The fun topic of Anal Glands... and my Springer

[Hornseeker]

I am just wondering how much experience any of you have with this issue. My boy had a couple bouts where he was leaking or expressing them at inopportune times from 1 - 2 1/2 yrs old... and now he seems to be having the issue more often. I successfully expressed them, externally, a couple times but have not been able to get anything out the last few times I've tried... ugh.

Does anyone know if more exercise, a dog being in better shape, a certain diet... whatever, can alleviate this issue somewhat or is regular expression going to be the norm...

Thanks for any input!

[AspenBud]

I am just wondering how much experience any of you have with this issue. My boy had a couple bouts where he was leaking or expressing them at inopportune times from 1 - 2 1/2 yrs old... and now he seems to be having the issue more often. I successfully expressed them, externally, a couple times but have not been able to get anything out the last few times I've tried... ugh.

Does anyone know if more exercise, a dog being in better shape, a certain diet... whatever, can alleviate this issue somewhat or is regular expression going to be the norm...

Thanks for any input!

If the dog has squishy poop it might be helpful to change him over to something that leads harder poop since that will put pressure on the glands and express them when he does his business.

Honestly though, I have a dog that has had chronic issues with his anal glands for years. We generally know there is a problem when his butt turns pink from too much licking. It's basically a bi-monthly ritual for us. His glands sometimes get clogged and expressing them externally does not work in that case.

[jackelope]

My yellow dog had the same bi-monthly ritual. My dad had his vet, who was also a friend, taught him how to do it himself on his dog...he tried to talk me into learning how to do it myself...nope, not me. No way, no how. Best $30 I ever spent every other month or so.

[fly-by]

Had an English Foxhound that had real issues with this.  Vet showed the wife and me how to DIY.  We looked at each other and scheduled a surgical removal on the spot.

Not that expensive from what I recall and no more driving to the vet just to get "expressed"

[Hornseeker]

lmao... hehehe

I dont have a prob doing it, but am struggling with it. I am hoping to get good at doing it externally... could really handle NOT having to use Mr. Jelly Finger, but I am a tight sob and to save 30 per 2 months... thats $180 per year!! Hell... I could put 3 tanks of gas in my truck for that little 30 minutes total worth of work!! hehehe

[L-ofalab]

There are good instructions.

How to express / squeeze dog's anal glands (Foul projectile alert)- NicFoundLand Australia Vet Blog

How to Express Your Dog's Anal Glands

[bknilvr00]

This is a real back door thread...

Sent from my space modulator.

[L-ofalab]

Sorry about that! I thought it would just post the web site not the color close ups.

[Hornseeker]

Excellent!!!

[runamuk]

I am just wondering how much experience any of you have with this issue. My boy had a couple bouts where he was leaking or expressing them at inopportune times from 1 - 2 1/2 yrs old... and now he seems to be having the issue more often. I successfully expressed them, externally, a couple times but have not been able to get anything out the last few times I've tried... ugh.

Does anyone know if more exercise, a dog being in better shape, a certain diet... whatever, can alleviate this issue somewhat or is regular expression going to be the norm...

Thanks for any input!

usually if you have been able to express them and then cannot and there isnt swelling etc then its likely they are operating properly not to say they wont have an issue.  I know dogs who have developed issues from being expressed too often.  Its easy enough to do and when I was a groomer it was requested occasionally, its messy and stinks for sure, but on a scale of icky animal procedures its a little easier than sheath cleaning and less gross than abscess flushing.  Diet can also make a difference in dogs with chronic problems.