heard you need firm stools so that they can self-express.  I absolutely can NOT express. I have to leave the vet's examination room the few times she's done it or I gag.  He's now eating Natural Choice Lamb and Rice.  He's 70 pounds plus already at 7 months!  He is not fat and gets a lot of exercise. (which we heard was crucial for self-express.)  I hope he grows out of it! UGH!