Anal Glands Expression

[Kristin Foti]

 Sadie has had that horrible smell from her glands quite often. A few months ago, it was at least two a week. Now is happens at least once every few weeks.

Any ideas on what is causing this? She gets groomed regularly and they express her glands then. I tried to feel them as per the internet, and they do not feel full to me at all.

Any suggestions?

Thank you.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Murphy had the same problem, especially when his stools were not hard enough for him to normally express his anal glands.  I always took him to the Vet to have them expressed, and it was a good thing that I did because at one point he actually had an infection.  IMO groomers are not qualified to do this effectively.  I would absolutely have her checked by your Vet.

[Lynn D.]

Yep! 1+ ^

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The groomer expressing the glands may be part of the problem. They need to be expressed internally, but most groomers do it extemally, which doesn't always completely empty the gland and may actually contribute to them becoming impacted. Tell your groomer not to touch them; it should only be done by your vet. The vet techs can teach you how to do it yourself, too. 

Sometimes some extra fiber in the diet can help prevent this; when the stools are good and firm, the glands should express naturally. But some individual dogs seem to have more trouble with anal gland issues than others. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

I would get your vet to show you how to correctly express the glands and then do it yourself.  It is no big deal.

[Allee & Sue]

Check with your vet on using Metamucil in your pups food. My golden had this problem and when I put her on Metamucil it did wonders. What it does is bulks up the poop and when they go it expresses the gland automatically.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Wally gets extra fiber in his diet, and his BMs are firm. Yet, despite this, he needs to have his anal glands emptied at the vet's office every four or five weeks. It's been this way for his entire life. His groomer knows not to touch Wally's glands, as the technicians at the veterinary office do it internally, which is more thorough.  

[Karen & Maple]

My Maple has the same problem. Her poop is generally firm/bulky. I had her glands checked by our vet. She said they were healthy. Vet mentioned some dogs just have 'leaky glands', opposite of glands that have tendency to be impacted. Recommend Glandex to ensure healthy stool. I assume this is helping, but they still 'leak' from time to time. I'm now wondering if this is an emotional reaction. I'm learning to deal with it. I just get self conscious about it when she sits on others laps, as she leaked on my friends jeans once. Yuck!