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Weird question on anal gland expressions...

2K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  DeeSpark 
#1 ·
So I was just reading up on anal glands in dogs, why they are expressed, how to do it etc

But um, neither of my dogs have ever needed it done. So just wondering, does this mean their stools are just good? Are there any signs that are not obvious I could be missing, pointing to full anal sacs? I hear a lot of people getting their dogs anal sacs expressed, but is it normal for a dog to never need help with them?

I mean, at first I thought it must be a good sign, but I want to make sure.
 
#2 ·
A dog should beable to release their own glands with each poop. If a dog needs help with this, then they need more fibre in their diet.

Dogs who get it done often, have anal issues. The more times you do a manual anal release, the more likley a dog will need to have them done again and again. Plenty of dogs go their whole lives with out anal issues. Its normal. Its not normal to have such anal problems.
 
#3 ·
Dog's should never need help with them. However, since the need for anal glands is pretty much obsolete in nature, over time dog anatomy hasn't fully stayed the same and changed minorly. The need to express the anal glands is a combination of your dog's anatomy and the fiber amount in their stools.

Signs a dog may need their anal glands expressed include excessive licking or biting of the area, "scooting" across the floor excessively or a very fishy smell from your dog's butt that won't go away.

I've also heard that expression of the anal glands if it is not necessary can cause more harm than good, so do not do it unless your dog is having a problem.
 
#4 ·
My dog licks her butt often :( But she has "compact" stools and is on a "high fiber" diet due to her colitis. She usually licks her butt after we come back inside after she takes a poop. But she doesn't have any of the other "symptoms"- no fowl butt smell, doesn't scoot across the carpet, no loose poops..

Guess I should find a vet down here and ask..
 
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