Anal Glands - Problem?

[poppy]

Betsy is now 21 weeks today and so far she has had to have her anal glands emptied twice.  Last week was the second time that I was right and took her to my vets and it was her anal glands that were full.  The vet has told me that if it happens again, that he would teach me how to empty them (lucky me). 

Should I be concerned that in her short life span she has needed to go to the vets for her anal glands to be emptied?

Everything is okay with Betsy.  She is a lively and happy puppy.

TIA Lizzie  and Betsy xxx

[Poppsie]

Lizzie what are you feeding her on???

[Eve]

Some foods can cause this. I add a little bran with Dexter's meal and he is now fine.

Also I have recently changed his food to Barking Head, less 'poo' to clear up and no more mucous and small amounts of blood in stool (apologies if you are having your tea).

[redlottie]

Otto is 2 and only ever had his emptied once and Albie who is 1 has never needed his done so would thing twice at 21 weeks is a lot.

I am sure some more experienced folks can recommend dietary amends to help

[poppy]

Lizzie what are you feeding her on???

I'm feeding her Hills Vetessentials.  Could this be the reason for her anal glands being full?  

I thought that twice being full was a bit too much at 21 weeks.

Thanks for the replies.  It means a lot to me, as I am a first dog owner and don't know what is right and so on, so I rely on your replies.

Lizzie and Betsy xxx

[c19unn]

Poppy - Diesel is just under 6 months old - Has had his emptied once already and on a few other occasions there has been the terrible fishy anal gland full smells
I was advised to give diesel a garlic tablet a day (doggy ones) and this seems to have worked wonders as he has not had any more bother
I cant say whether it was something to do with his food as he had his diet changed about 4 times in 2 weeks (thanks to the previous vet)

The garlic tablets were what i was advised by the prev vet

[Poppsie]

Lizzie is Hills the science plan stuff??

[poppy]

Yes - it is Hill's Science Plan Veterinary Formulated.  It is called VETESSENTIALS - Veterinary Exclusive.

[Poppsie]

I have never liked Hills food it gave my Poppy no end of problems sorry to say Lizzie but it could be the food you are giving her? There are so many good foods out there and not as expensive as Hills. And at her age having to have her anal glands emptied twice already  is not nice for her or you  x x x

[poppy]

Thanks Dianne for your reply.  This was the food that my vet gave me.  I think I will have a word with him about this and how frequent her anal glands are having to be emptied.  He doesn't charge me for emptying her anal glands, but I'm more worried about Betsy and the effect it is having on her.  I was waiting for her to get to 11kg and then I have a big bag of Royal Canin (sp?) Junior to give to her.

[Poppsie]

The trouble with science plan is you can only get it from the vet's IYSWIM?  x x x

[poppy]

The trouble with science plan is you can only get it from the vet's IYSWIM?  x x x

I got her last bag from Petplanet at a much lower price than from my vets.

Thanks Dianne for your help - Betsy and me really appreciate it.

Lizzie and Betsy xxx

[Countrygirl]

My last cocker, Sophie, had to be rushed to the vets when she was young with infected anal glands.  She never emptied her glands herself, the vet showed OH how to empty them and he did this regularly, usually every 4 weeks of so, he could feel when they needed emptying.   Sophie lived until she was 14 and never needed to go to the vets regarding her anal glands again after that first infection.