Anal glands and raw diet

[alessadry]

My female started having anal gland issues. She must have expressed her anal glands yesterday evening in my living room as the fishy smell was horrible. I know this is not a good sign, her glands should express upon defecating.

In the wild dogs did not have vets or groomers ready to express the glands for them, so I am guessing that a raw diet would make the stools firm enough to cause them to express as nature intended.

Did anybody see an improvement with their dogs' anal glands once putting them on a raw diet?

[brunie's mom]

I've been feeding a combination of raw and kibble for years, and have never had a dog with anal gland problems. Not sure if it's the raw that keeps them clear? or the good quality kibble? or the fact that our dogs have always gotten alot of exercise?
What are you feeding now? You can try adding a handful of Bran Bud cereal to each meal and see if that helps. Sometimes they just need a bit more fiber to keep the glands empty.

Gina

[moondog]

I've not had a dog with anal gland problems - even the dog with chronic diarrhea....and they've been fed either all kibble, all home-cooked, or 50/50 raw and kibble.

[brutus'mother]

No anal gland issues when I fed kibble or now that I feed raw prey model.

[Nishasmom]

Nisha has never had issues with her glands. You have been a member here for a while so I assume you are feeding good quality kibble right? If they are having good firm poops they shouldn't have a problem expressing their glands through defecation.

Dogs can express their glands when scared too. Did she get scared? Sometimes dogs can get a compaction or infection of the anal glands. If you suspect problems have a vet check it out. Most large dogs can express glands through bowel movements but sometimes there are problems.

No, wolves don't get their glands done, or have any vet care. They also don't live as long; if they get an infection they either deal with it till it goes away, or die from infection. I don't believe that people should compare wolves health to domesticated human bred dogs. Us humans have changed dogs a lot...they may need more vet care than wolves need. In the wild, its survival of the fittest. In domesticated dogs its survival of whoever has a uterus and sperm LOL.

[brunie's mom]

Just had another thought. I do remember in your previous posts, that your dog was having accidents in the house. You also were trying to make them "hold it" for hours, and not allowing them to relieve themselves. Are you allowing them out more often now? Sometimes dogs that have to "hold it" do start having anal gland problems because they do not move their bowels often enough.

Gina

[alessadry]

She is on a very expensive no grain brand called Taste of the Wild. Her poops have been a bit on the mushy side since the switch. Quite solid at first and then a bit mushy. But my vet ruled out parasites. I have heard of adding pumpkin to make them firm up a bit. I will try the bran as suggested.


As explained I am NOT making them Hold it for HOURS. The longest they go without going potty is in the night and then from 3pm to 8pm because of my work schedule. Please check my other post about their routine and you will see that I am not a witch making them hold it longer than that 5 hour break (even tough many told me that at their age they should keep it for at least 6-7) About not pooping enough, quite the contrary,they actually poop 3-4 times a day and go out to pee much more often than anybody who leaves their dogs at home due to their work schedule. All I can say is that they drink quite more than normal (according to my vet) but he attributes this because they are very active all day (sleep only 3 hours, they are never bored!) and of the dry climate.

[harleychik66]

Another problem could be if your girl is overweight.

My rottie mix Dude had never had an anal gland problem his whole life. Last year about this time (he was 7 at the time) his anal gland on the right side ruptured. About six weeks later the left side ruptured.

Since he had never had any problems before I asked the vet what the problem could be. Since there was no food change ect. He said that it is more common in overweight dogs. Now Dude was only about 7 lbs overweight , but apparently this was enough. A stricter diet and the weight came off.

One year later and we have not had a single problem. So even 5-10 extra lbs could possibly be the culprit.

[alessadry]

No, actually she is on the petite side, weighing a bit over 80 pounds. She is just fine according to my vet because I thought she was supposed to weigh much more at 13 months. But good to know, another good reason to watch the scale!

[frontierrots]

80 lbs is actually quite a LOT for a 13 month old female. It sure is not petite

[Weily4Life]

brunie's mom mentions "...lot's of exercise" for her dogs.

Lack of adequate exercise is one factor contributing to anal gland problems.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by alessadry

No, actually she is on the petite side, weighing a bit over 80 pounds....

No, your young bitch is not petite.

My 8 yo bitch weighs 69 lbs. How would you describe my Moxie??

[alessadry]

I am sorry I must have mistyped she is a bit over 70 pounds! last time actually 74.1, lol! She gets lots of exercise with romping around all day, a good game of fetch and a fast paced 45 minute walk. She is very active and slim and has a big fenced area where she plays with her brother at regular sessions. In the evening she gets really tired, just starts chewing on her bone and falls asleep like a rock..

I am starting to see a pattern though. I never smell that fishy smell all day long until she sleeps. It's like she is sleeping and wakes up and licks her bum and here comes that terrible fishy smell. I am wondering now perhaps she is having bad dreams? My friend used to have a cat that released anal gland fluid when she was scared. Can this be it? It is quite odd!

[Weily4Life]

May be an indicator that she needs to defecate. Have experienced the evening smell with one of ours. Think she has done all she is going to do after that last evening outing and while laying in her bed later, smell that smell. Take her outside and she defecates. No more smell.

[alessadry]

It actually happens a couple of hours after her evening poop. I will try though to take her out again and see if she will poop right upon I catch her waking up and licking as you suggest.

Just seems very odd.. she does have a history of having bad dreams, so I am leaning more towards a fear thing, since she will be sleeping, wake up turn and lick and there goes that smell... I think somebody did mention anal glands and fear may be conntected..

PS. As much as I hate doing it, I tried emptying th glands myself but they appreared quite empty and their normal size.