Flushing anal glands

[*Jay*]

Has anybody had this done and did it make much difference? Over the past couple of months, Vegas has had to have his glands emptied every 2-3 weeks and on two occasions, they have been infected. He had me up half the night with his licking and biting himself(hence the sickie from work!!) so took him to the vets this morning. They were full again but not infected. Because of his food intolerances, he can't have bran added to his food so the vet gave me a tub of Peridale granules to try for a month but if the problem recurs, then she recommended getting him in to flush them out under g/a. I'm just a bit concerned about putting him under for something that may not solve the problem

[dollop]

Yes, my cocker had hers flushed when she was having to have them emptied every week. Sad to say, it made no difference whatsoever and  2 months later she had her glands removed. We had tried everything- diet, bran etc. but nothing worked. She was getting so uncomfortable that she started snapping at other dogs when they approached her back end- completely out of character for her- she'd be fine for a couple of days after, then sore, stinky and snappy again.

I'm glad she had them removed. She was much happier as soon as she'd recovered. As it turned out she had a structural abnormality with hers so nothing other than removal would have helped her anyway. So I'm not helping much, am I?!

[debbie321]

I didn't know you could get them removed?  Ben used to have trouble regularly with his glands - in the end I had a lesson to empty them myself - not that I've need too since   

If they are of no use and Vegas has to have a GA to get them them flushed - would you consider getting them removed?  I know this sounds drastic but if it relieves him from infections and pain it might be worth considering?

[Mich]

Sorry no experience to share Gill, Bails used to have real trouble with his, till we switched to Barf.

I really hope he is ok and you get him sorted!

[Carolyn]

Bailey had his anal glands flushed but I'm sure they only sedated him.  It worked for a month or so but he is back to his usual scooting routine    My vet said they used to remove glands quite frequently but after one dog became incontinent they don't do it so much.

What are peridale granules?  I hope they sort out Vegas' problem

[dollop]

I didn't know you could get them removed?

You certainly can, but it isn't an operation without risk. For me it was a last resort, but Dolly was so unhappy, sore and uncomfortable I felt it was a risk worth taking.
 It requires a vet experienced and skilled at the op or you risk an incontinent dog amongst other things. Some vets will recommend a specialist do it. Dolly's vet does loads (he's considered a bit of an expert locally on the procedure) and has never had a problem with post-op incontinence. I believe the actual figure he quoted me at the time was a national 1 in 200 chance of incontinence.
It isn't a pleasant op either, although Dolly amazed me by coming home the afternoon of her op, still wobbly, stitches in bum, and going straight into the garden for a poo, like nothing had happened. (there isn't a "wincing" smiley, but I'd be using it here.) No incontinence whatsoever.

I do know people who've had their dogs flushed, and have found the problem disappears, never to recur. So I would still try the flushing before an op- it's certainly the least invasive way and it could give a great long term result.

[*Jay*]

What are peridale granules? 

They are meant to bulk the poos out a bit and weren't cheap But I want to say that I've tried everything before resorting to anything surgical

Vegas tolerates getting them emptied very well but I have noticed that when they are full he does get very grumpy with the other dogs.....Aspen dared to sniff his bum the other day and he is now sporting a wound above his eye for his troubles Having seen a dog in work recently with lots of post-op complications from having his anal glands removed, this would be a very last resort for us (mind you, that could be more to do with the surgeon than the op itself ) He has been scooting and licking himself this morning so I am going to give it a couple of weeks on the granules and if no improvement, then I will book him in to have them flushed

[Claire]

Because of his food intolerances, he can't have bran added to his food

Maybe I'm being a bit dim, but there's something I don't understand.  Bran is fibre - and doesn't that make motions...looser/more regular?  Whereas the BARF diet is said to help with anal gland problems because the bone content makes poos very firm, so the fact that there is a bit more pushing to be done (sorry, I do hope no one's eating while reading this), means that the anal glands are kept clear this way.

[supaspaniel]

George had his glands flushed out and we've had no problems since. That was 2 years ago. The vet wanted them removed but I said no, as it can make them incontinent and I would rather check the glands every so often (which I do myself )and get them emptied than put him thru a GA.

I cook them pasta to bulk them up a bit every few days.

[*Jay*]

Forgot to update this but the Peridale granules haven't helped so my wee man is booked in on wednesday to have the glands flushed. Hopefully that will sort the problem out once and for all

[supaspaniel]

Hope he gets on OK Gill

It worked for George!

[CraftySam]

Hope this helps Vegas and resolves his problem.

I'll be thinking of him and you on Wednesay.

[Mich]

Hope that sorts the problem Gill

[LouiseAS]

Meg has had her anal glands flushed out under GA twice, the second time only 6 weeks after the first but she was ok.  Both times they were infected.  The vet said she'd rather do this than remove them but if they give her any further problems then she will do that.

I've managed to keep them clear now for a while on a hgh fibre diet with no scooting in sight!

I hope it helps Vegas.

[CraftySam]

Have you heard from the vets yet Gill? How is he doing?