Quote: Tracy Collins

Do it when you give the dog a bath.

You are a braver person than I

I have only had one anal gland issue with my dogs. My GSD had an impacted/infected gland a few years ago. It was expressed and she was put on some antibiotics. We have never had a recurrence.

I've had two dogs who were simply prone to this. One of them I still have.

The vet or vet tech will show how to do it and also explain how to identify any problem (which is, IME, not likely to come up if you are shown how to do it).

I'd rather do it (in the tub is good, as Tracy said) than have the dog do-it-himself using the carpet. (BTW, scooting once in a while and then stopping is to me an indication that the dog was able to express his anal glands that way. Continued scooting is probably something that should be checked, because it might indicate impaction.)

I have known a couple who had impactions from gummed up glands. That liquid in there is supposed to deposit onto the stool on its way out, and if it's blocked from that, it keeps being produced but has no exit.

I have read that licking of the butt might indicate a really painful condition called anal gland abscess. This would make me take a look and hustle him off to the vet THAT DAY if I saw any kind of swelling, redness, or pus.

The "sinuses" we're talking about are at about the four and eight o'clock positions, BTW. Good picture of the basic anatomy here: http://www.dr-dan.com/analsac.htm

I am with Melissa on this one this is not something I am brave enough to do on my own. And quite frankly my dogs do not get baths all that often. When they do it's usually a trip to the groomers.

Connie Cicero has been licking his butt...he has been on the antibiotics for a little while now and is still licking. We are almost done with the antibiotics. There is no swelling redness or puss though. Do you think I am going to have to make a return trip to the vet?

I worked as a groomer for a little while and we expressed anal glands all the time. The smell can be seriously disgusting, but it is easy to learn. Although, we rarely did large breed dogs. It was usually the little guys that needed them...not sure why?

There are 2 ways to express anal glads, internally, or externally. I'm sure you can guess which is most effective, but it's not unusual, like Betty said, for there to be some liquid in them periodically, and is nothing to worry about. It's only a cause for concern when the dog is having trouble expressing them while pooping, and the liquid becomes thick.

Anal gland abscesses are NO FUN. (and disgusting)

Juliana, I'd def. get Cicero in for a re-check, the tech's should be able to do it quick and easy, for a nominal fee. ($15ish? at most clinics) Ask them if they'd show you how to do it at home if you are comfortable. There are lots of dogs out there who need help getting the gunk out every few months.

 Quote: Kelly Byrd

... Juliana, I'd def. get Cicero in for a re-check, the tech's should be able to do it quick and easy, for a nominal fee. ($15ish? at most clinics) Ask them if they'd show you how to do it at home if you are comfortable. There are lots of dogs out there who need help getting the gunk out every few months.

And it really does make a difference when the experienced person demonstrates, don't you think? It sure did for me. And it was the vet, in fact, who mentioned being either outdoors or the tub, which really frees up a hand, in a way, because of losing the concern about where the gunk is gonna go and trying to be ready with a tissue or something.

The videos are good.

But there's nothing like watching a pro, at least IMHO.

 Quote: Kristi Molina

I worked as a groomer for a little while and we expressed anal glands all the time. The smell can be seriously disgusting, but it is easy to learn. Although, we rarely did large breed dogs. It was usually the little guys that needed them...not sure why?

I have no idea why, either, but I have read in one vet manual or another that toy breeds, miniature Poodles, and (I think) Spaniels are the most commonly troubled with this.

 Quote: Kelly Byrd

There are 2 ways to express anal glads, internally, or externally.

I didn't know that. Of course, it makes sense, since the dog does it internally all the time.

I have some reading to do!

1) Wear gloves
2) Use lube
3) Once 'in' before squeezing, cover the entire bum with a double layer of paper towels! It'll prevent spray or squirts. It does not prevent the dog from getting messy until you get really good at paper towel position though. You'll most likely need to scrub up the bum area.

Be thoughtful in how you take your gloves off. Hold the messy paper towels in one fist, take that glove off inside out, and repeat in the other hand, tie up your glove, and presto, no stinky garbage can!

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Kelly Byrd

There are 2 ways to express anal glads, internally, or externally.

I didn't know that. Of course, it makes sense, since the dog does it internally all the time.

I have some reading to do!

Lots of the larger grooming chains (petsmart, petco) claim to express anal glands. They do it externally, and it WILL NOT get out thick stuff, or even completely empty them of normal fluid. It can help, but it's just not the same thing.