Stinky Bottom

[GlamLove]

I HAve notice that near my dogs rear end that it smells fishy ( by her tail) whats going on?

[skunkstripe]

It could mean that her anal glands need to be "expressed" or it could be normal.

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_anal_sacs.html

If you are in doubt take her to the vet. It costs about $20 to have them done at least where I live.

[vagreys]

Not to be indelicate, but that fishy smell could also mean a yeast infection or UTI. Regardless, it sounds like a vet visit might be in order.

[MyDogShelby]

It could mean that her anal glands need to be "expressed" or it could be normal.

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_anal_sacs.html


I followed that link and for to empty the anal sacs externally, on the page it said:
A rag or tissue is held up to the anus and both sides of the anal area are squeezed. If the secretion is very pasty, this method may be inadequate to empty the sacs.

I recall watching an episode of "Dirty Jobs" on the Discovery Channel, and Mike Rowe, the host, visited a dog groomer. During the bathing of a dog, the woman lifted the dogs tail, and squeezed the dogs anus (by placing her fingers on both sides of the anus)...what came out looked like very tiny dark pellets.

I didn't know that it was necessary to do this to your dog...as she said it was. I'm trying to remember what the reason was she gave, as to why it is necessary for the health of your dog to do this.

I did a quick google, and found the groomer's site:
"http://www.classicpetgrooming.com/services.html
and indeed as part of their mobile grooming service they list "express anal glands" ....

Does anyone know why it is important to empty your dogs anal gland/sac? What is the health benefit? I would like to know more about this...

[skunkstripe]

Does anyone know why it is important to empty your dogs anal gland/sac? What is the health benefit? I would like to know more about this...


This is one of those things where "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" is my motto.
Normally they empty themselves by the action of the stool pressing against the anal sac. If they become impacted, if the dog has runny stool, or for other reasons, they do not get emptied and the anal sac can become infected. If that happens then they need "help" to get emptied and often antibiotics as well.

Common signs that there is a problem is the dog "scooting" (dragging butt all over the floor) or taking a sudden pronounced interested in its hind end, such as excessive licking. Sometimes people will falsely assume the dog has worms.

While you can "express" (empty) them yourselves, I would not recommend it unless you want to extend your definition of the term "gross". (not sure what the corresponding term is overseas). If you do not know what "gross" means, you will after you have expressed a dog's anal glands. To me, the $20 the vet charges is well worth it.

That is about what I know about it. I had to get it done once for Zircie, and a couple of times he cut loose out of fright (kind of like a skunk) and it was disgusting.

[vagreys]

...Does anyone know why it is important to empty your dogs anal gland/sac? What is the health benefit? I would like to know more about this...

It isn't something that needs to be done on a regular basis, if a dog has normal, firm stools. But if a dog's stools are consistently too soft, the glands won't empty, and they will become impacted. If they become impacted, they can become infected. If they become infected, they can abcess and rupture, and that can require surgery to correct and lots of vet bills. If you see signs of problems with the anal glands, it is a good idea to have them emptied, to avoid the possibility of an abcess developing. A spontaneous rupture is ghastly.

[MyDogShelby]

Normally they empty themselves by the action of the stool pressing against the anal sac. If they become impacted, if the dog has runny stool, or for other reasons, they do not get emptied and the anal sac can become infected. If that happens then they need "help" to get emptied and often antibiotics as well.
...continued

If you do not know what "gross" means, you will after you have expressed a dog's anal glands. To me, the $20 the vet charges is well worth it.


It isn't something that needs to be done on a regular basis, if a dog has normal, firm stools. But if a dog's stools are consistently too soft, the glands won't empty, and they will become impacted. If they become impacted, they can become infected. If they become infected, they can abcess and rupture, and that can require surgery to correct and lots of vet bills. If you see signs of problems with the anal glands, it is a good idea to have them emptied, to avoid the possibility of an abcess developing. A spontaneous rupture is ghastly.

