I have an 18month spayed bitch and, every so often she absolutely stinks of fish, does any 1 have any idea why? or have a bitch that has had this? any info would be helpful thanks. her food is the same as always so it's not that it just seems to leak out from her and if she's on a cushion or even next to me the smell lingers due to going on cushions, clothing etc, thanks

Anal Glands

oh!!!!! so does this mean she needs to go to vet and get cleaned out?

Vets can do this, or the vet nurse, or a dog groomer. Get them to show you how to do it - it's really not difficult if you know how :)

Just found a really good Youtube video clip -sorry but have got expertise to send the link but just google Anal Glands.  Can't believe it's that simple ! Gonna get the gloves on and check my guys out !

my dogs get that smell when they have emptied naturally.

beware that once you start manually evacuating their anal glands they may not empty naturally again.

Of course ! Thank you Rhodach. I should have thought of that. In fact, we've never had a problem over all these years. It's only when the issue of anal glands arises as a topic that I get to thinking that I should be doing something. Have put gloves away. Am pretty sure dogs would not have enjoyed my attentions.

Strongly agree with the other posters, don't mess with Anal Glands, it is usually down to diet, change the diet so you get nice firm poohs, a couple of chicken wings a week usually does the trick.
I have seen quite a few dogs who  have had their anal glands routinely emptied by a vet or groomer and the more it is done the worse it gets, many then end up with infected glands and a costly operation to remove them.

Raw fed dogs rarely suffer from anal gland problems, if you don't want to go completely raw try adding lamb ribs or chicken wings or similar to the diet and they will empty naturally, you will still get the occasional smell but it is easily dealt with, with a couple of baby wipes.
The other thing to be aware of with bitches is a fishy smell can sometimes indicate an UTI infection, or a closed pyometra. If the dog is off it's food or seem at all off colour get them to a vet quickly as a closed pyometra can be extremely dangerous.

Sorry just re-read your post and your girl is spayed so disregard the pyometra comments. But may be useful if anyone else is searching this thread at a later date.

Thanks to you all for answering, I wouldn't even contemplate trying anything myself, i'd be scared I damaged her and the possible effects it would have on her, her poo is fine she goes maybe 3 times a day sometimes twice, but they're normal, it seems to be from her lady bits I thought but, I don't know for sure maybe you guys more experienced may know better, i'll maybe ask the vet about it next time she's up there, but, as I said she's fine within herself in all other aspects, it probably bothers us more than it does her! again, thanks for all the replies.

I also meant to add, I will try her I think on some  raw chicken wings, I've always wanted to try her with some raw food because I think she's missing out just getting the meat when it's cooked, I just worry she may choke, but am I right in thinking as long as the chicken is raw it's safer than cooked? not that i'd give her chicken bones cooked,

> but am I right in thinking as long as the chicken is raw it's safer than cooked

Yes - never feed cooked bones. Chicken wings will be fine, although she may try to swallow them whole at first and then regurgitate them :) :)