Could Charlie's Food Be Causing Anal Gland Problems?

[Samantha & Charlie]

It's been awhile since I posted...but I'm lost as to what to do....

So ever since I switched to the Acana Singles line late last year, Charlie has done really well with his allergies. His stool has never been an issue like it was in the past, and his itchiness has gone down. However, 4 months ago, he started having issues with his anal glands.

At the time, he was on Acana Singles Pork and Butternut Squash for several months. After taking him to the groomer in April, he started biting his behind to the point it left stain marks from his saliva. So I took him to the vet, where he had his glands expressed. Fast forward to June, he is still biting his behind. I take him to the vet for his annual, where his glands were already full and needed expressed again. They said it could be his food (I don't know why as he was on it for several months), but I switched to Acana Singles Duck and Bartlett Pear. He's been on that for almost 2 months and is still biting.

Could this be related to food or something else? I'm praying it's not his food because he's been on every type of food brand it seems like. And again, his stool is completely fine (I know this can be a warning sign of his glands being bad). I was then thinking if all of this was due to separation anxiety....

Suggestions?? Should I switch foods?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's very doubtful that the anal gland issues are from his food. If the stool is firm and well formed, his anal glands should express naturally and not become impacted. But some dogs have anal gland problems due to thicker or more copious secretions than normal. Some dogs have actually had to have surgery to remove the anal glands because of chronic problems. 

One problem may very well be allowing the groomer to express the glands. Most groomers do it externally, which can actually cause them to become impacted. The anal glands should only ever be expressed internally. Has the groomer expressed them since the first incident in April? 

You could try adding more fiber to his diet, with pumpkin or sweet potatoes. You could also pick up some pure psyllium fiber; the name brand is Konsyl, but most drugstores have a generic version which is cheaper. Just make sure there aren't any added flavorings, sugars, etc. You can try mixing a teaspoon of the psyllium into something soft like plain yogurt or mashed sweet potatoes, and adding that to his meals.

But honestly, the Singles formulas have a pretty high fiber content, it's 6.5% in both formulas you've used, and that's higher than just about any kibble other than Rx foods. I don't think switching to another food is going to make a difference with the anal glands. Is he showing any other allergy symptoms?

[Samantha & Charlie]

Thanks Karen! You are always so helpful.

Well, he was at the groomer in April, and then went back a few weeks ago. Both times, they expressed the glands. Then in between, he has had them expressed internally at the vet. So I believe it's been twice with a groomer externally and three times at the vet internally. He has gone so much for it that I'm starting to lose count.

As far as other allergy symptoms, I honestly don't see anything else other than the occasional scratch. He no longer gets ear infections or eye boogers. Sometimes his stool is hard, but very rare he gets diarrhea (which used to be a major issue). I wouldn't be questioning the food if it wasn't for the biting on his behind.

Would you add more fiber or not since the Singles line already has enough? Not food related, but when I'm told the glands are full, should I have them expressed or wait? I hear the more often you do it, the glands become weaker and you have to get them expressed more. That's why I am trying to not take him back every month but I also don't want this issue to grow into a huge problem and for him to be uncomfortable. Ughhh so confused :(

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I know we've talked about this quite a bit before, but none of what you're describing are really primary allergy symptoms. They can be part of it, but the main, always present symptom of any kind of allergy in dogs is intense itching, and the subsequent biting scratching and licking cause hot spots & skin infections. Anal gland issues, ear infections, diarrhea, eye boogers, these by themselves without the itching are not indicative of allergies. And of course, even if there are allergies, food is rarely the cause. 

I'm very surprised that your vet didn't advise you not to let the groomer express his anal glands.That's really important. 

I'd go ahead and try the extra fiber. It can't hurt, and might help. If this continues, you may have to talk to the vet about exploring the anal gland issue further.