my vet recomended it but a nearby dog trainer said it was unusual.
Any answers?
2007-07-02 10:41:58 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
well, it isn't common but it's sometimes necessary. Anal glands aren't really good for anything, THey think they're supposed to sort of scent poop with the individual dog's special odor. Unfortunately they don't always work well. Ideally everytime your dog poops the anal glands eject a bit of fragrence. In reality they tend to get clogged a bit and collect fragrence. Every now and then a groomer or your vet expresses them, and i can assure you it's no pleasure for them or for your dog. When they become infected or impacted t's occasionally beneficial to simply remove them. Once they have become impacted they'll probably become impacted again and again. Impactions and infections can cause swelling that can actually make them rupture. Seems to me if the vet thinks there's a reason to remove a gland the dog doesn't need anyway...it isn't a bad idea.
2007-07-02 11:41:41 · answer #1 · answered by blk_sheep_fl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Removal of a dog's anal glands is not a common surgery, but it certainly isn't unheard of. If your dog's anal glands get impacted or infected often it may be a better option than leaving the glands to cause recurrent infections for the rest of the dog's life. The biggest concern with anal gland removal is nerve damage to the anal sphincter, which can cause incontinence. If you are unsure about whether or not this is in your dog's best interest then it might not be a bad idea to seek a second opinion. This doesn't mean that you have to switch vets or that you are cheating on your vet...but getting the same recommendation from two different and unaffiliated professionals on a subject as serious as this is never a bad idea.
2007-07-02 17:58:00 · answer #2 · answered by ainawgsd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is usually done to prevent a condition called Anal Ferunculosis which is basically a cancer. The hole left has to heal from the inside by granulation
Edit..Just for information. The purpose of the Anal Gland was to lubricate faeces. This was necessary when the dogs were in the wild and eating meat. bone, fur etc. With todays modern methods of feeding the glands have become defunct and can become impacted with soft foods.
2007-07-03 12:56:30 · answer #3 · answered by Collie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My sisters dog had this done a year ago. The glands were having to be emptied every 3 weeks by the vet and were always full. They were worried about an infection or bursting. She has done very well since they were done. It took a few days for her to get back to her old self, had a little trouble going to the bathroom for a day or too (no control) It has been well worth it though. She hesitated to do it but glad now she did.
2007-07-02 18:02:51 · answer #4 · answered by doxie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is usually suggested if teh dog has had infections of the anal gland or the anal glands have ruptured.
Otherwise ask the vet for his reasoning some are just looking for money and if this is true find another vet.
2007-07-02 19:12:45 · answer #5 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's fairly uncommon -- but not unheard of. It's usually only done when the sacs are so impacted and infected that they threaten the tissue around them. It can be a tricky surgery.
If your vet recommended it, and your dog is having problems, it's definitely something to consider.
Found some links:
(graphic photos in #1)
http://www.thepetcenter.com/sur/as.html
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_anal_sacs.html
2007-07-02 17:46:06 · answer #6 · answered by Loki Wolfchild 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Never heard of it being done but they told my sister to do it to her dog too because it was leaking stuff out of the glands and it stunk really bad. Apparently they gave her some medicine for it instead.
2007-07-02 17:46:32 · answer #7 · answered by HMMMM 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter is a professional groomer and she and her co-workers have never heard of this being done.
2007-07-02 17:44:56 · answer #8 · answered by Darla G 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