I've never dealt with either of my dogs anal glands before but I have noticed that Poppy is once more scooting (but only in a circle, only ever one way) so I read up on the subject yesterday (trying to hide my screen from colleagues LOL) and found out where they were and what I was looking for.

Only one side had any type of lump, like a small pea and it was on the right.  The left side was fine.  Even touching this lump externally started her off scooting again - so - what do I do?  i don't get paid til next week, the insurance excess with direct line is about £80 (extortionate) so this means I can't take her to the vets for another week.

Is there a way of doing this myself?  Is there something a bit suss about the fact its only on one side?  I hate to see her in such discomfort.

:(

> Is there a way of doing this myself?

There is but I really think you need to ask a vet to show the first time.  I doubt it would cost you anything other than a minimal charge over their usual consultation fee.  You can't really leave her like this as it may become infected or it could infact be something else that needs attention.  Alternatively you could try phoning a local groomer and ask if they would show you how for a charge but they may feel that this is their livelyhood and be reluctant to do so.

My dog had to have hers emptied regularly about every 6 weeks at first then it went to once a month.  The vets only charged about £8 to empty the glands.  After about 12 months of this they did become infected which would have been about £150 to have them treated with antibiotics and cleaned up under local anaesthetic, but since this would only treat the infection and there was a chance that the glands would become impacted again.  I decided to bypass this op and go straight in to have them removed. I did this because I would end up paying the same excess and voluntary contributions for them to be treated as I would to have them removed.  It used to be so bad that she would chew her hair from her tail which is docked and it would develop bald patches.  So the chances are she would have ended up with them being infected again in the future, which would result in more money being made in contributions to the insurance.  I ended up paying nearly £700 upfront to have them removed and got the money back off the insurance.  It is a tricky operation with a risk of incontinence, but I have to say she's was great after the op, she never really had any incontinence apart from one accident in the first few days after the op.  I would certainly recommend this as she is no longer suffering every month. 

>Is there a way of doing this myself?

Yes there is, but it's best if you get the vet to show you the best way. It's not difficult, but there is a knack to it. If you tell the receptionist you want her anal glands emptied the charge will probably be less than even a normal consultation fee (it is at the practice where I work, just like nail clipping).

One of my girls had problems with her anal glands. Lots of chewing and scooting. My vet charges £5 to clear them but I though i would try a tip I found on CD. I give them all weetabix every morning and mix carrot with their evening meals on 3 or 4 days. It might be just coincidence but she hasnt had any problems since. Not helping you at the moment but might be worth a try in the future.

Sorry, didnt say why. the weetabix/carrot bulks up their pooh so the anal glands are flushed naturally, if you are lucky!!!

I tried bulking out by dogs stools by adding bran to her food, it did bulk out her stools but the problem with her glands still occured I was using the bran when the glands became infected.

Check as well that the veterinary nurse could possibly do this instead of the vet?
My local vet tends to get his vet. nurse to do this, just a thought.

Thanks for all the replies.  Its not just the fact that i can't afford the vets at the moment (and I can't they charge over £30 for them to even see you) its the fact that my boyf is away and I can't drive.  She does need to see them though so I will make sure i save some of my paypacket for them.

I will book her in for next week and in the meanwhile I will give her carrots and weetabix!  (i did think about this and gave her some shreddies this morning, are they any good!!)

PS - my local groomer did try and do this for her but only knows how to do it externally and said her bottom was too fat for it to be successful!!  <blushing smiley>.  She's not that fat!  Shes... stocky!!

I get the vet to do Murphy's - I just can't do it, I'm a big scaredy cat!

Havent tried shreddies but they are wheat arent they? (sorry, dont know how to do the quote thingy)

My pup has his done at 16 weeks, cost standard consultation fee.  Certainly not something I would like to do!  Vet recommended adding bran to his food which I have been doing since,  and 5 months on we've not had a re-occurance (hastily touching wood!)

hi, our Boston has had two anal gland abcesses in the las 4 months on different sides, your poppy's sounds the same,the first one Mabel had was huge, she was so bad with it that she was sedated with it which stopped her rubbing herself raw she also had antibiotics and rymadil the vet also so said to hold a hot flannel on her bum to draw the poison out to which we done it burst the next day, the same happened again Easter Monday this time the abcess was a lot smallers than the last but she still had two injections and the same paiin relief and antibiotics as before, i also asked for some tramadol to knock her out but she seemed to cope better on this occasion and we done the flannel treatment as well.The after care is to bathe the site with very very dilute hibiscrub as it stings like anything and you also have to remove the scab to let the hole heal from the inside all not very pleasant.this all depends on Poppy having a abcess good luck with her

Our vet nurses do them at the vets at their regular clinics they charge £5

just wanted to say thanks for all of this - i've been giving her shredded wheat with her dinner everyday and the difference is amazing, she's only done her itchy bum thing once in about 2 weeks - i'm so relieved and she wants me to thank you too as the itching must have been driving her mad!

((hugs))

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