Thank you both for the info:thumb: Now I know what signs to look for (excessive licking, butt scooting, soft/runny stool) as an indication that a dog has a problem with their anal sacs/glands. I don't really care for the idea of emptying them myself either, I'd probably pass out from the fumes :eek:

[GlamLove]

Hello,
Her stools are consistant and firm, she has scooted her butt and she always licks, but i cant figure out the smell. i have made a vet apointment for her. thank you all for your help, let me know if any one has any other helpful things, like what do to with the smell untill she goes to the vet?????? thank you !!!!!!!!11

[skunkstripe]

If the smell bothers you, try a damp washcloth or "pet wipes" http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q108/2dogmom_album/smileys/dontknow.gif

[vagreys]

...Now I know what signs to look for (excessive licking, butt scooting, soft/runny stool) as an indication that a dog has a problem with their anal sacs/glands...
Minor clarification - a soft/runny stool isn't an indication of a problem with the glands. The soft stool will have been caused by something else like digestive upset, but if it goes on long enough, can keep the glands from emptying, thereby causing a problem.

[ritabooker]

What to do til the vet visit. Our vet said peroxide and warm water can be used to bath the entire area. Abby sometimes has gland odor, but they are not impacted, so I just make sure to keep her excercised, fed properly and it ususally goes away after one of two good evacuations.

[KatzNK9]

It isn't something that needs to be done on a regular basis, if a dog has normal, firm stools. But if a dog's stools are consistently too soft, the glands won't empty, and they will become impacted. If they become impacted, they can become infected. If they become infected, they can abcess and rupture, and that can require surgery to correct and lots of vet bills. If you see signs of problems with the anal glands, it is a good idea to have them emptied, to avoid the possibility of an abcess developing. A spontaneous rupture is ghastly.

This would have been my advice too. I've had it happen & although it didn't require surgery in my case, it was a big, ugly open sore which required vet treatment, antibiotics & lots of cleansing & treatment that could have easily been avoided had I known there was an underlying problem.

Doctoring the butt in advance is much more pleasant (if that's even possible) than after the fact, I assure you. Yuck, been there, don't want to do that again.

[S-J]

My goldie has this, i have to give her extra fibre in her food every few days to help and i have to washer her with shampo the vet gave me, but since i have put extra fibre in her diet she is a lot better, the vet said that the wet weather does not help when their fur gets damp under their tail.

[KatzNK9]

My goldie has this, i have to give her extra fibre in her food every few days to help and i have to washer her with shampo the vet gave me, but since i have put extra fibre in her diet she is a lot better, the vet said that the wet weather does not help when their fur gets damp under their tail.

I'd be interested in knowing specifically what kind of fiber you use & how much. Definitely sounds like a good idea to me.:)

[vagreys]

Hello,
Her stools are consistant and firm, she has scooted her butt and she always licks, but i cant figure out the smell...
I'd be looking for any signs of discharge that might indicate a yeast infection or UTI. If she has burning and itching from the urinary track or vulva, she's likely to be licking/scooting around because of that, too.

And now for something completely different. You said she has been licking a lot, and there is a fishy smell. Are you feeding her fish oil capsules? Some of those are very "fishy". Is it possible she is getting residual fish oil in her fur?

[S-J]

Katznk9, Do you get All Bran cereal (kellogg's) in the U.S we use it in the uk as it is early all fibre and i only have to put a hand full in about once a week now, i did do it every other day to start with for 2 weeks.

[Doberman's]

I feed raw so I have never had a problem with anal sacs. They do not clog the same way because the dog's stool is much harder then with regular food and that basically expresses the sacs everytime they " go ".

[KatzNK9]

Katznk9, Do you get All Bran cereal in the U.S we use it in the uk as it is early all fibreand i only have to put a hand full in about once a week now, i did do it every other day to start with for 2 weeks.

Yes we have several varieties of all bran cereal. Thank you for the tip.:)

[Jake2006]

I had a toy poodle who's anal glands would impact within a couple of days of evacuation. Luckily he didn't need surgery, it was just one of those things. He had veterinary examinations regularly (had cushings and was diabetic) and was came to the conclusion that it was ideopathic - just happened.

I used to give him a shower weekly and hubby expressed his glands and it was something we came to live with. He didn't have a fishy odour and his diet was spot on.

Hope your dog's problems resolve soon.