anal glands

[amandawhitelaw]

this is the first time i have heard of this. I will keep an eye on it.

[Fiona]

None of my three ever need this done.
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Dogs are like Chocolate, you just can't have one!

[Emma*]

I have been really lucky non of mine have needed it done either
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Happiness is being loved by 2 Great Danes

[Gaelle]

I've just been told that anal gland problems can cause general itchiness even on seemingly unrelated areas of the dog's body like their front paws which can be seen by them licking their paws a bit more. Cuthbert's itching is increasing and I don't want him to end up with the skin problems Rosie had so I've got to make him an appointment at the vet. Trouble is I can't face taking him to Cumbernauld surgery or coming face to face with our usual vet, just yet (it's just too soon for me after Rosie!) so I think it'll have to be Martin taking him to Falkirk branch himself. Am I a wimp or what?!!!
Gaelle

[Jim & Geraldine]

I felt the same after our last dog ( she died two years ago in March), in fact I couldn't walk past the shop for a while and even now Jim has to take Buster down to the vet.

[Enid]

This has never been a problem to either of ours.

Are certain breeds more prone to this than others?

I always thought it was all down to diet?
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"My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet" - Edith Wharton

[Lorna]

Beagle breeder told us when we got our first Beagles that we should have them checked regularly. All of our Beagle bitches have had to be done quite regularly, except one. She was fed and exercised alongside her sister. No other difference - not even genes. Puzzling.

Never had to do a Great Dane - Thank God!

Had to do Misty just yesterday. Yuck!
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Regards,
Lorna, Basil & Poppy
Great Danes are not substitute children. They are much more important than that!

[Lisa/Colin]

[Gaelle]

It's not all down to diet although diet can play a part in it in that a lot of foods contain rubbish which can lead to a large softish stool. In the normal way of things a firm stool puts pressure on these glands each time the dog "goes" thereby helping keep them from overfilling and causing discomfort but if this isn't happening, the glands can overfill and become impacted and infected. I don't know about specific breeds being more affected than others , I just know that Clumbers are quite prone to anal gland problems and when I was growing up , both our Cavaliers were and we were told at the time that as a breed it was a problem. (However check that with Ashley this info may be out of date by now!) and my in laws' 2 Westies also had problems.

[Ashley]

You are right Gaelle, it is cited as a breed problem in Cavaliers. It is something i've found cropping up in all books i've read on Cavs.
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Ashley with Holly & Murphy.
I hope to one day be as great as my dog thinks I am right now!!