My dog smells like a fish!!!

[Cherri Lynn Kading]

Does anyone else have a problem with their dog expressing their anal glands other than when they have a bowel movement? Sometimes Jacki will just be sitting on "her" chair and she will start to wreak! She has been checked out by the vet and they couldn't find anything wrong. The vet suggested changing her food so I am in the process of changing her from puppy food to adult food. Any other suggestions?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Is her poop usually firm?

[Cherri Lynn Kading]

yes...I have not noticed anything unusual with that so that is why I can't understand why she is still expressing the glands in the house.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't know what the vet thinks a food change would do, then. The glands are usually expressed naturally when the dog has a BM, if the stool is firm enough to put pressure on them. Dogs who have gland problems usually either have chronic soft stools, or they can have something wrong with the glands themselves. And there wouldn't be anything about adult food as opposed to puppy food that would make any difference with this, either way.

Actually, this discussion probably belongs in the Health group or the Food Group, lol.

[Cherri Lynn Kading]

I think the vet felt that the adult food would give her firmer stools. I don't they knew what to tell me either! Thanks for your reply.

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

My female Golden Retriever used to get that fishy smell every few months or so. Several people told me that females still go thru their "cycle" even though they are spayed and that is what causes that smell. Not sure if that is true or not but it made sense to me.

[Cherri Lynn Kading]

That is very interesting...I will watch the calendar carefully and see if it coincides. Thank you!

[Jeanne Rose]

Interesting. Have you tried probiotics? I did this with my last dog and it seemed to help with all poop issues, the vet had me try it. Good luck and hope you can get some good answers here.

[Cherri Lynn Kading]

Thank you! I have not heard that before. I will definitely give that a try.