Anal Sacs

[Oscar's Mom]

My Oscar has had terrible problems with his anal sacs since he was 4 months old, he's 1 1/2 now. He's on prescription WD food from the vet, which has helped some, I also add oat bran to his food. But the poor guy cries and chases his tail, it breaks my heart. I bring him to vet monthly to have the glands expressed. Surgery to remove the sacs is expensive and not without some serious risks. Does anyone have any advice?

[Penny's Aunt]

The surgery would be your best bet over time, in my opinion. As long as the vet has done it before & knows what he's doing, I don't see that the risks are too overwhelming.

But for now, why don't you ask the vet to show you how to empty the glands yourself? Then you could do it when you see the need. It's not really difficult when you know how, but it's a lot easier if you have someone holding the front end of the dog.

[Owen's Mom]

I have to say, when it comes down to it, expressing the anal sacs yourself for your doggie isn't that bad of a thing. Yes, it's stinky, but once you get the hang of it, it's no big deal. I'd have the Vet show you how to do it, so that when you see the pupster paying a little too much attention to his hiney, you can just express then on the spot. Also, a friend's dachsie had the surgery and come through it fine. His anal sacs were so bad that they would express themselves when he sat on your lap!! <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm26.gif" border=0> Also, you can have an experienced groomer express them when you take him in for a bath and nail trimming and you'll save lots of $$$ compared to what you pay the vet to do it.

Let us know what you decide http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif
~~Amy & Owen http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/facelick.gif~~

[Meeka]

Kojak use to express his anal sacs all the time<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm43.gif" border=0>. He still does if he gets excited or scared. It has gotten better with age, he is 9 yrs. now. He was bad about they would go in his sleep even! <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm41.gif" border=0>

[Sue&Reu2]

Reuben is almost a year old and has had his anal glands expressed 3 times. I take him to an experienced groomer in our area that will express, cut nails and bathe for $15.00.
I hold out having him expressed until we both can take it no longer. Which is usually 3 to 4 months. Is there any harm having them done on a frequent basis like this?<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm36.gif" border=0>

[Oscar's Mom]

I think every 3-4 months sounds normal.
Oscar has a nurse appt when he goes in, its $10.
Our vet has removed anal sacs before, he said he does about 6 a year. Although they have never had the problem, its possible he could lose control of pooping if he has the surgery. There's another food with more fiber he wants Oscar to try, science diet RD, right now he's on WD. I think I will ask them to show me how to express them, something I've been trying to avoid - yuck.

[weenie]

I too am experiencing the same problem. Willi has been going to the vets every 3-4 weeks to get his glands expressed. My vet also suggested some foods with higher fiber content that I could try. I'll try anything because I would hate the little guy to have to have surgery.

The only reason I don't express the glands myself is......

After they express Willi's glands at the vets, they clean his behind with a nice minty-smelling solution. Believe me, I'll take the "minty butt" over the "stinky butt" any day! <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm42.gif" border=0>

Anything else I should try? Penny's Aunt???

-Kris

[Penny's Aunt]

What I don't know is the chicken/egg thing: do the glands fill up because the stool isn't massaging them enough to expell the (normally watery) contents & the contents thicken up & CAN'T get out without force (squeezing), or does the contents of the glands get thick for some other reason?

Probably no one knows for sure. A lot of medicine (human & animal) is just theory.

Vets say to try this extra-fiber food (that they are selling & thus making money on?); but if the dog's stools are normally firm, what is going to change? Fiber often makes the stools SOFTER, which isn't going to stimulate the glands. (This is theory on my part!)

Are anal gland problems inherited in certain breeds or certain lines? Are some dogs going to have problems no matter what you do? All you can do is try what the vet says & see if it helps.

Consider the cat-hairball-food thing: there are all kinds of new catfoods out that have extra fiber that is supposed to help cats pass ingested hair instead of letting it build up into lumps in the stomach. But if you look at all the cat food ingredient lists at your local non-specialty market (I just did), you will find that one of the first two ingredients is usually corn, which is fiber. So, is this theory just another way to add cheap fiber to food that is poor to start with, & make more money?

Oh-oh, is my cynicism flaring up again?

[Oscar's Mom]

Oscar has now been on science diet WD for a few weeks now, I slowly changed his food over 2 months. I have noticed an improvement, he would normally go this week to have his glands expressed but he hasn't been showing signs that he need it. I was reluctant to change his food because I look for foods with no corn or by products and WD has both, but this is only food with alot of fiber. I think it's 22% fiber and the foods at the pet store are around 4-5%.

[Owen's Mom]

Penny's Aunt..
My vet said that small dogs (i.e. dachsunds) have anal sac problems due to the breeding down in size that's taken place over the years. Their bodies, legs etc got smaller, but their anal sacs didn't shrink enough... so they're harder for them to evacuate, as then a large dog's. Is she right? I'm not sure, but we never had to express our Golden's anal sacs when I was growing up <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm28.gif" border=0> Can you imagine???

And... I know that I'm turning into the resident know it all big mouth, and I apoligise in advance... but about Science Diet food... Just because the word "Science" is in the name, and it's sold at Vet offices, does NOT make it one of the better premium foods. Check out this site http://www.naturapet.com/display.asp?sc=12-2&unid=8946039 and do comparison of ingredients. Science Diet may not have by-products (though, I do believe they use rendered animal fat), but they are choked full of preservatives and chemicals that are not necessarily good. Check out Canidae... I really like this food, and Pinnacle too... also Flint River Ranch... and Innova.

