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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Recurrent anal gland issue

10 replies

ByTheStarryNight · 12/01/2021 22:51

I've read about this but am still stuck. I never thought I'd need to become an expert on dog anal glands. Ddog, labrador, 2 years old. Since around 8 months, has had leaky glands. Always while he's asleep (usually when we are asleep too and he's snuck onto our bed). It happens roughly once per month. No scooting or obvious discomfort. Nice firm poops, he definitely has to push them out and I tend to see the fishy substance from hell drip out with the poop. So it seems that process is working.

He's intolerant of chicken, pork, turkey. He's raw fed (now) and happy on other meats, no signs of allergy or intolerance.

Vet says express them every couple of weeks, but I think that's not ideal. So far we've only had him expressed a few times, at long intervals. I could do it myself, but it can't be healthy for the poor dog to keep getting them manually expressed? Every so often the vet gives antibiotics 'just in case'.

Do any of you have any ideas? I'm totally over waking in the early hours to that smell and having to change the bedding and shower ddog's rear end Sad

OP posts:
Mumtothelittlefella · 12/01/2021 22:58

Have they discussed removing them? It’s not a decision to be made lightly as it can affect the muscle and then you have an even bigger issue.

ByTheStarryNight · 12/01/2021 23:05

mentioned but not recommended by the vet yet, but I fear a side effect of faecal leakage and would be very reluctant to go down a surgical route if at all possible

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ChinChilly · 12/01/2021 23:08

I have the opposite problem with my Labrador, he doesn’t empty them at all! We introduced protexin - pro fibre and that has helped massively not sure if it would help in this situation though. Also reluctant to remove his glands but they really are a pain!

Cecillie · 12/01/2021 23:13

Honestly , just have them removed
It’s quite uncommon for them to be that leaky and when they are it’s a pain and really nothing will help completely.
It’s actually a pretty straightforward operation, risk of incontinence is very very very slim if done by someone who knows what they are doing , and you will never look back.

feliciabirthgiver · 12/01/2021 23:16

We had our labs removed - problem solved and absolutely no side effects so I would definitely do it again and probably sooner if I had to make the decision again.

ByTheStarryNight · 13/01/2021 06:04

Thanks, it's good to hear positive experiences. I'll talk more with the vet.

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Happytentoes · 13/01/2021 10:51

I have a similar problem with one of my labs. Pre-COVID we talked about removal and I wasn’t keen. Vet suggested that we refer the problem to a specialist surgeon at a different practice who is known for good results.
I was impressed that ego did not get in the way. So perhaps quiz the vet as to how many they have done?

Darklane · 13/01/2021 19:28

Meanwhile give him whole raw carrots to chew on as a snack.

ByTheStarryNight · 14/01/2021 07:50

Thanks. He has a daily carrot anyway. I've now added some more veg to see if more fibre will help

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ChinChilly · 14/01/2021 07:56

@ByTheStarryNight I posted about my dogs anal gland issue a while ago on a different forum and alot of people recommended bran flakes for the extra fibre, just a few sprinkled on top of their food.

My Lab had his emptied 3 days ago and is still acting odd, I’m hoping that he is still abit sore down there and they aren’t full again! I HATE ANAL GLANDS 😂

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