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The doghouse

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

Sorry...anal glands

9 replies

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 14/11/2024 10:14

Has anyone had any luck with sorting out anal gland issues without having to take regular trips to the vet?
I have a 2.5 year old lab/golden retriever/poodle mix, 25kg so not overweight. Fed on a good quality dry food, with a probiotic supplement added and also different fresh toppers - eg eggs, berries, sardines, veg etc.

End of August he self expressed a small amount of his anal gland fluid, I called the vet and asked if he should be seen and they said he's probably sorted it out himself, and to keep an eye. It happened again 2 weeks later. I made an appointment to have them done at the vet 4 weeks ago, which it was but it wasn't a huge amount. Since then I've added a fibre supplement to his food also.

All has been fine, until this morning when he's done it again!
Obviously it's not been that long since he had them done at the vets, so although I will swallow the cost and take him monthly to have them done, I was wondering if anyone has had any success in sorting this kind of problem without having to take frequent trips to the vet?

The only change I have made in his diet since he started on this food at around 13 weeks old is that he used to get just chicken flavoured kibble, but since he was neutered in November and put on a little weight I changed it to 2 different flavours each time (so, fish and beef or lamb and beef etc) as chicken is the highest in calories.

I can't quite remember when I started doing this though, so not sure if that could have anything to do with it?

Stools aren't runny, but also not always the firmest, if that makes sense?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

OP posts:
Wibblywobblybobbly · 14/11/2024 10:19

I solved it for mine by switching to raw.

Killingoffmyflowersonebyone · 14/11/2024 10:49

I switched to raw. Fibre pills are all well and good but ultimately it's usually a diet and switching diet usually isn't hugely more expensive than adding lots of extra pills!

coffeesaveslives · 14/11/2024 11:37

His poos need firming up - they should be solid and leave barely any residue behind when you pick it up.

Pumpkin is good but I would really look at what you're feeding and the amounts too.

Ineedwinenow · 14/11/2024 12:23

Yes I used to have to do my girls every couple of weeks, I did the external method, if you don't have a strong stomach I wouldn't recommend it but I was fine and got used to it quickly,

I put my thumb at "9" and my finger at "3" either side of her anus and you squeeze very gently but firm and push up slightly at the same time if that makes sense and the liquid will come out, I covered her hole and squeezed into a wipe

Hope that helps

PuppyMonkey · 14/11/2024 12:28

DP asked the vet how to do it and now he takes charge of this process. Confused

muddyford · 14/11/2024 17:21

Ineedwinenow · 14/11/2024 12:23

Yes I used to have to do my girls every couple of weeks, I did the external method, if you don't have a strong stomach I wouldn't recommend it but I was fine and got used to it quickly,

I put my thumb at "9" and my finger at "3" either side of her anus and you squeeze very gently but firm and push up slightly at the same time if that makes sense and the liquid will come out, I covered her hole and squeezed into a wipe

Hope that helps

I was shown how to do my Lab like this too. I recommend a disposable glove and a vast wad of cotton wool!

Dearg · 14/11/2024 17:31

Protexin Profibre works for my labs; I have also, used Karnlea Pumpkin powder, but one of my dogs doesn’t like it much.

Raw no good , as one of mine needs hydrolysed proteins and I am immuno- compromised , which makes raw anything a no-go.

I have tried the external squeezing, but fibre is an easier fix.

Wolfiefan · 14/11/2024 17:32

The issue is the more often you do it the more you’ll need to do it. I would look at his diet.

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