Sorry that I'm such a bratt!! Nutrition and puppies that are sold too early (along with rescue) are kind of my dachsie soapboxes http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif

~~Amy~~

[~8DachsieAngels~]

Hey Amy ... remember i told you that my dogs were on FRR... well i got down to my last bag and was gonna reorder and the last bag was molded...(ick) i only ordered those bags about 2mos ago... did this ever happen to you on FRR? I thought that ordering was not the best choice so i opted to switch yet AGAIN to something that was easier to find here local but with NO CORN or by-products... what do you think of Sensible Choice... i started them on it 2wks ago and they seem to like it. Just curious what you have heard about it? Thanks i like to a good dogfood expert since i know absolutly nothing about it cept i dont want icky animals and their parts in my dogs food. We are also feeding the BARF diet in conjunction with the SC is this ok ... help amy i need your knowitall advice...lol http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

THanks
Jen

[Oscar's Mom]

I totally agree with you Owen's Mom. Sciencediet if full of things I want to avoid, but it's the only food with a high fiber content that I've found and it is helping Oscar. I'll check out the site you listed. Thanks!

[Owen's Mom]

I think that when you feed a preservative free food, like FRR, Solid Gold, Innova, Cannidae etc... You risk a bag molding here and there, but I have no doubt that they would be replaced for free by the distributor. The FRR problem is that it's mail order, so you can't just run out and do an exchange. I'd bet that if you contacted them, they'd just UPS you a new bag though.

About Sensible Choice... I don't know enough about it... Do the natura pet comparison site thing tha tI attached below and let me know what they say about the ingredients.

About feeding BARF w/kibble. I do NOT suggest it. It takes different enzymes to digest raw than it does kibble and can lead to some digestive disruption (that the gently way of saying explosive diahareah). Feed one, or the other.... but not at the same time... maybe feed them kibble as a breakfast, then throw down a couple of chicken necks for dinner... Space them out.

Hope that helps a bit http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif

~~Amy~~

[~8DachsieAngels~]

Cool ... so if i give them the kibble in the morning and the barf at night is better for the digestion... ill try it... so far i have always fed them both and havent had any with poo-poo problems thus far... but i suppose you never know. Thanks im gonna go do that Survey now. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

Jen

[Krista]

Another suggestion on Food since we are talking about it:

I had a problem with my FRR delivery after I changed payment methods, So I tried Petsmart Premiere. Seems to be doing fine for Roscoe, will probably switch Rudy over as well in a another month. It was the only by -product free, digest free, low corn content food I could find that was chicken based in local stores. Rudy does not like Lamb based foods at all.

Here's the scoop:
Its baked, free or by-products, digest, chemical preservatives, and rendered ingredients. It does have some corn Gluten in it, but that is the least problematic part of corn and it is not in the top 4 ingredients. It also has omega -3 fatty acids which are good for the skin and coat.

I really liked FRR, but I find myslef needing to be able to run out and pick up a bag. So far here in dayton, OH (way behind the times in pet care) Petsmart Premiere is the best thing I can buy.

I really wish we had PetCo or Indredipets around here for more selection.

[~8DachsieAngels~]

Dont feel bad Krista we dont have Petco here either ... but we have a couple other stores but they all sell the same foods as petsmart... i think we have "All about Pets" and "Planet Pet" here neither are very big compared to Petsmart. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/frown.gif

Jen

[Oscar's Mom]

Nutro is by product free, corn free and no chemicals, and they have chicken or lamb. You can order it from petsmart or petopia on line. Thats my food of choice for Oscar. I dont like giving him the sciencediet, but its worth it if he's not crying about his bum everyday.
I have to ask, what is BARF??

[Penny's Aunt]

When you're looking for pet food distributors, be sure to check your phone book for the little independents AND human health food stores (which sometimes sell pet food, too, like Solid Gold). By accident, I found this funky little old-house place that has been turned into a quality pet-food emporium. They don't even CARRY the icky stuff. They also have naturally cured treats & vegetarian treats, a whole slew of books, & some car harnesses & leashes, etc.

[Owen's Mom]

BARF is Bones and Raw Food. I literally feed Owen raw meat, veggies, etc. No cooked meat for him as I believe that canines should be felt species appropriate diets... and they are carnivores who are made to eat raw meat.. so that's what I feed (Trust me, I'm not the only one). I feed Steve's Real Food http://www.realdogfood.com/ and chicken necks, backs, raw marrow bones etc.

It's not for everyone... it takes work and you have to fully educate yourself before you start feeding it, but I know whats in my dogs food, no preservatives, no grain etc.

The only thing I don't really like about Nutro is that they stack grains. That means that you'll see rice flour and rice bran. It's filler, no nutritional value at all. And it has "egg product" what is that??

I swear... Owen eats WAY better than I do. I couldn't care less what goes into my body, but I'm extra picky about what goes into his. The cat poop he finds on walks and the grass he eats, I can't really control though <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm35.gif" border=0>

[Krista]

What I did was go to premium food company websites and looked for places to buy them near me. None for Solid Gold or any other that I checked. Now, I did find one health food store that carries Wysong products, but I have not been able to check them out yet, as it is about 45 minutes away from me due to serious construction going on.

I may try local groomers next, since many carrie supplies as well.

[2DogsLong]

Jen,

I feed my boys Sensible Choice Natural Blend holistic food. We don't have FRR and some of the other brands mentioned here. It is the top of the Royal Canin line of food and aside from not being baked, I don't see anything wrong with it. It's probably not as good as BARF, but being a vegetarian I refuse to handle raw meat every day.

I don't know about the other foods with the Sensible Choice name.

My boys are healthy, shiny and the right weight and my vet approved of the food (even though they don't sell it).

Doxielover (where are you, Susan?) was going to try Sensible Choice but changed her mind - I'm not sure why. Maybe she knows something that I don't.

[Owen's Mom]

I think that Susan is feeding Pinnacle now a days.... She shops at my neighborhood doggie boutique and sees my groomer (who I LOVE). Isn't that great!!