Anal Glands

Scoob · 10-10-2007, 01:33 PM

My Rudy licks his anus too often. My vet drained the anal glands and they were full. My vet said they normally drain when the dog has a bowel movement. He said they can be surgically removed when he is neutered. Has anyone had to have their dog's anal glands removed?

Thank you,

Scoob (Jim)

Murreydobe · 10-10-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoob

My Rudy licks his anus too often. My vet drained the anal glands and they were full. My vet said they normally drain when the dog has a bowel movement. He said they can be surgically removed when he is neutered. Has anyone had to have their dog's anal glands removed?

Thank you,

Scoob (Jim)

Anal gland removal is, I think, more common in smaller breeds who aren't as active.

Personally, I wouldn't agree to this surgery unless the dog had frequent abcesses of the anal gland. Having to drain them once wouldn't be enough to justify removing them.

**Burns** · 10-10-2007, 02:13 PM

I totally agree with Murreydobe.

Some dogs' glands don't empty as completely as other dogs during a bowel movement, so in these cases, you can either learn to express them yourself, or take him to the vet every month or two to have them expressed. Your vet or tech can show you how to do it at home if you like.

Like Murreydobe said, unless he is having abscesses because of it, there's no reason to have them removed. Watch for excessive licking and/or scooting - this can mean the glands are full and need to be expressed.

alwayshadpets · 10-10-2007, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoob

My Rudy licks his anus too often. My vet drained the anal glands and they were full. My vet said they normally drain when the dog has a bowel movement. He said they can be surgically removed when he is neutered. Has anyone had to have their dog's anal glands removed?

Thank you,

Scoob (Jim)

My daughters` dog had to have his expressed a few times a year when he was younger. He doesn`t have that problem anymore. I wouldn`t do it.

Scoob · 10-10-2007, 05:01 PM

Thanks, I can always wait. Even after having them drained by the vet, he still licks his butt. It's no big deal. He has been tested for worms. I just think about it after he licks his butt than later licks my face.

Scoob (Jim)

**DreamDoby** · 10-10-2007, 06:08 PM

I express my parents pom and beagles glands frequently. They were looking into having the pom's removed becaused they were getting abcessed a few times. According to a few vets that we talked to about this, the a risk of it leaves a possibility of leaving your dog some type of continence issues. They weighed it out and opted out of it unless it worsened.

Scoob · 10-10-2007, 06:49 PM

Thanks all for the posts. I can wait. I don't want to take a chance on continence issues.

Thank you,

Scoob (Jim)

Julie W · 10-10-2007, 07:41 PM

I agree with the masses here. Some dogs need their anal glands expressed, although it is not as common in dobermans. IMO surgery should be a last resort if you can't keep them in control through regular expressing. I did have to have one anal gland removed from one of my whippets years ago, but it was constantly impacted and not normal. I still expressed it regularly, sometimes I couldn't get it and my vet had to do it. The exudate wasn't normal, but very thick and pasty. It eventually ruptured, at which time I had it surgically removed.

StarlaineK9 · 10-10-2007, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoob

Thanks all for the posts. I can wait. I don't want to take a chance on continence issues.

Thank you,

Scoob (Jim)

Yes, fecal incontinance is no fun. :P

Elaine

Scoob · 10-10-2007, 08:42 PM

He has good bowel movements. They are a little loose but only because I have been changing his food. Rudy will end up on either Innova or Canadiae.

Scoob (Jim)