Anal gland removal - advice and experiences please

[lisalh]

It sounds like you are having a lot more trouble with anal glands than I had but I just wanted to share my experience in case you find it at all useful.  I have a 5 year old dog who I had to take every 6-8 weeks to get his anal glands emptied from the age of about a year old.  Once or twice the vet also gave us antibiotics but I don't think generally there was any infection, they were just full and causing him discomfort.  After searching for a solution on the internet and a lot of research we changed to raw feeding at the end of 2011 and have not needed to have his anal glands emptied since January 2012.  I have had them checked when we have gone to the vet for other things but they have been fine.

I am in no way suggesting this will work for all dogs, but I did previously try adding bran etc.  I know this is a bit disgusting but I think the difference for my dog was having hard poo that he has to work to squeeze out  I know a lady on my raw feeding forum has problems with anal glands and a month or so in she hasn't noticed a change, but I would say for me really it took at least 3 or 4 months.  It might not work but at least it might be something to consider 

I had considered raw but as she is already producing lovely solid poos on her current food I am not sure what other benefit it will bring. Good to hear what has worked for other dogs though and def something to re-consider if the need arises

[Helen]

I think the difference with feeding raw (with bone content) is that the bones make the poo REALLY hard - there is a difference in Jarv's raw poo's and kibble poo's (both firm but the raw are substantially more solid).

You could try her on a couple of chicken wings a few nights a week? 

I would try anything to avoid putting any dog through what is a very painful op 

[fenby]

Harvey suffers a lot with his anal glands, I am now trying him with raw chicken wings to see if it helps him.

[tangy tango]

Yes as Helen said, his poo was never soft before, just in his case bigger and more quantity on kibble.  But a bone poo in my experience tends to be smaller bits but so much harder. I imagine it uses the muscles more or puts more pressure on the glands on the way past maybe. I am not really and expert though 

[lisalh]

When I type firm I actually mean FIRM - she has been know to grunt as they pass!!   Will give the chicken wings a go though- anything worth a try if it makes life better for her

[crazybailey]

This thread has convinced me to give raw a go, having to do Baileys glads regularly and not happy about that.. here I come raw diet!

[ali2010]

Albert had his anal glands removed a couple of years ago.  He was constantly at the vets having his glands emptied and on and off antibiotics for a few months before the operation.  We didn't dare try to feed him raw as he has such a sensitive tummy, we had tried various different types of kibble and eventually settled on Chappie (its still the only food he can have without getting the runs).  We had also tried adding bran to his food (which is upposed to firm things up!)

The operation went well and although he did have one accident in the house the day after he's been fine since

[tangy tango]

Lisa I agree you can only try and see if something works.  I tried so many things and had numerous conversations with vets over the years, they thought the position of the glands was the problem in our case. 

I started with the chicken wings and progressed slowly from there, it is just a case of doing a bit of reading really.  If anyone is thinking of changing there is a good raw feeding group on facebook 

[crazybailey]

Lisa I agree you can only try and see if something works.  I tried so many things and had numerous conversations with vets over the years, they thought the position of the glands was the problem in our case. 

I started with the chicken wings and progressed slowly from there, it is just a case of doing a bit of reading really.  If anyone is thinking of changing there is a good raw feeding group on facebook 

Are you allowed to post the FB link?

[tangy tango]

Yes I think so, just can't seem to do it on my phone  will try tomorrow on my computer! I think the link was posted not so long back under a raw feeding post.

[lisalh]

Well after a long chat with the vet and trying chicken wings/pro fibre/change of diet it has been decided that Miss Kooks will be having the op - she has had to have her glands emptied twice in as many weeks and the last straw was tonight when she was obviously in pain and screamed the vets down, it breaks my heart seeing her so uncomfortable on such a regular basis and although I am dreading her going under and teh recovery period afterwards I believe I am doing th ebest thing for her. SHe is not scheduled to have the op until her dad gets back in 6 weeks from working away as I want to make sure she has someone with her all the time as she is recuperating. I would be really interested in hearing how otehr dogs recovered and any hints and tips you all may have to make her recovery more comfortable for her

[Rileysmum]

Hello it's very worrying when there anal glands get infected and it makes the dog miserable, my Riley had to have his removed at the age of 7months as they were constantly infected and then he ended up collapsing in pain so we ended up having both removed, he was sore after the op and had a few little accidents regarding his number 2's but it was the best thing we did for him it's not affected his bowel movements and his feathers cover his two little scars he had the were very tiny anyway, I would say do it as sounds like your porr doggy is in pain and we had a few days of him feeling sorry for himself but he soon got over it and I wouldn't hesitate to have the op again if Bonny needed hers doing x x