Anual squeezings

[puppluv12]

Hi hope I wrote the topic right. My question is do you need to squeeze the the anual glanes on all dogs or is it just some you need to do. I have a little dog which I haven't done before, what happens when you don't do it? Also we have working dogs that have never been done and they seem fine so what's the go with squeezing? (I saw it being done on TV). Thanks

[Moo]

I very much prefer the word "expression" to "squeezing." LOL

It much depends on the dog. If a dog has chronic loose stools, then they would need to have their ana'l glands expressed.

If a dog does not naturally evacuate their own glands, and you do not manually do it, I know this by experience by the way- when the glands are full, they begin to impact. This is when the fluid begins to turn thick, and is difficult to express. If the glands are impacted and not expressed (at this point the dog would be showing signs of discomfort, biting at his bum, scooting, etc) then the gland(s) can abscess.

An abscessed gland looks like a bulge the size of my thumb print under the a'nus. It might have a bruised looking surface. Ascessed glands need to be medically treated because otherwise they will rupture from the outside, and be very messy, painful, and risk all sorts of infections.

[Hudsons~Mom]

Take your dogs to the groomer...they will do it there for you, it is not that expensive, and keeps you goop, smell, slime free!!!

From what I have heard...you dont want to do this yourself unless you have a hazmat suite.

[agilitydog]

Some dogs need it some dogs don't. Some cna have issues with it like Sampson(my lab). He has a small sac opening and doesn't express well on his own.