Why do some dogs need this, and others don't? Is there any way I can do this myself? The vet charges me twenty dollars each time, and it only takes a technician a few minutes, and she's finished. My dog seems to be quite unhappy, and she drags her behind when she needs to be expressed, about every other week.
Only serious caring answers, please.
2007-01-11 13:06:33 · 11 answers · asked by annie 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yes you can do it yourself. This is very common in small dogs and less common in larger dogs. I have a toy and his glands needed done so I had my vet show me how. You get a paper towel (in your hand) and place your fingers at 4 and 8 O'clock positions and push in a little and squeeze. it will come out on the towel. It will smell something awefull though. E-Mail me if you have problems. Will your vet not help you? The link it to a picture that will give you a better idea of what I am talking about when I say 4 and 8 o'clock
2007-01-12 04:46:27 · answer #1 · answered by crested_love 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can actually do this yourself....my vet said this to me when I took my small dog in to have it done( i just didn't want to do it myself and my vet only charged me $10). Are you in the room with your dog when the vet does it? Have them show you how....my vet just showed me how ...I never asked. My understanding is that small dogs are more susceptible to this I'm not sure why. But if you feed just kibble (no canned foods and no table scraps) it helps. Their stools need to be firm enough to express the anal glands each time they go potty......this is the natural way. If their stools are softer the glands do not get expressed when they go potty and then it builds up until they are uncomfortable and they start dragging their bottoms across the floor. This is my understanding of the whole thing.
2007-01-11 13:25:50 · answer #2 · answered by anemonecanadensis 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Firstly I would look at your dog's diet. There may be better food for her out there. Look for foods that have meat as the first ingredients and do not have corn products for starters. Barley and rolled oats are good grains but not corn, corn is a cheap filler.
After reassessing her diet then yes I would recommend you learn how to do it yourself. Its not pleasant and after you do it you will understand why the vet charges 20$ a pop. However, it will be less money out of your pocket to buy some disposable latex gloves (no power, that can irritate her anus!) and just take the plunge and do it yourself. Think of it as just another one of those necessities like changing a babies diaper or scooping after your pup poops.
So, how was that for serious and caring? ;-)
2007-01-11 13:24:46 · answer #3 · answered by Newel 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My female dachshund went through this. I've had three dacshunds in my life, two females and one male. Both females had this problem. I'm not sure what causes it, but I am convinced it's a female problem.... :) My vet showed me how to do it. I would do it while I was giving her a bath, because it smells REALLY bad. And you don't stick your finger up their anus.... You just hold her tale up with one hand and with your thumb and pointer finger on the other hand gently squeeze the area around her anus. Have your vet tech show you the next time you take her in, it's no big deal. I've been doing in for 6 years, it's become part of her bath routine.
2007-01-11 13:14:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can learn to do it yourself and your vet should be able to show you but I have to agree with the others, it is not a pleasant job and you may find it worth it to pay the 20 bucks. I know I do.
Its one of the joys of having a small dog. Gotta love'em.
Good luck.
2007-01-11 13:34:55 · answer #5 · answered by spnky 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i'm a pet groomer and we do anal expression as a part of the grooming package.since we aren't vet's, we can only express externally and that isn't quite as thorough as the vet, but it usually does the job. yes, you can do it at home. the proceedure is very very simple. ask your vet or groomer how or i'd be glad to try and "talk you through it. it's sort of gross but necessary. and finally larger dogs have the muscle control to express them on thier own.
2007-01-11 13:22:14 · answer #6 · answered by llsnwtsn 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I gotta just say "Ditto Dizzy82"
It's an important, but unappealing procedure.
I used to be an Animal Health Tech (no longer) and I'd rather pay someone that to do it on my own, just FYI
2007-01-11 13:21:26 · answer #7 · answered by Avon Lady 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pick up a book on Poodles it tells you how or ask your vet to show you my schnauzer is the same way
2007-01-11 13:27:13 · answer #8 · answered by tcellano 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes you can do it yourself. Have you vet show you how to do it. Let me warn you though ,it is not a very pleasant thing to do. You have to actually stick your hand up your dog's anus. My little beagle used to have to get this done all the time until we changed his diet. A lot of times your dog's diet can be the problem. Does she eat a lot of table scraps and how is the quality of dog food you feed her?
2007-01-11 13:12:05 · answer #9 · answered by Msbaton 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
I wouldn't do it yourself. It is very important to get it done. Its very common in most small dogs. She isnt going to be very happy after but it helps keep them healthy.
2007-01-11 13:11:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