Anal Gland Issues…

[Antman408]

Haven’t posted in awhile, been a busy last 12 months for me.

In the last 6 months Rex and Trixie have both developed an anal gland problem. Their sacs are full and they’ve been expressing them on the furniture and in their crates.

They are not infected. Their stools are firm(sometimes too firm) and regular (two times a day). While they go I can see drips of the fluid. I’ve tried giving psyllium husk to make their stools firmer and that hasn’t helped. I’m going to ad a probiotic to their diet. Their currently being fed natures logic.

I’ve been to the vet but they don’t seem interested in helping, just expressing them. I’d like to take care of this to where I don’t have to express them. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks in advance.

 

[jazzies mum]

I have noticed that Jazz does express anal fluid when pooping, especially with the final shutoff push! (I feel only Dobe owners take such careful notice. ). She only seems to leave that nasty anal gland smell when she is in the car and all tense and excited.

By accident I found that when we were playing and I grabbed her tail and firmly pulled upwards, not a yank, but pressure enough to stretch her butt she would lose several drops of anal fluid if the sacs were full. Guess this only works if there is a full tail to grip though. Several people have mentioned their dogs having pretty active anal glands and if not infected it is probably not a problem to your dog but not so nice for us!

Sorry I can't be much help here.

 

[Ravenbird]

No help from me either, just want to say my dog has had "leaky" anal glands all her life, but intermittently, and almost always when she's relaxed or asleep, so not "blowing" them when overstimulated. It's weird. Unpleasant, but only happens every few months or so, so I gave up trying to find cause or cure. It happens way less now than when she was a puppy. Rex & Trixie are older, right?

 

[Rits]

I'm pretty sure it's normal when they have a BM. Helps things along... I've only once smelled that very unique smell and it was when we had the excitement of an addition to the house. Never experienced it with the dobes before that.

 

[Antman408]

No help from me either, just want to say my dog has had "leaky" anal glands all her life, but intermittently, and almost always when she's relaxed or asleep, so not "blowing" them when overstimulated. It's weird. Unpleasant, but only happens every few months or so, so I gave up trying to find cause or cure. It happens way less now than when she was a puppy. Rex & Trixie are older, right?

Rex is almost 5 and Trixie is around 3. The problem came out of nowhere. They express their glands with vowel movements too. I ordered a pro biotic and some fiber to add to meals. Hoping this helps.


However rex and Trixie are both overweight so I’m wondering if this has to do with it. I’ve cut back on meal size this week and increasing activity. Maybe this has something to do with it?

 

[JanS]

However rex and Trixie are both overweight so I’m wondering if this has to do with it.

It could be if there's fat in the area and they aren't able to express them naturally.

 

[Kaiser2016]

Nice to see you back!

Kaiser blew his when he was adjusting to getting nails done as a pup but nothing since then, so I think high stress situations would trigger this in him. That drip that people are mentioning, I definitely see that when he poops. Could you give a raw meaty bone to help expel the glands? It could be that the kibble poop is too soft and therefore they don’t expel regularly enough thus causing problems. Once a week should be enough.

Also, if they are overweight, I’m sure that is contributing to it too.

 

[Antman408]

Thanks for the reply guys. There kibble poops are equally as hard as the raw poops. Unfortunately I had to switch to kibble because of cost. Had a child and had to make some changes to my expenses.

Jan makes sense as there bottoms are a little plump. I’ll try the meaty bone if the pro biotics and fiber don’t help.

 

[Kaiser2016]

Had a child and had to make some changes to my expenses.

 

[Antman408]

Thank you.

 

[Kswoodssue]

I worked for a vet when I was younger. I got the job of expressing anal glands. Smaller food portions is good. Also time spent off leash outside is good. That booty scootin boogie works best in grass.

 

[Antman408]

I worked for a vet when I was younger. I got the job of expressing anal glands. Smaller food portions is good. Also time spent off leash outside is good. That booty scootin boogie works best in grass.

They aren’t dragging. Just will drip here or there. Or will lick their butts and express it that way and it gets on the furnitire.

 

[GennyB]

I ordered a pro biotic and some fiber to add to meals. Hoping this helps.

