Does anyone have any info on this subject - like how they work - how often they need emptying and stuff - Max's were full today and needed emptying.

Have you tried searching on Google.com?

i had to have my dogs removed see eairler posts

They shouldnt really need emptying, they should empty themselves. Some dogs need theirs emptying every now and again. My two spaniels started needing them emptying every two to three weeks (a spaniel trait apparently) and had to have theirs removed in an op. Giving a slightly higher fibre diet is supposed to help them empty themselves, my vet recommended that I feed my dogs a bit of all-bran with their daily meals.

When our dog got elderly we found that she needed her anal glands emptying regularly. Don't want to worry you, Banger, but she almost seemed to enjoy it. Perhaps they are uncomfortable when bunged up and she was just enjoying the sense of relief. (Either that or she liked strange men in white coats squeezing her bottom) Has Max been "bottom scooting" on the carpet? - that always used to be a sign they needed attention. My father always used to insist she needed worming (again) but we knew better.

I agree with louisdog, some bran in maxs diet will help keep the vet away from his bottom, my old dog suffered with her anal glands, and the raw bran seem to help.

Thanks everyone - will try adding some bran to his diet - yes he was trying to fold himself in half to bite his backside probably an attempt to empty them himself :d He was also sort of scooting - putting his bum on the carpet and pull at the carpet with his front paws. He hasn't done this tonight so that must have been the problem. :d

My mum had an old english mastiff with same problem, she learnt DIY,much cheaper than the vet she said !

Lorraine

My dogs anal glands were always a problem .... I even had to have them surgically flushed when he was younger. I was always at the vets .. then someone suggested I stopped feeding him the raw hid chew sticks ... the crumbly type, I did and since then ... no problems at all! Might just be coincidence but it certainly works . I have never since fed any of my dogs raw hide sticks and none of them have had a problem. I also advised someone else to try the same and they say their situation improved too.