anal glands

How often do you get your dogs anal glands squeezed? We take ollie about once a month and I know it's time because of the foul odor but I feel like this is a lot? The vet said it's normal but I feel like other pet owners don't take their dogs this much? Also, do you take your dog to the vet to get this done or does your groomer do it?

Re: anal glands

Bella was a year in Oct and only had this done once. I don't think you need to unless there is a problem, at least I am assuming this is the case

I am not sure why your dog has a foul order and if that is the reason, is that normal?

Re: anal glands

We never had to take our other three dogs (well, I think the Golden had to have his expressed once).

Maddie on the other hand needed hers done at 7 months old - she was licking A LOT and after she licked there was a metallic smlle (not necessarily foul). That was in December and so far so good.

Message edited 2/5/2009 7:56:44 PM.

Re: anal glands

I've never had to have Misty's done, but I had a Doberman and his had to be done monthly. I asked the vet how to do it, he showed me and every month I would take him outside and do it....it's gross, but it saved me a lot of time and money.

Re: anal glands

We haven't had to do it but I did see Brinkley scoot once. I paid close attention after that and it was only that once.

I read that it depends on a lot of things but if your dog does well on his food and has firm poops, it expresses the glands for them on the way out. Which is probably why Brinkley's poop smells SO bad.

I'm a worry wart so I would probably have the vet do it rather than a groomer. I heard that there's a YouTube video on how to do it. I've never had the inclination to go look.

Re: anal glands

yea the vet showed me how to do it but I really don't want to do it myself. She doesn't scoot but she does a lot of licking and there's a fishy odor so that's how I know it's time. Now I'm nervous that it's something else but the smell always goes away after she gets her glands squeezed so I think that is what it is. I'm just not sure why she needs it so often. I have asked the vet and he didn't think it was abnormal.

Re: anal glands

Re: anal glands

Yes I do it myself every 2 weeks or so I can see when its time when the obsessive licking starts.. She actually loves to have it done.. It must be very uncomfortable for her.. I say come lola let mommy wipe your cooley and she runs into the bathroom and waits by the tub.. I was shown by my vet how to do it.. Now that I am preggo I gag alot it stinks but I have to do what I have to do.. She sleeps in my bed with me I really HAD to learn.. We do it in the tub and I wash the area very well after with soap and water and I sterilize the tub and its done.. She runs around like a nut after

Re: anal glands

every so often my dogs get this done but they really don't seem to have any issues if it doesn't get done.

Re: anal glands

Re: anal glands

My dog gets it done every 2 weeks when she gets groomed. I'm not sure if there is a "too much" time frame. Or at least not that i know of! I guess you can notice a smell or they drag their butts across the floor. but I don't let it get that far...

Re: anal glands

Re: anal glands

My dog needs hers done about once a month too.

Message edited 4/9/2015 8:37:37 PM.

Re: anal glands

One of my dogs only needed his expressed once (in about 3 years), and the other one is up to 3 or 4 times by now. It just depends on the dog - some of them do it just fine on their own and never need help, some of them need it done every now and then, and others need it a lot. Certain breeds are known to have more problems than others. If your vet's not worried, then you shouldn't worry.

Re: anal glands

One of my pups has this done every few months. We take him to the vet when he starts scooting
Our other dog has never had this problem.
It depends on the dog.