Gross but whatever...

[cleverbeautiful]

I've heard people talking about squeezing (?) their dogs anal glands? What does this do? And how do you do it?

My jack russel had an infection or cyst in her anal gland (i cant remember, it might of been both now that i think about it) could this be because i was not doing something? The vet never told me about doing anything so i didn't...

This is grossing me out... bleh...

[elegy]

anal glands *should* empty on their own, but sometimes they don't, and they can get impacted, infected, and abscess, which is really really gross and can't possibly feel good. my dogs show me when they need theirs done, either by licking their bums or by doing the butt scootin' boogie across my floor. (i also have a cat who leaks if his are full, so i try to keep on top of that so i am not washing cat stink out of my hair.)

it's really not hard to do, but i'd ask your vet to show you how, so you'll know you're doing it properly. or you can have it done there if she needs it.

[cleverbeautiful]

lol thanks

[Tamara]

I am dealing with a cat right now that has an infected, abcessed anal gland.  Not pretty and definately not pleasant for the cat.  Get it taken care of by the vet definately.  Was $120 bill for me to get her squeezed flushed out, antibiotics, etc.  We are definately going to keep an eye on them from now on.  (was told this is rare in cats, much more common in dogs)

[-Kelly-]

I agree with elegy on asking your vet to show you how to do it a few times beforee you try. You can make an infection worse or cause an abcess or infection yourself if you do it wrong.

For me (I must be kinda sick or insane I guess :crazydog:), there is something satisfying about emptying AG's. I always do them in the tub at work so it's easier to clean the dog off, or if they are getting a bath as well, it's even better!

[elegy]

just remember: KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!

 

[cleverbeautiful]

LMAO That is so gross!

And I would never empty an anal gland without the vet telling me to do so or showing me how to do it because I would be chicken or too grossed out. He did do it when i brought her into the vet because her bum looked sore but he never said that i have to do it, and i thank him for that lol

On a totally random note...nobody ever uses the fro icon... i have to get this out of my system...

RELIEF!

[-Kelly-]

LOL...

[Mooser]

I have to ask, do the dogs put up with this?  I mean that seems like it might be crossing  a dog's line and they might get angry and nippy.

[Ssorca19]

depends on the dog... most of the time, when vets tell people to do it at home, they show them how to do it from the outside... not always as effective, but much more plesent for the dog (not that anals are ever plesent).  Dogs tend to put up with this a lot better than they do when the vet actually sticks their finger inside to "milk" the glands.  I've never had a problem with my dog, other than, ironically, when he basically got so stressed out at the vet that he squirted anals everywhere... and then w/in the next week ended up with an abscess, that ended up rupturing... poor boy... but since then... we've lucked out, and havent had any more problems.

to get back to the question, if your dog needs its anal glands done, and wont let you do it at home, bring it to the vet, where they have more people qualified to express them, and with more experience at holding dogs that arent wanting their glands expressed...

and just cuz i love this picture, i figured i'd let you see what an anal gland abscessed dog looks like during the healing process:

yes, that IS the most pathetic face ever...