Should groomers be allowed to express anal glands!

[Burnsway]

When a dog shows no problem should a groomer be doing this. Especially without the owners knowledge? Is there any harm in routinely expressing the anal glands when not needed. I know we had this discussion and am doing a search but the forums are running really slow for me and I wanted to get as much information as I could as fast as I could.

If I remember correctly I think groomers are not suppose to routinely do this.....

[misty_blue16137]

I know a lot of groomers do express them as part of the grooming.If they are experienced there's usually no problem.But according to the Vet I worked for it is possible to cause an infection or in some instances even rupture them if done wrong or if impacted.Personally I haul my dogs to the Vet if I think they need done.
Kathy

[Trinitii]

Around here some groomers do this some don't. Usually pets seemed to be groomed every 3 to 6 weeks. We seem to have to express small dogs glands once a month. I have never seen a problem from expressing to often but boy do I see infections and other problems from them not being expressed enough. In my opinion I think it is ok for a groomer to do. I would also like to say it is ok for a groomer to trim black nails! We get so many dogs who have just been groomed who's nails havn't been even tipped.

Raechel

[rottnkidd]

Hi Melissa - Many professional groomers check the anal glands as part of the grooming process. It's one of the first things they check before bathing. I agree with misty_blue though; if the groomer is uncertain about how to do this properly, injury can be caused and will result in more problems. This hasn't been an issue of concern to me, but I'd be comfortable having the vet
examine and express if it were necessary.
Hope this helps!
kathy

[Judi W]

Some breeds should have their anal glands expressed on a regular basis. Others, never. If it is not an issue with your dog, they should not be messing with them. If you have a cockapoo, it's a pretty good idea to keep them done, whether by the groomer or the owner.

[Burnsway]

Originally Posted by Judi W

If you have a cockapoo, it's a pretty good idea to keep them done, whether by the groomer or the owner.

LOL!!!! Not a cockapoo, a hundred pound 18 month old Male Rottweiler whos glands had been cleared of any problem from the vet before the grooming. And she was lied to by groomer and told they were not done and she went back and found out they were and he is showing some irritation. No let me rephrase that ...a little more then just "some" irritation!

He was recently dewormed but that was close to 2 months ago and has been cleared by vet of any worms. So I can't see that being reason of irritation.

She is setting up an appointment with vet but is pretty upset this was done without her knowledge.

[Judi W]

And the Rottweiler was at a groomers because??????????

[Burnsway]

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!! Um not sure...I will ask.....:D

[Judi W]

It occurs to me that if the dog was sent to the groomers because he was impossible to handle, maybe the groomers cleaned out his anal glands in revenge...........

[Burnsway]

Actually I would normaly agree with you but because "I" of all people (little ole me)took this dog and stood him in a stand (with a treat of Course)and examined his ass without nearly a grumble or even a dirty look(although I did not touch.....LOL), I will have to question any revenge on a decent groomers part!

I also was at the vets with him and heard techs talking about his gentle nature "within reason"(we can only expect so much of our dogs...lol). I believe he was expressed for the extra charge but at this point can not say for sure. Why he was at groomers I can not say.

I haven't taken a dog to groomers for over a decade but still If one does take them there, should the anals be expressed just to be expressed........

And honestly even if he was about to take a groomer out does that give them a reason or the right to express glands that are not needed.

Although If I was a groomer I may understand that....:D

[Judi W]

I think you took my little joke a bit seriously

[Burnsway]

Originally Posted by Judi W

I think you took my little joke a bit seriously

No actually I was cracking up at that because I was seeing myself as a groomer with no not a Rottie, but a "GIANT" SCHNAUZER from hell and saying ok you Sh**, do you really want to push me a little further.......:D

But really this is a somewhat dominant dog that may "protest" a bit but I really honesty think he was expressed for no reason. And after deworming on top of that. The owner was charged and lied to. This does not sit well with me.......

This again just does not sit well with me, Expressed when not needed.......Why??????

[Judi W]

Ah, but when you use a groomer - for a breed not needed - why not add in the anal gland expression - not needed????

If she paid for it, then that explains why it was done. Sort of like paying for that "new car smell" sprayed in your car at a car wash. If you didn't say you wanted it, don't pay. That will bring the practice of adding "extras" to a quick halt.

[Burnsway]

I get your point JudiW.....:D Maybe the vet can help her find out why he is so irritated back there and why he has not been feeling to good lately. I had just remembered a similar thread from a few years back where one dog I thought had been hurt by this practice of expressing when not needed.

But in my search I couldn't find it so maybe I dreamed it.....:D

[Judi W]

Well, it certainly is possible to cause an irritation by mucking about like that. I think it is even more possible if someone is persisting in attempting to express a gland that is already empty - a bit of enthusiasm carried too far. Leaving a dog with an unknown person, not staying to see what is going on to me is lazy and unfair to the dog. I can think of no reason to leave a Rottweiler at a groomers. A young dog can be put in the position of losing trust if it is manhandled incorrectly at that age and stage in life.