Anal Gland Surgery

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

I brought my Doodle to the Vet because she has a putrid smell coming from her bottom. The vet says that my Doodle has to have surgery to remove her anal glands. Does anyone out there have the same problem or is there any alternative to this situation? The vet says it is not what she is eating. Could it be nerves? Could it be being home by herself all day? I am having great concerns about the surgery. Help…before the vet does something that may not have to be done.

[Melissa]

Did he clean them out or just examine them?  Maybe you should get a second opinion before you have surgery.  We had a dog many years ago that had problems with his anal glands.  We had to take him several times to the vet to get them emptied.  Finally the vet said we may want to have them removed because it was becoming a regular issue with Bobo.  If this was the 1st time you took him to the vet for this I would not get surgery right away.  Get a second opinion.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Here's a prior discussion on Anal Glands...

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/anal-glands-what?id=206524...

I seem to recall another discussion about the surgery, but I can't seem to find that one.  I'll keep looking.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I have no experience with this at all. I have read that if their stool's are too soft they are not able to push on the anal gland to express what is in there. How are your doodle's stools? If they are pretty firm I don't know what else to say. I am not sure about the nerves things and being home all day.

 

Can you see if you can hire a dog walker to let your doodle out for some play time during the day? I know this is not an option for everyone but I took my dood to day care to run and play while I was working. Again, I have no idea if nerves can cause this. The only thing I have read was about soft stool's not pushing up against the anal gland and therefor not being able to express.

 

Good luck, stinky bums are not fun!!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Here's the other discussion I was looking for....

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/anal-gland-surgery

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I vote for a second opinion. Good luck!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I second the second opinion! 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I third the second opinion. Surgery should be the last resort!

[Lynn D.]

Do as much reading on anal glands and the surgery before having it done. It's expensive and could leave your dog incontinent of bowel. I went through this with my previous dog and finally had to have her put down because of a crappy vet. (long story)

Make sure you get a second, and maybe a third opinion. Take your dood to a vet school.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I second the Vet school opinion.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Our Clumber Spaniel had deformed anal glands. One was huge and never emptied making the smell constant and horrendous. His surgery came out great and he was never stinky again. I had an amazing vet. Hoping you get great opinions for the other docs you consult. Hope all goes well.

[Michael Gurley]

Are you sure it's not just because the anal glands were impacted? My dachshund has to have her anal glands expressed every once in a while, but she doesn't need surgery to remove them. It just seems very extreme to me.

[shelly]

Did he empty them?  Sometimes some leaks out on their hair and the smell lingers... perhaps washing her up may help you determine if it's new or from the expression.  Does the vet have to express them very often?  Tori used to have this problem very often - I'm almost afraid to say it, but she hardly does now... there WAS a discussion I think in the summer about someone's dog having the surgery - I will try and find it for you...

some dogs get impacted more often than others... I have added canned pumpkin to her food daily - it works as a laxative if needed and a firmer-upper too... sometimes their stool is so soft that it can't press on the gland to empty it when they go.

 

My friend's dog actually had her anal gland blow a hole right through her skin - that's pretty common - so I heard.... I would most definitely get a second opinion.  Good luck!