Anal Gland Care

[Romans Mom]

:roll: Probably the most unpleasant part of grooming a Chihuahua is checking--and if needed--expressing the anal glands. These glands are located on each side of the anus. If you can imagine the anal area as a clock, the anal glands would be found at about the 3:00 and 9:00 positions. These scent glands produce a fluid that plays a role in territorial marking. This fluid usually excreted when the dog defecates, but sometimes the glands become clogged, which is usually indicated by a Chihuahua that scoots his rear on the floor or bites and licks at his rear. If cloogging isn't relieved, the glands can become inpacted or infected, a problem that usuall requires a course of antibiotics and hydrotherapy to clear up.

:lol: If you notice your Chihuahua scooting or biting, you can ask your veterinarian or a groomer to empty (express) the glands, but if it occurs frequently, you may want to learn to do it yourself. :x The veterinarian or groomer can show you how. 8) Check the glands regularly--monthly or at bath time is a good way to schedule it. Most likely, though, you'll prefer to leave this stinky task to someone else. :shock: :wink:

[Amaze]

One more thing-

Dogs that have issues with their anal glands benefit from diets high in fiber-either from their food, from additions like vegetables and barley, or supplements from good companies like "Solid Gold."

Lys

[Kyky]

Hi guys. I have a gross question. Can dogs express their own anal glands? A couple of times Hugette's poop has been surrounded by a yellow goop (gel). The poop itself is solid. Is this from her anal glands? I told ya it was a gross question!! :oops: Thanx for any help!

Kyle

[Bev&Casey]

:oops:

Good Question!!! I don't know because when I've expressed Casey's the 'output' was a watery brown color. Now I know a mid sized dog who poops so many times during his walks that by the end it's so watery that his owners cannot pick it up. We were thinking that was from the anal glands, and if that's true then I guess they can express them themselves?

Someone will come along with the answers :lol:

Bev

[Sandy Balto]

I have never did this and never had a dog with a problem but if I do they will be going to the vet for this. I had a chi for 17 years and she never had this problem either. :oops:

[Romans Mom]

Hi guys. I have a gross question. Can dogs express their own anal glands? A couple of times Hugette's poop has been surrounded by a yellow goop (gel). The poop itself is solid. Is this from her anal glands? I told ya it was a gross question!! :oops: Thanx for any help!

Kyle

I think Hugette's problem isn't the anal glands, but is also what H&T's Mommy mentioned - She needs a little more high fiber diet or some sort of "ruffage foods."

Bev and Casey, That's what Roman's sounds like when he's expressed.

I think we have to express them because they can't, but Roman will scoot on the caret, so I'm sure that's what he's doing. I've read that's a sign of anal problems, but he doesn't have one single problem with them - they are fine. For him, he does it when they need expressing.

Sandy, you're one of the lucky ones! LOL

[Amaze]

Hi guys. I have a gross question. Can dogs express their own anal glands? A couple of times Hugette's poop has been surrounded by a yellow goop (gel). The poop itself is solid. Is this from her anal glands? I told ya it was a gross question!! :oops: Thanx for any help!

Kyle

Yes, they can express their own anal glands and many do. It is just really common in toy breeds to have to do them manually since they have trouble doing it themselves. And it isn't like they really "do" anything, their feces (if properly formed) put pressure on the glands as they pass which causes them to secrete the fluid. But the gland openings are so tiny in toys that the added pressure of a human squeeze is necessary.

However, it sounds like Hugette's "goop" is probably mucous not the anal secretions and is also quite normal.

Anal gland matter should be yellow, to greenish brown in color and can vary in consistancy from almost water to a toothpaste consistency. It also has a very distinct odor (I think it smells like moldy cheese).

Baby wipes are great for this task, they not only smell nice, but the damp material wipes away any yucky stuff left behind too!

Alyssa

[Sandy Balto]

I took Nina and Kutchum to the vet today had their nails clipped and had their anal glands done there wasnt much there, Nina was real good but not kutchum didnt like it one bit frist he cried then he growled after the job was done he flew back in his crate.

[Hercules Momma]

Hercules also went in on Saturday for his nails to be trimmed and I had my vet check his anal glands.. Not much there either. I was glad!
Anyway I got his health certificate for his plane ride on Friday to Florida. My vet gave me a sedative of Valium for Hercules. Said it was safe, would make him relax, but not be totally drugged out.

[Romans Mom]

I used to have Persian (sp?) cats come into the grooming parlor to get groomed. They were all on Valium. It was sort of hilarious with them because they were so matted, they had to be totally drugged out. LOL :roll: Sheba's had to have it before and she's very happy on it. Her "second eyelids made her look drugged." I think she had a lot because she had to keep quiet after injuries, and it's hard to keep a Sheltie down. LOL 8) :wink:

[Romans Mom]

Here's a detailed illustration of anal sacs:

http://www.dr-dan.com/analsac.htm