Hi,
I am new to here and hoping someone may be able to offer me some advice. My six year old male golden retriever has had problems with his anal glands for some time, after several times having them expressed, flushed out and courses of antibiotics, they keep becoming infected. My vet has now advised me that removal of the anal glands is now the best thing to do, but has also advised me that there is a very small chance of rectal incontinence.
Has anyone else experienced similar with their dogs? and if so I would be grateful for your advice/comments.

Thanks

Welcome to the forum Pixie :-)

I suppose you have tried extra roughage in the diet, regular emptying etc.

Yes tried all that thanks, but at the moment they need emptying every 4 or 5 days which isn't pleasant for him or me!

HI, my Westie Jimmy, was itchy/scratchy and I also had to empty his anal glands about once a week, although luckily they never became infected. I changed his diet to Burns maintenance, a much lower protein than most complete foods, mainly to try and stop him itching - which it did - I also have barely had to empty his glands since. Might be worth trying it for a month,if you haven't alreday to see if it helps. Have you considered homeopathy?

Hi, Pixie! Friends of mine have a three year old black lab, who had very much the same probs as your boy, and she had her anal glands removed last month, I know that she was completelt incontinent for a week or so, then her functions came back over the following week, and she is right as rain now, without the anal gland problem. They had, however tried everything else without success. Bonnie is much happier now, but this doesn't necessarily mean it will be the same for every dog. Good luck making your decision,
regards, Emily

Hi I have just re-read my earlier post and realised that it may seem that I was advising you against the operation - which I wasn't, only making additional suggestions. I am sure your vet knows what is best for your dog and I wouldn't want to infuence your desicion. Good luck with the op if your dog has it.