Anal Glands and BARF

[MollieMoo]

Mollie has now been fed BARF for a month and I have also kept giving her the Pro Fibre and she still needed her anal glands emptying last week.  She also went in to the vets for the day last Thursday to have some Xrays on her back as she has been holding her tail down for around 4 weeks and we are trying to get to the bottom  of that too.  Also she has been suffering with Pyoderma.

So how long should I stick with BARF to see if it does have a positive effect on her anal glands and the pyoderma? 

[bluegirl]

I suppose wth everything there may be exceptions to the rule

Maybe you could write down what to actually feed per week as part of your BARF diet and that may enlighten the "enlightened" as to whether you need to tweak the diet a bit or have things added that you may well have missed out.

I raw feed, but not BARF, I have 4 dogs and I haven't had a problem. That may well be because its just not a problem for mine or it could be the diet. As they have never been fed anything else I can't prove a thing. Similarly I had an old dog fed on conventional food who had problems with her anal glands but I never tried other diets with her.

[AnnieM]

Gosh your Mollie sounds so like my Jade.....  although having said that Jazmin is worse for the anal glands, whereas Jade has really bad pyoderma, she is having the lipfold op nest monday for it as nothing has cleared it.  I was hoping fro some improvement in Jazmins anal gland secretions (   ) by now, but I have had no luck.  I am hoping that they do get better as I am sick of emtying them, it isn't the most pleasant job in the world!!!    I have been doing it about 5 weeks now, so hopefully they will improve.

[MollieMoo]

Thanks bluegirl  

Her diet is as follows:-

                  AM                                   PM
Monday      AMP Mince & Liver                 Sardines, veg & egg
Tuesday     AMP Mince & Egg                   Lamb or Pork ribs
Wed          AMP Mince & Liver                  Beef chunks
Thur          AMP Mince & Veg                  Chicken wings
Friday        AMP Mince & Egg                   Lamb or Pork ribs
Sat           AMP Mince & Liver                  Beef chunks
Sun           AMP Mince & Veg                   Chicken wings

I have really tried to take all the advice given on COL and hope she is getting a good all round diet.  I suppose I was hoping for a more instant result, and with having the additional problems with her tail I was just wondering if I should put her back on to a complete diet
I forgot to mention that when they Xrayed her on Thursday they also washed out her anal glands and packed them with antibiotics, and to be honest he tail is near normal now so it does make me wonder if there was anything wrong with her back at all, and if it was the anal glands that was making her hold her tail down

AnnieM - do you empty their glands yourself?  I am taking Mollie to the vets everytime, but she is insured   That is interesting that Jazmins anal glands haven't improved yet either  .  I just don't want to give up too soon with the BARF if it will make a difference in the end.

[bluegirl]

The main difference with they way I fed and the way you do is the fact that I don't give any minced meats. All my meats are either cut into large chunks or they are given on the bone. The bones arn't so different but I give more than you and if I can I do daily. I give chicken wings, chicken legs and thighs and lamb ribs the most as they are easiest to source. I also put bran and wheatgerm on the meat for roughage and add fenugreek seeds which are good for helping eliminate anal gland problems. I also give eggs 3 times per week and also use garlic and other herbs.

As for pyoderma, mine haven't had it but I do add things to the diet to help maintain good health. Mine regularly get kelp, omega 3,6,9 and vit E (wheatgerm) added. I also use herbs and maybe an internal antiseptic such as thyme could be used to help improve things externally. There are many other herbs which will promote wellbeing too. I buy mine loose from the health shop and either just add them to the food or make infusions with them should something be more of a problem.

[SJP]

Lola is partially BARF fed and partially Arden Grange.  She's been on it for well over a year now and its not made the slightest difference to the anal gland problem unfortunately.
My vet thinks it would be best for her to have them removed......alas I cannot bring myself to do that at the moment.

And before you ask, no I would never empty them myself.