Groomer Question. Cindi?

[Girrl's mom]

More than one person I've talked to has mentioned they thought their dog's anal glands needed to be expressed, but they had just been to the groomer and didn't the groomer do that. One said she'd asked for it to be done and was told that the person that does that wasn't in that day. Another's dog's gland were compacted and he had to have the vet.

I thought that would be a standard part of the job, not an option.

??

(I express my dogs' glands myself and strip their coat myself, if imperfectly, so don't go to the groomer.)

[Doxie_88]

I'm obviously not Cindi, but around here it isn't standard procedure to express a dog's anal glands. Some individual groomers don't have a problem with it and will do it if asked of them, but a lot/most won't.

[Peanuttymom]

I am not Cindi either but where I take my baby for full grooming, it includes a cut, wash and blow dry, cleaning ears and anus, and clipping nails.

[beausmom1]

I don't know much about it, but I do know the vet did it for us at our last visit because we were worried about blood in the stool and she thought that might help?? I never would have thought to do it myself or ask the groomer...but it seemed easy enough...is it something that needs to be done with all the other cleanings??

[DoxieMommyKYM73]

OK- I am glad someone brought this up! My brother was over recently and Chaz was doing the "Hiney Drag" across the carpet. I always laugh because I think it is so funny to watch, but my brother said that Chaz probably needed his anal glands expressed. I remember my mom used to do our dachshund Heidi's glands, however I never saw it and I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS MEANS!!!!

help2:
QUESTION ONE: How do you know if your dog needs it?

QUESTION TWO: How do you do it?

QUESTION THREE: What causes it?

ALL INFO IS APPRECIATED!!!!

[Schatz's Mom]

OK- I am glad someone brought this up! QUESTION ONE: How do you know if your dog needs it?

QUESTION TWO: How do you do it?

QUESTION THREE: What causes it?

ALL INFO IS APPRECIATED!!!!

Here is a little movie to explain Anal Sacs (http://www.marvistavet.com/html/anal_sacs.html)

If he is scooting across the carpet that is a pretty good indicator. You will know if he starts leaking because it is the most putrid smell you will ever experience! He will probably be sitting on your lap when it happens so beware! :D

Some pups have to have their anals expressed more than others. Since we switched to raw my guys haven't had any issues. When their poops are hard the glands are expressed as they go potty.

I have never tried to do them myself and will always have the vet do them. Make sure you stand at his head if someone else does them because they can shoot across the room and you definitely don't want to be in the line of fire!

[Suzanne R]

My vet's groomer does that routinely as part of the bath/nail trim/ear cleaning, etc. I opted NOT to learn how, thank you.

[DoxieMommyKYM73]

UUgh I can't do that either!!!! GRODY!!!!!!!!

Guess I will take him to the vet. Thats OK, I love my vet!

[Girrl's mom]

Actually, it isn't that hard. I do it in the bathroom, sitting on the toilet seat, dog's rear facing a wall, take a lot of toiletpaper in hand, place over anus and pres on both side, I'm guessing 2 o'clock and 10 o'clock position. Sometimes I think I can feel little bumps there.

I do it every two weeks to keep up so it isn't so bad. If it hadn't been done in a long time, I'd let the vet do it.

[Suzanne R]

Actually, it isn't that hard. I do it in the bathroom, sitting on the toilet seat, dog's rear facing a wall, take a lot of toiletpaper in hand, place over anus and pres on both side, I'm guessing 2 o'clock and 10 o'clock position. Sometimes I think I can feel little bumps there.

I do it every two weeks to keep up so it isn't so bad. If it hadn't been done in a long time, I'd let the vet do it.

Good for you! I'm just not willing to do that little item (and need help doing it), and my S.O. won't help me hold them if I wanted to do it - so I let the groomer earn his pay.

[DoxieMommyKYM73]

Good for you! I'm just not willing to do that little item (and need help doing it), and my S.O. won't help me hold them if I wanted to do it - so I let the groomer earn his pay.

I'm with you, Suzanne!! Yuck!!

[LUVMYGUNNER]

I can't do it either.

[Cindi]

I've been away for a bit and missed this :) Anal glands are not hard to do and should be done on a semi-regular basis UNLESS your dog has major issues (uhm like KPM's dog who needs veterinarian assistance because they need internal expression and then a diet change was a big help) and then you need to talk to your vet about that (however, many vets are not always *up* on the best suggestions so.....2nd opinions).

Anyway, they are no big deal to do - the boot scootin' boogey is a HUGE indication or that nasty fish oil smell or the brown stain that shouldn't be on something that suddenly occurred after the dog was there indicates you are LATE in expressing.

The video probably helped explain it so I won't go in to that unless someone needs it. My only suggestion is to just wet the area first, shampoo lightly and then express as the shampoo keeps the yuck from sticking to the coat, then rinse and release the dog :) If you are queasy about it, they sell latex gloves by the box full <GG> for little money.

And yes, a good groomer who was properly trained SHOULD do them each time your dog is brought in and should tell you if they think you have a problem and need to see the vet. A groomer is not equipped to do an internal (sometimes there are issues with internal expression that a vet needs to be in attendance for) so that is why they need to send the owner to the vet if they feel there is an issue going on. After a while, even you will be able to tell if there is something in there that you are not getting out <G> I promise!!!

Start with once a month. That is what my kids are on...some used to need it every other week...some don't need it once a month but they are abused anyway :) cuz they expect the same cookie everyone else is getting for having it done.

Cindi