"Expression"

[tmsl]

Have any of you had any issues with "anal expression" with your dogs? Bella was "digging" and chewing at her back end and we took her to be expressed. A few weeks later she was still digging annd chewing and we took her to the vet. He said she is hard to express as the tail helps them get the gland to the right place to express and her lack of one made it difficult. They gave her some cortisone for itchiness and a sedative to keep her calm to prevent chewing.

Bella is my first dog since childhood and friends have differing thoughts on this issue. Should she be expressed on a regular basis or just when she exhibits the chewing/digging in this area?

I don't want her to have horrible vet experience and after last week she will be reluctant to want to visit the vet again. The phrase "bend over and cough" comes to mind for her visit.

Thanks for help from other corgi owners!!

Laura & Bella

[Anniesmom]

We take Annie monthly for her mani-pedi, anal expression, etc...Since she is now on Derm Caps for her allergies along w/ an antihistamine, they aren't nearly as full. We aren't in w/ her when they do this but she seems to be fine w/ it. They also spray a little something to make her bum smell better.

My sister tried to teach me how to do this on all of our dogs (she used to be a vet tech) and it was one thing I didn't want to learn...:LAUGH:

[tmsl]

I groom Bella myself and that is not one thing I want to learn how to do. :EEK:Just need to know if I need to have it done regularly as I know most groomers do take care of that.

[Jespah]

I don't think all dogs require the expression. None of mine have had it, and have never exhibited the behaviours that indicate they need it.

The vet didn't suggest that there was something else that could help - like her diet?

I really haven't had to deal with it - but usually they "scoot" - not sure about the digging and chewing.

[Bobbie]

The tail has nothing to do with it. Find a new vet that isn't steeped in superstition or dislike of corgis.

I express Merlin's glands easily, and he has no tail. In fact, it is much easier than when I tried to do my tailed Lab. With Merlin it is a byproduct of getting him to poop but it is very simple.

[LaRogue]

I don't want her to have horrible vet experience and after last week she will be reluctant to want to visit the vet again.Some groomers are experienced with it and can do it, also.
I don't think all dogs require the expression. None of mine have had it, and have never exhibited the behaviours that indicate they need it.I think you're right. I've never had a dog exhibit symptoms or be told by a vet/groomer it needed to be done, either. Little Pip did express his all by himself, once, while a trainer was working with him one on one. He (Pip) had a moment of fright and BIG WHOOPS! NASTY!

[gogogiraffes]

Gizmo needs it, and I was told by our vet, once you have it done, it seems like you'll always need it. His is because, we haven't gotten his diet back right, so his poop is better, it's always either REALLY soft or REALLY hard. And he starts licking, and I just take him into the vet and have them do it... I don't want to do it really, I tried and couldn't get it.

[ZdogZ]

We've had this problem with Zip. When we took him to the groomers on a regular basis, they did it. We've had the vet do it a couple of times. Luckily, we haven't had to deal with this with Zia, Zeke, and Zack.

[Westwood]

I thought Henry had this problem but it turned out he had tape worm - yum! Apparently worms can make their bums itch also. :NAH:

Most of the groomers around here will do it for you pretty inexpensively - I think it's probably worth the money to have someone else do it lol. Are her poops pretty firm normally? I think soft poops can be a reason for the build up in some dogs, because there's not enough pressure to express the gland naturally.

I've never heard of anyone having trouble expressing their dog due to the docked tail.

[tmsl]

Thanks for the suggestions, Bella's poops are normal and we haven't made any major changes to her diet. She does get treats at the bank and such but mostly nothing has changed in that regard. I was hoping we wouldn't need to do this again, and I guess we will watch her and see if she exhibits signs of it again. She did scoot once which is why I took her for the first expression, but nothing changed after it which is why she got the second in a matter of weeks.

I do know a good groomer I can take her to if needed and will go that route as they probably have more experience since they do it daily.:EEK:

Thanks again,

Laura & Bella