What to do... anal gland issues... STILL!

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

Okay, I know I have posted several topics on this issue myself, as well and read other discussions over it, and even emailed specific people about it, but I'm at my wits end and just sooooo FRUSTRATED!

Since about 6 months of age Remington has been having his anal glands expressed monthly by a vet.  Every time the glands were full!  We're talking disgustingly full!  I have done everything that I can think of to try to clear the problem up.  I'm talking feeding him pumpkin, green beans, completely switching food, meds, etc.  NOTHING helps!  May 27th will be about the time he needs them done again, so I was not all that surprised when he leaked some anal gland juice on my bed sheets while laying in bed with me last night!  However, I being the clean freak I am freaked out!  YUCK!  I know that I can just change the sheets and wash them no big deal... but still... it is sooooo gross and something that I have to deal with ALLLL the time!  We have even gone to the point of having the vet teach us how to express them ourselves so we don't have to pay the $25 each month to get it done.  We are getting better at it, but still it is difficult for an untrained person to do it properly and not worry that they are doing something wrong, you know?

I guess I'm just asking for any other suggestions on stuff that can help this situation!  Stuff we haven't tried, stuff that you have heard about, easy ways to express the glands, how to make sure you got it all out, etc.  It makes me upset to think about dealing with this for the rest of Remington's life.  Don't get me wrong... I would seriously go to the ends of the world for this dog, but it is soooooo frustrating to have to deal with this EVERY month.

Any other Doodle Mom's or Dad's out there that deal with anal gland issues... if so please help!

Sincerely,

At There Wits End  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm so sorry you & Remington are going through this. I totally understand your frustration, and I know how hard it is to constantly have to deal with chronic health problems in your dog, no matter how much you love them.
I have no advice, but try to hang in there and know that you can always vent to us! Hugs to you & Remington.

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

Have you and your vet discussed the possibility of surgically removing the anal glands? One of my Mom's dogs (a King Charles spaniel) had that procedure done after going through similar issues as your dog. After the recovery period, he lived a happy life. As far as I know, he did not suffer any long term side effects. Your vet should be able to give you professional advice.

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

We have discussed this possibility, but I really don't want to go there... and the vet advised against it. If I knew for a fact that he would come out of the surgery okay then I would do it in a heart beat, but the thought of something going wrong... I don't want to take the chance.

[Missi]

Lizzie's get pretty bad near grooming time and worse if she's cooped up on the house (but nowhere near the sounds of Remington!). The more exercise she gets, the better it seems to be. Just my observation though. I have no other real help, but I hope you can figure something out!

[Becky, Savannah, & Raleigh]

My Savannah deals with this occasionally. She will scoot around on her butt and turn herself around in a circle. We've had them expressed at the vet when she does this often enough. Besides the monthly gland expression and modifying the diet the way you have, you may want to ask your vet about a special procedure in which they take a tiny needle (under sedation of course) and inject an antibiotic into the gland. I am not entirely sure what it entails, but my vet said that it is safer than surgically removing them would could leave to incontinence issues if done improperly. I was told that the "antibiotic injection" procedure could give relief up to a year or longer. I haven't had to go this route yet, so i'm not entirely sure of all the details.

I know how frustrating (and gross!) this can be!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Kendra, does Remington get any fatty acid supplements? Fish oil or evening primrose oil capsules? I've read that fatty acids in the diet can help prevent the anal sacs from becoming impacted. It might be worth a try, can't hurt.

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

We have not done this... would you suggest just buying supplements that a human would take at the store? And then putting it in his food? How many? And how often?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Those of us who use the EPO buy human supplements- 500 mg capsules (they're the oil kind that look like vitamin E caps) and either just put in down their throat like any pill or some dogs do eat them if you put it in with their food. One capsule per day.
The fish oil comes in different forms...you can buy capsules and it also comes in pump type bottles for adding to their food. Check to see what's available at your pet supply store & they can help you choose one, or check the Food Group.

[Lin D & Yogi]

I am so sorry that you have to deal with this issue. Our Golden had large anal glands and had problem. He had surgery and after recovery everything was fine.

[shelly]

Oh Kendra! I don't have it quite as bad as you, but Tori does have those "issues" as well. She has 'leaked' several times on our couch. I too, am a germ freak and sceive out when it happens. I take a lysol wipe(well SEVERAL) and scrub it good and spray very generously with Febreeze. Every time Tori goes to the groomer which is about 4-6 weeks - she expresses them for me. I was just thinking that she is overdue now and sometimes she puts off pooping because of it, (which I think may be her problem now) and the smell is so bad when she needs it done. I tries to learn how to do it, but it is really hard and I almost gag. Our vet says hers are very easy to express and you can do it externally - but still...Since it's done so often, you would think your vet would skip the payment some times. I also had hear that they can be removed... but not sure if that's a possibility. Good luck!

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

I wish Remington's were easy. The vet says why he has problems is because his are very far in. Like if I were expressing them myself I would have to stick my finger in as far as the second knuckle. Expressing them from the outside doesn't work at all....

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My vet said expressing them from the outside can actually make it worse.