expressing a dogs anal gland....

[HiAsAKite]

We think our greyhounds butt gland needs 'expressing'...

To be honest I didn't even really know dogs had glands there till my wife pointed out on my return home from work that the dog keeps licking its butt, and probably had a blocked anal gland.. took a look, and at 7 o'clock, just below the poop hole there s small pea shaped red lump...

Looks pretty unpleasant to me, and a little internet research seems to confirm my wife's thoughts....


At which point she points out the seeing as she usually brushes his teeth, clips his claws, removes ticks, and otherwise holds the smelly end whilst he's at the vet... I can be the one to deal with this one...

With this in mind.... do I try this myself, or bite the bullet, wimp out and go to the vet?

Edited by HiAsAKite on Tuesday 13th November 21:29

[Pints]

I can't offer much advice other than the fact my mum used to do this to our dogs when I was a kid. All I really remember is the awful stench.

[Silent1]

A good thing to do recommended to me by a vet was feed them raw chicken wings as the bones act like an anal gland expresser as they come out.

[jontymo]

Smells like fish!!!!!

You can do it yourself but to be fair i would go to the vets if it is the 1st time as you need to make sure there is no infection. My JR has it a lot but his leaks!!!!!!!! a change in food has helped.

[Seti]

Nothing to add but.......

[Vipers]

Reminds of a sketch with Jasper Carrot. He is round his girlfriends flat, and her dog is sitting on the floor licking its bks.

He says "I wish I could do that"

She said "Give him a biscuit and he'll let you"







P.S. Doesn't help I know.

[bexVN]

Go to the vet, ck not infected, if not get them to show you. Couple pointers though. There are 2 techniques external or inserting finger into rectum and gently finding gland and squeeze it between inserted finger and thumb. Basically find preferred technique (though may depend on how deep glands are) Be gentle, it's a sensitive area and easily damaged if too rough.

Do not do too often. The more you empty them the more they may need doing and will risk the dog becoming phobic about it.

[Slink]

wow, the thought of doing that has made me thing totally different of having a dog.

having to do that to a dog regularly will make me not want a dog :/

[bexVN]

Most of the time if it needs doing a vet or vet nurse will do it. Majority of owners have no need to go anywhere near them, however some owners are ok about such things so will learn to do it themselves. Most dogs have them done just once a yr at booster time.

[ScruffPatch]

I've always had dogs and only found about this earlier this year. The dog never tried to lick it, it was the fishy smell that made me realise! From what I read when I looked into its usually groomers that do the releasing?

I got rid of it by feeding him dry food for a bit, seemingly some nice solid joabies clear it out naturally.

[Jasandjules]

I reassessed my view of vet fees when he had to do this to one of our dogs........

[Thevet]

red lump/pea is not normal in my opinion. could be a burst anal gland abscess, needs diagnosis, feel free to post a pic but I may not be around all night to give my inexpert opinion. However, emptying anal glands is easy for owners of tolerant dogs after being shown what to do, telling someone without demo is rather more challenging. Most people, even those I have shown up close and personal, don't want to know. I can EAGs of all my hounds without any holding by 2nd person, but that doesn't mean it can work for everyone, some dogs have had a horribly painful experience and so react badly to any attempt to EAGs. No reason you can't do it and no reason you should.

[gd49]

Thevet said:

red lump/pea is not normal in my opinion.

I'd agree, wouldn't expect to see anything on the outside just because the anal glands are full, likely there's something beyond just full anal glands going on. Not urgent but should be going to the vets in the next couple of days.

[jontymo]

Good advice if you can see some form of lump, vet definitely should have a look.

Loads of videos on youtube by the way!!!!

[HiAsAKite]

ok- much appreciated, had found quite a few of the YouTube videos, frankly they put me off even more... off to the vets with it I feel....

[dmulally]

[A.J.M]

My lab had to get this done at 4 month's as he has sensitive bowels, the vet told me to get a good hold of him...

Oh Alfie didn't like it, was interesting trying to hold him on the table.

[A.J.M]

The dog,
The vet could move the "Mental" thread on a few pages though.
Proper loony, knew her stuff but a total nutjob.

[anonymous-user]

Slink said:

wow, the thought of doing that has made me thing totally different of having a dog.

having to do that to a dog regularly will make me not want a dog :/

Erm... I've had 2 Pointer dogs and never done this!! Have I been doing something wrong??

I also never ever had to apply any sort of flea killing stuff on either of them... which is something that other people seem aghast at, saying things like "I put Frontline on my dog EVERY month"

In fact, both dogs were 100% maintenance free right up until their last couple of years when they did need a few ailments attended to by the vet, usually stuff like ears and heart medication.

[Pothole]

Thevet said:

feel free to post a pic

Please don't. Ever.