Anal Glands

[midgesmom]

While not a subject I spend a lot of time pondering, I have been curious...do corgis ever have issues with their anal glands? I know there are breeds (smaller breeds, I'm told) that have to have theirs expressed as part of their regular grooming. And I've heard of dogs who had infections and had to be treated. But I've never heard a single corgi owner talking about any issues with anal glands, so I've assumed it's "not an issue" with corgis (or maybe we're just too polite to discuss such a delicate topic!) Anyway, what's the deal with anal glands and corgis?

[~WelshStump~]

Yep, issues here! Jinjo never really had a problem with them, but he has been very touchy about his pa-toot. The other year I finally decided (cough, remember) to as his vet to check them. Sure enough, on one side he was full of paste! Had him checked last year and he was fine. I also ended up cleaning off "gland paste" from him a few months after the first vet exspresion. So, he's not bad, but has something going on with one side, I'm thinking maybe the hole is a tad small to let the juice out normally?

[gogogiraffes]

Gizmo had his done once. Only because he was licking back there quite a bit. But it's probably allergies we think.

Now the vet just does it for us when we're in there. But she said there wasn't almost ANYTHING in there when she did them.

[MrsBeez]

My two have issues as well.

Otis used to have a lot of pasty stuff all the time when he was younger, but it seems to have cleared up. Even when the vet would clean him up stuff would still squirt out and get on clothes or furniture.+SICK+ Or maybe since we've moved the east coast he has a better yard to, um, express himself.

Luna Mae has recently started scooting. I've tried to help her out, but I don't get anything. I'll ask the vet next time if she keeps it up.

[mtoy]

Link doesn't scoot or lick, but sometimes he squirts a little on Alex's bed. Alex gets SO grossed out. Of course he's probably doing it other places that we can't see, too. But that is why there's a piece of fabric on his side of the couch, and the leather chair (easy to clean) is ok for him. I've never seen any on our bed, and we would if it was there as it's light colored.

I never saw anal gland fluid until the day he had to get his eye examined and he freaked out, it squirted everywhere. But we've never seen a vet because of it.

[colbycorgi]

reading this thread has made us wonder if this is part of colby's "butt" issue....he doesnt like us to get near his back end, especially with our feet...that a sure fire way to get him off the bed and/or couch....we will have to ask the vet when we see her for their annual checkups in a few weeks....he doesnt seem to be scooting or really bothering with it so unless that changes between now and then, we will likely just wait....

[corgimom109]

My Jet had a problem once where his anal gland got blocked and infected. The vet actually had to put him under and put an antibiotic directly into the gland with a needle (ewwwww) because oral antibiotics didn't clear up the problem. Luckily for all concerned that problem was once and done. My other two have never had a problem.

[CorgiMum]

I guess that ours been lucky? Danny is our fourth corgi and none have had anal gland problems.

I wonder, maybe their diet? Pumpkin very day, salmon oil, fruit & veg treats and a sardine a couple of times a week. And I'm always conscious to make sure that they have enough water intake daily.

[disraeli ears]

I have never had any problems with anal glands...not with Rhys or Andy. Sorry I can't be more helpful! :SWOON:

[Anniesmom]

Well.... The Diva gets her glands expressed once per month as part of her mani/pedi, vet check. She has allergies and they are usually full. Since we put her on the DermCaps last May 2009, her glands haven't been as "full".

My sister (the ex-vet tech) had shown me on our previous Missy (poodle/terrier) but I could never do it; and I am definitely not going to try it on the buzz saw!:NAH: She is used to the vet techs and they use this wonderful smelly stuff for afterwards...:WINK:

We feel that having them expressed monthly does help cut down on scooting and licking.

Does your dog have allergies?

[midgesmom]

We feel that having them expressed monthly does help cut down on scooting and licking.

Does your dog have allergies?

No, she doesn't have allergies. And she doesn't scoot or lick. The only issue Midge has "down there" is that she doesn't like to have her butt fluff brushed - but that's about the pulling.

I really just asked the question out of curiousity, after seeing my brother's new dog scooting. I've always been blissfully unaware of anal glands and now after reading everyone's posts I'm glad to be more educated so I'll recognize an issue if we ever have one.

And now I understand why I've never seen it discussed on this forum or Corgi-L....it's not a pretty topic! :EEK:

[LaRogue]

She has allergies and they are usually full. I haven't heard this before, but with Pip's allergies it's good to know info! Other than puppy Pip being afraid, and expressing himself, when he had to stay on a table in training once, :SWOON:, the only dog I've had who needed to have anal glands expressed was a shepherd/husky mix we had growing up. She was fed mostly table food and I'd guess it was the culprit.