It should but I would look into pumpkin seed fiber specifically. Lots of other benefits so big bonus there!

8 BENEFITS OF PUMPKIN AND PUMPKIN SEED FOR PETS​

BENEFITS OF PUMPKIN FOR DOGS, AND PUMPKIN SEED FIBER FOR DOGS AND CATS​

As pumpkin season approaches, we start to think about the health benefits of this squash, for both ourselves and our pets. There are multiple proven benefits to giving pumpkin to dogs and it is quite a common supplement for pets for a number of reasons. While pumpkin is a great supplement for specific conditions for pets, there are a variety forms in which it can be given, some offering more benefits for pets than others.

1. FIBER​

Pumpkin seed fiber is a great way to make sure that your dog or cat is getting enough protein, carbohydrates, and fiber. This added soluble fiber slows digestion, helps absorb water if mild diarrhea is a problem, and can help resolve mild constipation as well. Added pumpkin seed fiber can help your pet feel fuller and may help with weight loss. By bulking up the stool, pumpkin seed fiber provides relief for anal gland irritation and disease by promoting normal anal gland expression before they become impacted or infected, which can help avoid repeated trips to your veterinarian. In cats, this added soluble fiber may also help with hairball problems, as the added pumpkin seed fiber can help pass hair through the digestive tract.

"Pumpkin seed fiber provides relief for anal gland irritation and disease by promoting normal anal gland expression..."

2. OMEGA FATTY ACIDS​

Omega fatty acids provide a variety of benefits to our pets’ diets and giving pumpkin seed to dogs and cats supplies these fatty acids in large quantities. Omega fatty acids are essential for healthy skin, joint function, heart health, and brain chemistry; and adding a plant-based omega fatty acid source like the pumpkin seed fiber in Glandex can help maintain the health of your pet by providing those benefits.

3. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES​

Ground pumpkin seeds, when given to dogs and cats, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory benefits for anal gland disease and intestinal health, which can help with irritation, inflammation, and pain in the anal glands, and can further decrease chronic anal gland disease. This means fewer trips to have those glands expressed and less pain and aggravation for everyone.

4. ALLERGIES​

Pumpkin seeds are loaded with magnesium, which can help to relax respiratory muscles and open up airways. Supplementing with Glandex may help with environmental allergies in our pets!

5. PARASITES​

Intestinal parasites can add to any intestinal or anal gland disease and make the situation more complicated. Pumpkin seed fiber given to dogs and cats contain something called Cucurbitin, which is an amino acid that can act as a natural de-worming agent. While your dog or cat will likely need other regular de-worming medications as directed by your veterinarian, this supplement can help to keep your pet parasite free and decrease intestinal inflammation.

6. VITAMINS AND MINERALS​

Pumpkin seeds contain Vitamin A to support vision health, Vitamin C to help boost the immune system and support joint health, and Zinc which can help improve skin and hair coat for your pet, and also provides powerful support to the immune system. The addition of pumpkin seed in Glandex provides a convenient, easy to administer way to help make sure that your pet is receiving enough of these vitamins when given as directed.

7. ANTIOXIDANTS​

Pumpkin seeds contain high levels of beta-carotene and Vitamin E, powerful anti-oxidants to help slow the aging process when given to your dog or cat.

8. OILS​

Oils found in the pumpkin seed are believed to support urinary health, so dogs and cats with a urinary disease may also benefit from this supplement.

 

[Antman408]

It should but I would look into pumpkin seed fiber specifically. Lots of other benefits so big bonus there!

8 BENEFITS OF PUMPKIN AND PUMPKIN SEED FOR PETS​

BENEFITS OF PUMPKIN FOR DOGS, AND PUMPKIN SEED FIBER FOR DOGS AND CATS​

As pumpkin season approaches, we start to think about the health benefits of this squash, for both ourselves and our pets. There are multiple proven benefits to giving pumpkin to dogs and it is quite a common supplement for pets for a number of reasons. While pumpkin is a great supplement for specific conditions for pets, there are a variety forms in which it can be given, some offering more benefits for pets than others.

