Kinda icky..... dog butt question?

Question

This is gross, and I apologize in advance. We are taking my dog to the vet Monday for yearly shots and general checkup. Yesterday, we realized that she needs her anal glands expressed. She is scooting and licking and generally smells hideous. We know she needs her anal glands expressed, because this has happened before. The smell is awful, and is only compounded by the fact that I am pregnant and smell everything anyway. No one will see her, because she isn't up to date on shots (again, going on Monday). Is there ANYTHING i can do to make the smell a little less horrible, just until Monday? We gave her a bath and sprayed with no-stink dog stuff on her, but it has not worked. I am on the verge on vomiting here.

I would rather not do it myself. I have never done it before and do not want to hurt her. I know it is probably very simple, I would just rather let someone who is trained in how to express them do it.

She is only about a month overdue, but I have called around and NO ONE will see her until I can cough up a current rabies tag. I know she is miserable, I feel bad.

Answer 1

All you can do is wait till your appointment unfortunately. Anal glands are gross. I work in a vet clinic and can handle almost any nasty thing that comes my way, but when it comes to AG's I gag like nobodys business. Keep her away from you until then. I have been pregnant 3 times and completely understand the aversion to smells. I couldn't stand the smell of cooking hamburger when I was pregnant with my last son 9 years ago. GL with the baby and the dog.

Answer 2

Well, you already know that the glands need expressing... and yes, it's disgusting. I always was willing to pay the $10.00 for someone else to do this. But I also know that the dog was miserable until it was done. I don't know of anything you can do on your own except maybe confine either yourself or the dog in another room to minimize your exposure to it.

I like the idea above of using Febreze or some other fabric freshener. Just don't spray it on the dog.

You say nobody will see her... but if you live near a PetSmart or PetCo they should have people on duty on weekends. If puppy isn't far overdue for shots, maybe they'll work with you. If you have the papers from the last set of shots, you could prove the dates. Tell them you only need the glands expressed and because of your pregnancy, you're rather desperate to do that as soon as possible.

For the future:

I'm not sure why but our vet said dogs with black fur seem to have this problem more than other coats. Normally the glands should be expressed with each bowel movement. A change in diet may help - even dogs need more fibre, I guess.

Good luck... and come on, Monday!!

Answer 3

FIRST of all, do not try and mask the odor with anything. It will make it worse. If you want to scrub carpet, whatever to reduce the odor use hot water with Lysol or Mr. Clean mixed in it. Use a scrub brush on the stain. DON'T use any sprays.

We had a dog that had to be expressed too. We found the only thing that worked in between visits to the vet were LONG WALKS. We would take him for a very long walk. As soon as the walk was over, he would have a bowel movement and the gland would be expressed........It never failed to work..........

Try it. At this point what do you have to lose???????

Answer 4

Considering your dog has a history of full anal glands, I would wait until you get a professional to do it. They can become infected and in the wrong hands can make things worse. If they are infected, your vet wont even vaccinate. If I lived nearby, I would do it for you. I cant imagine a smell like that for a pregnant woman. I smell that everyday at work, so its nothing for me. Try some doggy cologne for the time being. Good luck and take care!

Answer 5

i don't understand why no vet will see her just because shes not up to date with her vaccinations. obviously we recommend vaccinations but i wouldn't turn an animal away just because of this!!! very odd must be an non - UK weird thing!!!
anyway. apart from bathing her to try and disguise the smell there's not much you can do. is it an option to keep her in the garden?
i wouldn't recommend you tried to express her anal glands it is a relatively simple procedure to do but takes a bit of practice and the fishy/fowl smell isn't pleasant.
be careful with deodorizer sprays and such like products this could irritate the sensitive skin around the anus and cause the animal to rub her bottom out of itching as well as discomfort.
monitor her anus - rubbing her bottom will cause trauma and make her bottom very sore.
i would recommend that is uncomfy she was seen tomoz not on Monday. shes probably fairly uncomfy and becoming sore.
maybe smelling salts or air freshener?
OH AND DONT USE FEBREZE. ITS BEEN PROVEN TO BE POISONOUS AROUND CATS/BIRDS AND HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE A CAUSE OF HEALTH ISSUES IN DOGS AS WELL.

qualified veterinary nurse UK

Answer 6

There is really nothing you can do until her anal glands are expressed. I am sure your dog is extremely uncomfortable as she would not be scooting and licking if she wasn't. In the future I would recommend that you ask your vet how often he would recommend that you bring her in for expression.

Answer 7

It's common. My dogs have to get it done once a month. But you can take them to petco or a general pet groomer and they will do it for you. Also if it is a problem and the get compacted they can be surgically removed.

Answer 8

well, take care of yourself, because you are pregnant.

if there is anyone living with you, maybe they can take the dog for a walk, or keep him or her in the backyard. you might want to just stay out of the same room so you don't puke.

spray some febreze on the carpet, and maybe rub your dog with a dryer sheet, but i would stay away from her until they can do something.

Answer 9

Express her anal glands. Here's how:

Answer 10

the only way to make the smell go away is to drain the gland by hand