Expressing anal glands

[Tyler's Mom]

Can anyone give me info about expressing your dog's anal glands? I have a 2 year old chihuahua and never really knew too much about it before. Recently I looked into it and I am wondering if this was something I should have been doing all along.
Tyler doesnt seem to have any 'problems', but I have noticed him scoot on the floor before, and 2 times recently I have noticed a funny odor coming from his rear (he notices it too because he tries to lick it). He eats premium food and he stools always look great (little tootsie rolls). Is this something I should be seeing a vet for? Should I wait for his next checkup, or get him in there right now?

[Ash]

I don't know much about it either, but the last time our vet was here she saw one of our dogs slide on the floor and proceeded to empty the glands right away. So, yes, I would say see your vet, or call him and ask him about it. Not that it's an emergency but it should be done.

It is definitely NOT a pleasant experience, neither for the dog nor the vet! My dogs found it painful, and ... well, lets say the odour was quite over whelming! To me it looked and smelled just like stool.

My vet said what came out smelled of undigested dry food and that is why they had this problem (she then suggested a change of diet).

[JMM]

If your dog is scooting, it would be a good idea to take the dog in and have them emptied. If it becomes something that needs to be done on a regular basis, your vet can show you how to do it at home.

Some dogs never need them done. Others need them done regularly. In general, if they never scoot or have problems, you should leave it alone. If they are scooting, have it checked out. You don't want them to get impacted as it can cause infection and an abscess.

[Tia's mommy]

I don't know what is so horrible about doing this on small dogs. I have done it for years on my toy poodle. I don't particularly breathe when I am doing it but I haven't smelled anything, either. I usually do it when she gets a 'bum wash'. I pinch from either side and am also spraying her rear so it rinses away. I think Tia hates the whole bum wash more than the emptying of the sac. In fact, when I said to Tia "let mommy see you bum" she sits down right away! She doesn't want me to look.

[Nancy (Spuddie' s Mum)]

LOL, mine do that too, or they run away. Most of my dogs I can do their glands myself, except for one, I get the vet to do her.