ANAL SAC issues! YUCK!

[shandoggy1]

I was wondering if anyone has had anal gland problems with there dog? I have a 5 month old pup who seems to need them expressed every couple of weeks and fortunately I have been a vet tech and a groomer so I know how to do it properly YUCK stinky I am thinking about having them removed when I eventually neuter him. I recently switched his food from Biljac to Natural Balance because the biljac was giving him loose stools and now he has been on holistic Natural Balance and it has done him good. Any advice would be great! Thanks

[elegy]

unless they're actually getting impacted and infected, i would not have them removed. there can be major complications including loss of muscle control of his bum and poop incontinence. not something i'd want to deal with!

find a food that he tolerates better and doesn't give him loose stools. that might help him release them normally when he goes to the bathroom. he might just be one of those dogs who needs them done regularly. i have to do both of my dogs, and i used to have to do one of my cats (thank goodness that resolved- that was no fun).

[shandoggy1]

Thanks Elegy, I actually just looked up info on line and never knew of the problems after the surgery. But when I was in the vet tech business we used to have occassional dogs had them removed because of on going problems. I have actually seen them spray out while he is pooping so I am hoping this new food will work. So far so good!

[Carrie]

Yup....had the problem with Lyric and had to express them myself a few times. But we finally found a food that stopped him from having such loose stools. You gotta get something that will bulk him up....more fiber. You want larger, fluffier stools. Sound good? LOL. That will help him express them naturally when he goes to the bathroom....little by little so it won't build up. I'd also steer clear of any surgery if it's not absolutely necessary.