1. FIBER​

Pumpkin seed fiber is a great way to make sure that your dog or cat is getting enough protein, carbohydrates, and fiber. This added soluble fiber slows digestion, helps absorb water if mild diarrhea is a problem, and can help resolve mild constipation as well. Added pumpkin seed fiber can help your pet feel fuller and may help with weight loss. By bulking up the stool, pumpkin seed fiber provides relief for anal gland irritation and disease by promoting normal anal gland expression before they become impacted or infected, which can help avoid repeated trips to your veterinarian. In cats, this added soluble fiber may also help with hairball problems, as the added pumpkin seed fiber can help pass hair through the digestive tract.

2. OMEGA FATTY ACIDS​

Omega fatty acids provide a variety of benefits to our pets’ diets and giving pumpkin seed to dogs and cats supplies these fatty acids in large quantities. Omega fatty acids are essential for healthy skin, joint function, heart health, and brain chemistry; and adding a plant-based omega fatty acid source like the pumpkin seed fiber in Glandex can help maintain the health of your pet by providing those benefits.

3. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES​

Ground pumpkin seeds, when given to dogs and cats, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory benefits for anal gland disease and intestinal health, which can help with irritation, inflammation, and pain in the anal glands, and can further decrease chronic anal gland disease. This means fewer trips to have those glands expressed and less pain and aggravation for everyone.

4. ALLERGIES​

Pumpkin seeds are loaded with magnesium, which can help to relax respiratory muscles and open up airways. Supplementing with Glandex may help with environmental allergies in our pets!

5. PARASITES​

Intestinal parasites can add to any intestinal or anal gland disease and make the situation more complicated. Pumpkin seed fiber given to dogs and cats contain something called Cucurbitin, which is an amino acid that can act as a natural de-worming agent. While your dog or cat will likely need other regular de-worming medications as directed by your veterinarian, this supplement can help to keep your pet parasite free and decrease intestinal inflammation.

6. VITAMINS AND MINERALS​

Pumpkin seeds contain Vitamin A to support vision health, Vitamin C to help boost the immune system and support joint health, and Zinc which can help improve skin and hair coat for your pet, and also provides powerful support to the immune system. The addition of pumpkin seed in Glandex provides a convenient, easy to administer way to help make sure that your pet is receiving enough of these vitamins when given as directed.

7. ANTIOXIDANTS​

Pumpkin seeds contain high levels of beta-carotene and Vitamin E, powerful anti-oxidants to help slow the aging process when given to your dog or cat.

8. OILS​

Oils found in the pumpkin seed are believed to support urinary health, so dogs and cats with a urinary disease may also benefit from this supplement.

Do you have a link to a product I can buy?

 

[GennyB]

Do you have a link to a product I can buy?

I don't. I grow my own pumpkins because I use them for several things. They have a ton of health benefits for people also.
I think @strykerdobe uses pumpkin seeds for his dogs. He may have a link.
I'll look for one in the meantime.

 

[strykerdobe]

Product wise we look for Organic plain canned pumpkin. Also, if buying seeds look for Organic plain seeds. Best to grind the seeds in like an electric coffee grinder. Grinding them by hand takes some time. Whole seeds they might just pass them.
We do the grinded seeds once a month for a week.
About a 1/4-1/2Tsp for every 10# of body weight.

 

[GennyB]

Check your local grocery for these.



Should work out perfect. Organic, no salt and a reasonable quantity so you don't have to worry about storing a huge amount.

 

[HelenaG]

Mine refuse to eat pumkin seeds... I tired to add it but even if I just sprinke a little on top of meat or pellets they wouldn't eat. They just hate it for some reason

 

[JanS]

Product wise we look for Organic plain canned pumpkin.

Same here and we always keep some on hand.

Mine refuse to eat pumkin seeds... I tired to add it but even if I just sprinke a little on top of meat or pellets they wouldn't eat.

You should make in intro post in the introduction section so we can properly welcome you.

 

[Dasz88]

I second (or third or fourth) adding pumpkin! My last dog had this problem in his older age and my vet suggested pumpkin- it made a huge difference!