Does anyone know how often these glands need emptied. My dog Abby (Border Collie) aged 1.5 yrs keeps sitting bolt upright and trying to drag her bottom along the ground. I thought at first she may have worms however I worm her regular and have checked her faeces which was negative. Someone told me she may need her glands emptied...sometimes there is a slight fishy smell. Anyone have any ideas...?

Scooting is a well-known sign of full anal glands. Some dogs keep these emptied themselves, but others don't and need it done for them, maybe every month. Get your vet to show you how it's done - it's simple once you know how.

Definitely sounds like her anal glands are full and causing discomfort.  There could also be an infection so it might be best to get the vet to check for you. Some dogs seem to suffer with this problem more than others unfortunately.

This sounds stupid and gross but what does it mean when the anal glands are 'full up'?

I dont really want to know but I am curious! :D

It means that for whatever reason the glands aren't being emptied when the dog poos. If untreated this can cause impaction and abscesses.

Ok, so its poo in the anal glands?

No wonder people dont like to empty them!!! :D

No, it's not poo! It's a liquid secretion. It just doesn't smell very pleasant!

Cheers JG! :)

Im blessed Mitz has never slid her bum along the floor apart from a 2 second period a year or so ago! :P

I don't think it's poo in there :D

Apparently it is an oily secretion that is contained in the 2 sacs either side, when the dog poos, the sphincter muscles squeeze the anal sacs and force the oily contents onto the surface of the stool.......nice:rolleyes: This is presumably what gives it an enticing aroma to other dogs so that they are attracted to sniffing when walking by

They are often referred to as scent glands as when dogs 'greet' each other this is in fact what they are smelling....makes sense really.....if you're a dog

Edited to say that I was obviously posting at the same time as JG

Thats lovely!!

I was never sure what was actully 'in' the anal sacks and at least I know what to look for now! :D

Trust dogs to smell the one part of the body thats so gross!

The anal gland secretions often smell fishy and strongly unpleasanrt. 

A dog that gets frightened or over exctited can empty it's anal glands involuntarily and you will see them furiously licking and you will get a decidedly fishy smell.

If tey get impacted and need to be emptied the smell is stronger and more unpleasant.

Oh right.

I have seen other dogs do that around Mitz!!

would agree with everyone else it sounds like anal glands.  My youngster suffered from this for ages.  I have just made the decision to change him onto Burns and now two months later he seems to have stopped suffering.  A change in food could possibly be a consideration if you dont want it to keep happening.

Interested in your comment about diet. Both of my dogs are fed on the same dried food, yet the younger one has to have her glands emptied at the vets every few weeks.  Would it be worth a change of diet and is there any information on the sort of food that helps with this problem? Any ideas welcome.