Still Scooting after anal gland expression

[Kelly & Monty]

My 15 month old was scooting so we had his glands expressed and within a day he was scooting again.  This time when he was grommed on Friday I told the groomer the problem and said that they had first been done about a month ago.  When I picked him up she said he was clogged and should be better.  Well sure enough he's been doing the scoot dance all weekend.  She really trimmed his rear end but it doesn't look irritated.  There is also no odor nor has there ever been back there.  Is this worth a trip to the vet or should I try to remedy the situation at home?  I read previous posts about baby powder but I know he would just lick it off.  I haven't seen him lick the area yet but only scoot.  What to do?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Find out if your groomer is expressing the glands internally or externally. My vet says that doing it externally can make amtters worse. Many groomers do it externally, so if that's the case, and the groomer isn't willing to do it internally, you'll have to learn to do it yourself or have it done at the vet's office.

Here's an explanation with an animated comparison of both methods. As you can see, external expression can be inadequate for some dogs.

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/anal_sacs.html

[Leslie J]

I knew that groomers didn't express anal glands the same way as the vet, but I never really understood it.  I must comment you, Karen-  You actually found a website that perfectly illustrates the difference.  I am constantly amazed at your ability to find and share information- us DK members are so lucky to have you here.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Sometimes my guys will scoot after having their "sanitary trim" if the groomer shaved them way too short.  Now I only let her scissor around there.  I'd give it another day.  If it's because it's just feeling "funny" to him the scooting will stop.  If it's because he really needs the glands expressed, he won't stop and then I'd take him to the Vet.  Anal glands make me almost as "nuts" as ticks!

[Jennifer and Jack]

Exactly what Karen said my vet said too. In fact I may have learned it on here and mentioned it to my vet who was appreciative that someone knew that there is a big difference, External expression of anal glands is what is mostly done by groomers and can actually cause permanent damage to the anal glands.

 

I don't even wait for Jack to scoot we go in every eight weeks and he is always mild to moderately full, If I was ever to get Jack groomed by a groomer I would leave specific instructions to NOT touch his anal glands, I am sure they will be thrilled to hear that.

 

I would bring your dog to the vet to have them look at it. I don't trust groomers to take care of these kind of matters. I was told on here that full anal glands feels to a dog like a fist up our butts would feel to us, therefore, Jack goes way before he is close to full.

[Dori & Rua]

Geesh Jennifer, thanks for the wonderful equivilant.  YIKES.  Next time I go to the vet I'll have Dr. B check out Rua's.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I am good at graphics Dori!!!! I really was just saying what I heard on here!!!! LOL

[Camilla and Darwin]

I was taught to do this as a dog bather, and did it to Darwin for the first few months I had him. Then I heard about the possible bad effects and have stopped!  And I agree that if someone asked me NOT to do the anal glands I would have been thrilled! LOL

[Melody & Bruin]

oh my goodness...what the heck is anal gland expression?  is this a doodle thing?

I'm gonna go look this up!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No it's a dog thing...all dogs.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Some dogs just naturally have issues with their anal glands, and some dont. But food can make a difference. High fibre can help. Eating canned food can make it worse.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, I didn't mean that all dogs have anal gland problems, lol. I was explaining that this is not something that only happens to doodles, it happens to all breeds of dogs. I guess if someone has never had a dog before they, wouldn't know that.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Chloe had this issue-she had to expressed at least 3 times a month at the vet. She would lick like a crazy one and scooted a few times-the licking was our sign to call for an appt. We NEVER let the groomers do anal glands on our dogs. Just the vet. Anyway I would also wait and see if it is the haircut being itchy or feeling weird, that also happened to Myla last groom.

There was a slight odor for Chloe but not much. This continued for months and our vet at the time wanted to do surgery to remove her glands! We immediately changed vets. The first time he saw her he asked if they ever tried an infusion, nope wasn't aware of it. He took her away and did that and no problems since!!! So scooting could be the haircut, we also scissor that area when possible. So if it turns into something there are optons-good luck!