Anal glands (bleugh)

[belindarose]

We haven't had a problem with this before but dog suddenly smells to high heaven. I've booked a vets appointment for tomorrow as I can only assume it's his anal glands so want him checked over and 'dealt with'.

I can't describe the smell. If it is the glands and they are emptied, will it disappear straight away? I'm only bothered as 40 weeks pg and don't want to bring baby back to a stinky house (and DD won't come into the kitchen as it 'mells' too much!). All doors and windows open today!

Does he smell like the docks during a heat wave? A sort of rotten fish stench? When Jasper's glands were infected I thought I was living in the penguin enclosure at the zoo. Your dog might have an infection, in which case the vet will give him antibiotics. It may take a few days for the smell to disapate. If they're just full, relief is instant. But the gland contents is noxious stuff and everything it touches will honk.

I remember you posting about Jasper's stench before. Yes, it's pretty much as you describe. He looks a bit miserable so could be an infection too I suppose (although it's probably just his pleading spaniel eyes that I'm falling for as usual). I'll steam clean the sofas and carpet tomorrow when it's done.

I keep some baby wipes in for just this occurence. Although I now express his glands weekly myself. No, I'm not proud, and yes, I bulk buy latex gloves and gin.

It varies from fishy, to sweet, to pooh no two dogs have the same smell. No certain you need to do all that steam cleaning.
Current evidence is that the more we express anal glands the more they need doing so we do them when dogs show signs of them needing emptying.

Is he scooting? Jasper always scoots along the living room rug and tries to shove his face up his bum when he's uncomfortable. Unfortunately, he is broken

Yes my pug has this too. I ttook her to the vet and oh my god I nearly threw up in his sink the smell was so bad!

Now they need doing again I know to breathe through my nose!

Grossest smell ever. My dogs get this from time to time and I've observed that when they are getting lots of really good, vigorous, off-leash walks it happens far less frequently. My theory is that exercise (as well as good quality food obviously) helps them stay "regular" which helps with the correct functioning of the anal glands. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the glands are supposed to empty themselves naturally when the dog is doing it's business?

Yes they are but some dogs are susceptible it seems (like mine). My mum doesnt even know what anal glands are and she had a golden retriever for 15 years!

The food is not an issue for my pug as she is fed nature diet, however I concede the exercise may be. One for vigorous exercise she ain't :o

Interesting about the walks. As I'm very pregnant, his walks haven't been as vigorous as usual for a few weeks, although he has had a few decent off lead ones with a swim.

I'd wondered if they tended to get worse and need doing more often once they're started. I'll see what the vet says tomorrow.

Jasper's are definitely better if he's having raw chicken wings a couple of times a week. Keeping the poo firm helps. But some dogs are just knackered in that department. Jas can't empty his fully, so over time they gradually fill and if left become infected. Now I don the gloves, a quick squeeze and it's all over. My vet actually showed me how to do it, because he had three infections in four months poor boy :(