Getting anal glands cleaned

[mandy15]

Hey. what does it mean when they say shorkies need their anal glands cleaned out. I was reading some of the old forums and it was said if they rub their but they need cleaned. Angel rubs her but on the ground sometimes. Does she need them cleaned and who does it and what is done when they do this. Or is this to gross to explain!

[admin]

Hi I have put a video up on video yap that shows you how to check you dogs anal glands. You can do it yourself or you can go to the vet.

Here is an article I found

 Dogs drag their bums on grass, or worse indoors on your finest carpet, some dogs will try to rub themselves on the ground. Basically when this happens it means that there is something wrong with their anal glands. It can be unconformable for your dogs, and without having any other way to relieve themselves and scratch themselves, they will start to drag their bottoms along the ground as a way of easing this pain. In fact in most cases this can do more damage than good for your dog.

Dog Anatomy

Here is a quick overview of some doggie anatomy, dogs anal sacks are just inside the dogs rectum and it’s main purpose is for scenting. They use the glands which produce a unique odour to scent their area. These glands can get blocked and cause discomfort to your pet. Because the glands are too full a pressure will build up and case discomfort. One way they indistinctly try to empty their glands is to do so by dragging their bottoms around the place. If left alone the rectal area can also start to smell rather awful, and can even result in further complications. Extreme cases include bleeding and infection of the effect area which is not nice for your dog.

If your dog is dragging his bum for an extended period of time then you should certainly bring him to the vet and get it checked up. Most vets will check the glands during a typical visit, and will empty them there. If this is a regular occurrence you can ask your vet to show you how to empty the anal glands yourself.

Also some dog grooming services may offer this service, either during a typical grooming / bathing session, or as an added extra.

Emptying Dogs Glands

Emptying dogs anal glands is quick and easy, and offers instant relief to your dog. You may want your vet to show you how to do it before attempting it yourself. The secretions can smell quite strong so be prepared (and wear gloves). Your dog’s anal sacks are located at 5 & 7 o’clock on your dogs bum. And what you do is start from the outside of the bum with your fingers and move towards the anus.

Note : In some cases worms can also cause an itching sensation and dogs try to relieve this by also dragging themselves.

[junip1977]

Totally never heard of any of this!!  If you get your dog neutered, do they still have this problem? 

[mandy15]

I'm sorry but my computer isn't bringing up the pictures on how to do it. If Angel goes poop regularly do I have to do this to her. Or does this have anything to do with pooping. I feel like a total idiot here. I never did this to my bigger dogs or is it just for small dogs. My vet never has said anything to me about doing this to our other dogs or to Angel. Spike is 11 years old and Mandy is four. I have not done this to Angel and she is eighteen weeks old. Is she alright? I goingto try to bring up the pictures again. Thanks alot for the help.

[mandy15]

Also does anybody else know about this or is it just me and junip1977. We might be the only ones. Oh!

[Mai Tai]

Mandy, I have had dogs all my life (big dogs) and I did not hear about this until a friend's dog (dachshund) had a problem with the anal glands a few years ago.  Supposedly, if they do a normal poop (not too soft) then the act of pooping squeezes the anal glands and helps keep them from getting clogged up.  If their poop is too soft, then you can have a problem.  Mai Tai is 3, and Mo is 2, and I have never had to do anything about the anal glands, and the vet has never mentioned it either.  My sister has a cockapoo whose anal glands get clogged all the time because she has runny poop.  Wonder if this is more of a small dog problem than a big dog problem?  Anyway, lovely subject.

[Ann]

Well Toby didn't have this problem till a few months ago. He was six in march. I have heard that it is more common in little dogs.
If you go to the Vidoe Yap section on the first page you will see the video but here is a link to the video on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=anal+glands+&aq=f

[Pinky]

Stormy's breeder told me about it when I went to go see Stormy so that's how I learned about it ha. I've never nor would I ever do it myself bc that's just sick ha but Stormy has it done every time she gets groomed. The vet might do it too. Mine does, but it's like $20 meanwhile it's included in Stormy's grooming package so I just let her groomer do it.

[KateB]

Some groomers do it automatically but some will do it only if asked, others may not even do it at all or only with a fee. I think it may be more common in small dogs than bigger dogs.

[ellietoo]

If you go to the groomer make sure you ask to make sure it is done. Not all dogs have a big problem with this. All breeds of dogs have the glands but apparently some deal with it themselves. I remember my Mom always telling us that if a dog scooted along on their butt that it meant they had worms. Obviously an old wives tale, don't tell my mom that though.

[mandy15]

That's what my Mom told me too. Every time Mandy scoots on the grass I check to see if she has worms. Actually a couple of times she did. I just had Angel groomed,in which she was cut very short. I really like it and she does too. So much cooler and not having to comb her hair hardly which she hates. Anyway I got off the subject. Angel has been scooting her but on the ground. She did today. I guess the groomer didn't do it. I think I'm going to check with the vet. Becaiuse in a week she's going on her first vacation. About a five hour drive and I want her to be comfortable.

[mandy15]

Oh, I just wanted to tell you my name is Tara not Mandy. I didn't want you to think I was scooting on the ground. Ha Ha! Mandy's my 55 pound part Keeshond and chow which Angel is best friends with.

[ellietoo]

Once a dog has been worm free they shouldn't be getting more worms unless they are eating tainted food or if they have had some fleas. Those nasty fleas spread tape worm. So if your dog or cat has had more than one or two fleas you can bet they have tape worms as well scooting or no scooting. Tape worm medication can be kind of hard on the system so I usually wait until flea season is over to worm them.
As far as the ticks go.......is there anything topical that actually works? My cats had the Frontline that is supposed to be for fleas and ticks and yet they would come home with huge engorged ticks on them anyway! The vet just said that it had been a really bad tick season but that does not explain why they are not reacting to the insecticide.

[shorkiejem]

There is a small bit of truth to worms possibly causing some scooting, for the most part, usually anal glands.  I do Jemma's about once every 3 months.  I usually get a little and I could probably go a year.  But I always tend to be on the safer side.
I know there are a couple of ways you can do this.  Vets normally insert a finger into the anus and where the gland is on each side compresses. With some dogs like small breed such as a Shorkie, no need do. You can feel the anal glands outside the anus on each side.  I just put my two fingers on each side of the anus by the anal glands, squeeze and push up at the same time and viola, it is done.  Normally it is a dark brown in color and SMELLS!!!

[mandy15]

I agree that it is the anal glands that cause them to scoot. Angel is finally over her worms with a second dosing of medicine and now she's scooting again. I think I'm going to try to do it myself. The vet said don't feel bad the fleas are bad this season. I'm exhausted!We had the house and yard professionally sprayed which cost a arm and a leg. I know have to wash all the bedding and our clothes. They said our house didn't have them near as badly as some. They said some when you walk in the fleas actually jump on the legs up to their ankles. Gross! He didn't see any in our house but said the eggs are in the carpet. I knew we had them because I kept getting bit. We washed our outside dogs and Angel with flea and tick shampoo. And we were put on comfromtis pills for the dogs. I didn't spell that right. They said a flea bomb just kills the alive fleas but not the eggs in the carpet. No more coming in for the outside dogs which started this.