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by emily0x0 on November 24th, 2006

emily0x0

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I have heard a lot about "expressing your dogs anal glands" on this site, and it is the first I have ever heard of this. I would like to know just how one knows if their dogs anal glands need to be expressed, and if a vet or a groomer does it?

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Answers. 3 helpful answers below.

  • by Natterjax on November 25th, 2006

    Natterjax

    Your dog may scoot (rub his bottom!) on the floor - lots of people think this is a sign they have worms but its more likely to be their Anal Glands which are making them uncomfortable. Also, excessive licking in that area can be a sign. (Better to check with a vet if they are doing this just to rule out any other reason they may be doing it)

    With some dogs (mine included)the first sign you get is a REALLY foul odour(fishy) You will probably see a few spots of fluid where they have dripped. The vet told me that it was mainly when dogs are frightened or excited but our dog's just drips when they are full!

    Your vet will express them for you (quite cheaply) and also groomers tend to offer the service at the same time as clipping your dog. If you need to have your pet's expressed often, it may be worth asking the vet to show you the correct way to empty them yourself.

    Until I got my latest dog I had never heard of them either! It might be worth mentioning however that some dogs may never need theirs expressing, as they should empty when they go to the loo with the pressure on their bottom. (So it may be something you never need to deal with)

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  • by infinitend2life on October 22nd, 2007

    infinitend2life

    It tends to occur in small dogs, because big dogs are expressed when the do #2. HAHA. Little dogs arn't as fortunate, but definitly take it to a vet!

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  • by connie on October 22nd, 2007

    connie

    answer froma groomer : We normaly do it when we are giving your dog's a bath.. Most dogs empty out there anal glands when they go poop but we do it so the dog doesn't get scared and express while we are grooming cause it smells really bad. You can tell they need to be expressed by feeling the sides of the anus.You will feel .. it feels like sacs to me. I don't know if you can feel them. But.. um you kow what just don't do anything u can cause it to become damaged cause it is fairly sensative. Also watch for scooting

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