Question about Anal Glands
Hi, We have 2 corgis Mazzy (2 yrs) & Harry (10 months) and both seem to have some issues with their anal glands not being able to drain normally. No issues with becoming impacted- really they'll just be sitting around & you'll smell that foul/fishy odor.
We've changed their food from Iams to Canidae ALS & add pumpkin or rice regularly - both corgis stool is normal. The stool was normal even on Iams but we wanted to change to a better food w/o all the grain & that is what our breeder recommended. We've taken Mazzy to the vet for this & he has shown us how to express the glands at home if needed and he told us about the surgery to remove them but we don't want to put either dog through that as it sounds pretty painful for them.
I just feel it's strange that both dogs seem to have the same problem & wonder what we might be able to do to help the issue. I'd appreciate any suggestions...thanks!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chris West on
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Here's another discussion that was up recently about this issue. Has a couple of suggestions. Good luck!!
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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on
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seems like it would be environmental if both dogs have it. Maybe it is the food even though its a high quality food. All dogs respond differently to food. I changed my dogs food from purina one to Canidae and they both started STINKING! Not anal glands or anything, just an overwhelming dog smell, we switched back to lower quality food after a few months and the problem went away. Iams is an ok brand (I know I will get a lot of disagreement for this) and if your dogs were doing well on it, no reason to switch. Or if you truly did want a premium food, maybe try another like Innova, Blue Buffalo, Orijen, etc. There are lots out there to try and see if you have the same issue
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Permalink Reply by B. Murphy on
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Thanks for your reply. Maybe we will try changing food again, though the anal glands were not any better when they were fed Iams. I guess Eukanuba would be a step up from Iams if we went that route? Or maybe we will try Innova or Blue Buffalo. I just hate to keep switching their food around when it doesn't seem to be making a difference with the fishy issue!
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Permalink Reply by Diane Burda on
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Our 6 year old male Pembroke, Gunny has had the same issues from the get go. I cannot bring myself to stick my finger up his butt to express the darn thing so I take him to the vet tech regularly...especially before we go on long car trips( experience taught us that ) or before family holidays where lots of [people will be in the house. Somehow I think excitement or nervousness makes that gland pop. I have noticed that he hasn't had an accidental pop in a couple months( and I haven't had it drained at the vets for a while either) but not sure why. He was having "explosions" monthly until I started taking him for monthly expressions. I wonder if the cold weather could have anything to do with it?
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Yes, excitement & nervousness definetly add to the issues. I'm glad to hear we're not alone in this but wish there was an answer other than surgery to get these darn things to stop stinkin'!
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I read about the surgery but it sounds risky( loss of bowel control) and painful. I found that routine( monthly) visits to the vet tech solved the problem of suprise"attacks".( $144. a year for a bunny butt ...but worth it).Here is a recipe I got that is supposed to help anal gland issues: 2C flour(whole grain if possible), 1 C Rolled Oats,1/2 tsp Cinnamon,1/2 tsp Nutmeg,1/4 tsp Salt,1/2 tsp. Baking Powder, 1'2 tsp Baking Soda,2/3 C canola Oil, 2 C. canned Pumpkin,1 tsp Vanilla. Bake in muffin tin( 1/3 full) for 15 to 20 mins at 350 Degrees
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Permalink Reply by Jane on
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It could have something to do with allergies maybe. I have heard that dogs with allergies tend to have more "full" glands, but I'm no expert. Are the dogs from the same breeder? I'm not sure if there's any genetic link but it's hard to say what would be causing both of them to have troubles, besides their food.
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Both dogs are from the same breeder. We have definetly noticed allergies with our older dog in the spring- and will give her benedryl as needed. And the puppy has leaky eyes from time to time. I had wondered if allergies could be the issue too b/c I had read a little about that but it sounded like it's difficult to pin point what the allergy is- do you know how they treat allergies in dogs?
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Permalink Reply by Zach and Lisa on
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Some dogs can express their anal glands and some can't. It's a good thing that you know what the issue is because some pet owners have brought their dogs to us(groomers) after the gland has ruptured and that's just...something you don't want to have happen. Vets do express the anal glands internally however you can express them externally. It is not necessary for you to stick your finger up there. Granted, you will not get every last bit completely out, you will get the majority of it. It is perfectly fine to do it this way as long as they are not causing your dog pain or look painful. All you do is raise the tail or nub perpendicular to the ceiling and with your other hand press in with your thumb and pointer finger about 1/2"-1" from the sides of bunghole region and squeeze. They should feel like hard little grapes. WARNING!!! Do NOT bend over to look and see if you are doing it right, you will know by the smell. Sometimes anal glands are juicy and may squirt in various directions. Don't be alarmed with the consistency that comes out, it's fine. If you have never had them done and don't notice any problem like this, don't mess with them. If it's not broke, don't try and fix it. After expressing the glands please wash your dog or at least the butt. The smell stays on the fur and skin otherwise and will not stop smelling like rotting putrid poop! I don't know how much you pay to get the internal gland expressing done but most groomers do it for free with a bath if you simply ask. It may be cheaper to do it that way.
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thanks for the "how to" I might try that...I didn't know that it could be done without putting your finger into the butt! Whew to the Poo! I don't get him bathed monthly ( he has such dry skin already) so the monthly vet tech expression(costly) way is the way we have done it. . and ooo it smells all the way home in the car...no amount of doderant spray that the vet tech sprays on him will lose the smell....and yes he immediatley gets a bum wash when we get home...
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Markley on
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I'd advise washing your hands afterwards too... :-)
I'm an ER nurse and worked as a vet tech also years ago, and this is something I can NOT bring myself to do. I can handle all things known to mammals, except this.
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