Comments on: Odie is So Anal Gland: He Needs More Fiber

By: Bobbie

Bobbie — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:09:02 +0000

Our Roxie had horrible anal gland problems from a young age. The more problems she had the more fiber we gave her and the vet used Science Diet d then k. We went from once a week to almost every day having to express the anal glands!! This was horrible for me but woree for her. Plus each time you have them expressed the more risk of infection. I read on a little place on the internet that grain can cause this problem. We researched and changed to Sojos no grain (sojos.com) A vet on the internet recommended it (and no I have no connection with them at all).,
Within 2 days the anal gland problem had stopped (and this had been going on for years). That was 2 years ago and had not had a problem not even one time. We changed Roxie to Natural Balance because Sojos has to be made up ahead of time etc. Natural balance has a no grain. Within 1 week we had an anal gland problem! We couldn’t figure it out since it was no grain but regardless poor Roxie had to go through this again ! So back on to Sojos. Within 2 days no more problems. So we can’t explain it. We thought it was because we stopped the grain (and that is still worth a try first) if all else fails try Sojos. It is a problem because you have to mix it up in advance but it sooooo worth it, At $22 a shot to have anal glands expressed here (they would hot give us a better rate even at once a day (I could to bring myself to do it) and again a risk to Roxie But I have to keep in mind the more fiber we fed her the worse the problem got, So that is our Roxie’s anal gland story. I am just so grateful there is something that has helped us!!

By: Dachshund

Dachshund — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:59:44 +0000

It’s a bloody mess when this happens. Chloe just had a cyst that burst but it wasn’t the anal gland. Very messy indeed. Your dog will schooch its rear on your rug first if it has gland problems.

By: Dachshund

Dachshund — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:56:56 +0000

Hi Sharon. Thanks for the questions and especially rescuing Ema!

We usually feed our dogs once at night and give them a few treats in the morning to sustain them through the day. Chloe doesn’t have an appetite in the morning so this may be typical with Ema. You just need to find the food she likes and stick with it.

Dachshunds do have a tendency to get back problems but they don’t have problems navigating the stairs. We have two stories in our house and the dogs go up and down just fine. Sometimes if they injure their back, they have to extend it straight so this makes it difficult for them to go up stairs.

By: sharon

sharon — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:31:32 +0000

also , what happenes if the anal glands do burst and how do you know that they burst?

By: sharon

sharon — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:54:28 +0000

Hi , my name is Sharon and I have a 2 ½ year old dachshund, her name is Ema. I’m new to having a dog, so don’t know nothing. I found your site yesterday, I need help on what to feed Ema, she is very picky and won’t eat dry or canned dog food at all ( I’ve tried them all) I tried your pumpkin and chicken last night ,she did eat it but this morning she did not won’t to touch it but then when I gave her chicken by itself she would eat it. she does eat chicken ,she loves cheese(don’t know how much I can give her or what kind)she like lunch meats, that’s is about it .i think she needs more vits. ,fiber-she has problems with anal glands all the time. she has had some issues, my grandson found her in the woods in oct.2009 she was almost dead, all her little bones showing ,loaded with ticks and flees( the poor baby),they had two dogs so I took her. she has been sick –I took her to the vet. She has hook worms and another lung worm(she is taking meds. right now)I would love all the info you can give me. I found out in one book that dachshund have back problems –I have five steps to get out the back door and five steps out the front , I worry about her back getting hurt.

By: Dachshund

Dachshund — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:55:48 +0000

Thanks for advice! Can your husband come over and express the glands and also give our doxies a bath? But seriously, I’ll have to try the KY and latex glove trick and remember the 8 and 4 o’clock positions.

By: Faye

Faye — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:34:16 +0000

My husband puts our dachshund in the bathtub, places his hand in a latex glove, then using KY jelly lubricant on the glove, expresses the anal sacs at home, immediately after gives the dog a shampoo and thorough rinse off, towel dry. Our doxie then runs through the house with joy of life. What a sweet dog. You can save a lot of money doing the express yourself. Just hold your breath while doing it so you do not get nauseated. Throw the glove in a covered trash can as soon as completed. My husband says the glands are at 4 and 8 o’clock, use a gentle motion trying to gently push outward. The dog may yip, but will understand you are helping and are the pack leader.

By: Syrina

Syrina — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:14:51 +0000

We have Oscar a mini D and he was having stinky butt issues. I took him to the vet and I learned to express his glands (externaly) this is very easy and can be done at bath time. We now give him a scoop of 100% pumpkin at dinner he loves it and it is a natural fiber. Now the stinky butt is gone.

By: Dachshund

Dachshund — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 23:03:12 +0000

Momo, if your dog has swollen anal glands, you want to take her to your Vet. Chloe had a swollen gland about a year ago and we got her there before it burst.

By: momo

momo — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:22:47 +0000

On a side note-does anyone else’s dog frighten itself with its own toots?