Blocked anal gland - Staffie?

Question

My staff has got a blocked anal gland for the third time. This time it looks like they are both blocked, and have been blocked with no visible signs for some time. He is on antibiotics and is having a check up tomorrow (thurs) and is pencilled in for GA on Fri to operate on them if necessary.
Why does this happen and can they be removed??
Please dont do silly answers, he means the world to me and I am worried.

Answer 1

I love staffies too,.you may like this site.... http://www.staffybullterriers.com/forum/about403.html

also:
Veterinary Notes For Dog Owners edited by Trevor Turner BVet Med, MRCVS

Anal Sacs and Anal Abscesses
In many dogs the anal sacs fail to empty properly, often because the duct becomes blocked and the secretion accumulates and distends the glands. Pressure on adjacent structures causes discomfort and the animal frequently rubs its rear end, or tries to lick or bite the anus, to relieve the irritation. If present for a long time the secretion may solidify (i.e., become impacted) and it may become infected, giving rise to a painful abscess alongside the anus, an anal abscess. Many dogs need to have their anal sacs emptied at frequent intervals, and may be subjected to repeated abscesses. If so, surgical removal of the anal sacs may be recommended as a permanent solution to the problem.

taken from: http://staffords.50megs.com/VeterinaryNotes.htm

good luck - keep going to the vet - keep looking after him as well as you have been - he will look after you 10 fold.

Answer 2

Some dogs are more prone to having problems than others.
If you feed a dry high quality diet the dogs stool will be firm and it should help to express the dogs anal glands as the dog goes to the bathroom. Some dogs will drag their butts to clear the glands and some need to have the glands expressed once a week or once every two weeks.
They can remove them if it is a chronic problem but be sure your vet has done this type of surgery before and that it was suffessful. Sometimes they can cause incontinence problems if they are not careful when removing the glands.
I know some one who had it do for their female weimaraner and she is fine and now does not get infections all the time.

Answer 3

alot of dogs get blocked anal glands! the procedure that the vet will probably do is either just flush them out, or an AF, (anal frunculosis) removal, i no it sounds horrible, but basically the gland is burned away, this is quite common with g.s.d's! ur dog will be fine, just have a sore back end for a while! everything will work the same, just be alot less uncomfortable for your pooch!! good luck and give him a hug from me! x

Answer 4

My dog has this problem. My vet told me there is an operation to have them removed, but said she wouldn't recommend it unless absolutely necessary as the anal glands are situated right next to the sphincter muscle and if they catch this, it can leave the dog incontinent. I have to take my dog every few months to have his glands emptied. You say there are no visible signs, but the smell from these glands is rank!!

Answer 5

Basic Training of the Puppy - Read here https://tr.im/q7CMV

The new puppy is certainly one of the most adorable and cuddly creatures that has ever been created. It is the most natural thing in the world to shower it with love and affection. However, at the same time it is important to realize that if you want to have a well trained adult dog, you need to begin the training process right away. The dog, like its related ancestor, the wolf, is a pack animal. One of the features of a pack is that it has a single dominant leader. Your new puppy is going to want that leader to be you, but if you do not assume that role from the very beginning, the puppy’s instincts will push him to become the leader.

The most important thing to remember about training the puppy during its first six months of life is that it must see you as the leader of the family pack. The essential thing is gaining the trust and the respect of the puppy from the beginning. You will not do this by allowing the puppy to do whatever it wants to do whenever it wants to do it. On the other hand, a certain amount of patience is required. Most people err in their early training by going to extremes one way or the other. Although you need to begin the basic training process at once, you can not expect your dog to do too much at first. Basic obedience training is fine and should include simple commands like sit, stay, and come. Remember that trying to teach the dog advanced obedience techniques when it is a puppy is much like trying to teach a five year old child algebra.

It is also important to restrain from cruel or abusive treatment of the puppy. You can not beat obedience into your dog, and it certainly is not going to engender feeling of respect and trust. House breaking is an area where this usually becomes a problem because of the anger that is triggered when the puppy fails and creates a mess inside the home. Although this issue must be addressed without anger, it most be addressed. If you allow the puppy to eliminate inside the house, it will continue to do so as an adult dog. The same thing is true of other destructive or dangerous behavior such as chewing and biting. Do not expect the puppy to grow out of it. You are going to need to train the puppy out of it, but you should do so firmly but with a sense of play and fun using positive reinforcement and lots of love and praise for good behavior.

Answer 6

My dog gets them too! It's hard to watch them be so uncomfortable!

What has worked for me is helping her to lose a few pounds. Lot's of regular walking and reduced fat science diet food. She was only a couple of pounds heavy but my vet said even that can have a great effect. She used to get them very frequently but now only gets them about once a year.

When she would start to get the impacted anal glands my vet recommended very warm wet compresses a few times a day to try and release the fluid. A few times I had to drain them myself which was no treat for me or for her but WAY better than having them burst! Ouch!

Good luck and I hope and I hope he feels better!!!

Answer 7

The fiber basically makes your dogs poop greater in many situations. it is what helps exhibit the anal sacs. My Rottie had leaky anal sacs that I had the vet do away with. you are able to empty them your self... even in spite of the indisputable fact that it extremely is smelly, yet do in a position. each anal sac is on the two facet of the canines anus, at 4 and eight o'clock. positioned on a pair of rubber gloves, vaseline you first finger. Insert the lubed finger as much as the 1st digit. you are able to sense the sac no be counted if it extremely is finished with the finger interior and your thumb of an identical hand.. With a average squeeze between your thumb and finger pull gently outward in direction of your self. positioned a paper towel over this because it may squirt lots, or be pasty. No concerns, no harm whilst doing this. in case you do it in a small bathing room this could shop the dogs from attempting to get removed from you doing this. Do it two times a month to maintain it from getting uncomfortably too finished for the pooch. stable luck!

Answer 8

Look to his diet. If he is eating mainly soft wet food like tinned dog food, this might be the cause. Put some bran on his food, feed dry kibble and chop some raw carrot into his dish or give him a whole raw carrot to eat if he will. They pass through undigested and as they pass, their bulk empties his anal glands.

Answer 9

It just happens in some dogs. For most dogs they empty on their own, some need help. These glands can be removed if they are continually causing a problem for your dog. I would recommend you discuss removal with your vet during your dogs check up appointment.

Answer 10

you can get the anal glands removed, just ring the vet in the morning and ask about it, problem solved