10y old female dog damp musky smell wet patch on blanket

[Myjobisanightmare]

So over the years there’s been the odd occasion where dog has scooted repeatedly and I’ve assumed she’s got an anal gland issue and called the vets

Im going to call the vets regardless in the morning but any insight from more experienced owners would be great as what’s happened last week and just tonight is she’s been asleep on the settee and when I’ve woken her up for a bedtime wee I’ve found a musky stinky 20cm ish damp patch underneath her bum she’s not unwell in any way she’s not scooting so it’s not obvious in advance there’s something wrong but there obviously is

so like I say I’m definitely getting her an appointment tomorrow but in the meantime if anyone has any info about this I’d be grateful

My older female dog leaks urine if she hasn't been out frequently enough (she's not a fan of the rain!)

No idea if that’s the problem but I can relate to that for sure she’s in and out of the garden all eve right up to bedtime spring and summer but no where near as much in autumn winter

Urine leak??

Our vets said it's quite common for older females. Ours doesn't even realise she's doing it but there is sometimes a wet patch when she gets up. The vet said there is medication to help but best to start it when it is a frequent daily problem as it is most effective then. Currently we just have it every now and again when we forget to force her outside for a wee 🤦‍♀️

My oldest schnauzer has been having anal gland problems, the vet told me to give her some weetabix in her food. No problems since we started doing this.

It’s a very musky smell though not uriney

I’ll bear the weetabix in mind if it is a gland thing, can glands cause a 20cm ish damp patch ? Ooh I’m part stressed part fancying weetabix now

It is a musky smell, the vet said they have to push a bit harder to get the poo out and it empties the anal gland's. I give her half of a weetabix broken up with her regular dog food.

I’ll let you know how I get on once she’s been seen thank you

Yep - sounds like anal glands. My own beagle had the same issue and we did the same as PP and gave him weetabix.

He gets half a weetabix a day mixed with his food and we've had no further issues.

Has she been spayed?

Yes spayed at 6 months she’s damp again now so I’ll be walking to the vets as soon as it’s open

I’m intrigued if it’s glands why she hasn’t scooted that was always my indicator the smell tells me glands but something is different now

My dog has never ever once scooted his bum yet he had anal gland issues.

It's an indicator but them not doing it doesn't mean there's an issue. Equally, bum scooting can mean lots of other things too - worms, an itch or just a habit.

How have you got on? The only sign my dogs anal glands need expressing is that he licks himself a lot, and that in itself leaves damp patches. Anal gland juice would usually be described as a fishy smell

hi this isn’t fishy at all it’s musky she has an appointment 10.30 tomorrow

We’re back and both suggestions were valid one gland was full and was emptied but vet also mentioned a possibility of a bit of incontinence so to keep an eye

I’ll be more on the ball with sending her outside rather than relying on her and see how it goes

All I can think reading this thread is Tricky Woo in James Herriot going 'flop boy' 😆

Add some extra fibre to her diet - that should solve the anal gland issue.

i agree with the fibre is weetabix the go to or are other things popular

If she is getting a bit leaky you could put a puppy pad underneath a sofa throw so she doesn’t actually pee on the settee , this is what my sister did with her last incontinent dog . Hopefully it is just glands .

I know other people use bran flakes - any high fibre, plain cereal should be fine. We just use Weetabix as there's always some in the house so it's quick and easy.