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Miss Potter
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Location: Dorset
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23-05-2007, 04:19 PM

Anal Gland problem.

Poor old Bug has been having problems with his anal glands for a while now. They just keep on filling up! He apparently has really thickened ducts which is why they are not emptying properly.Surgery to remove them has been recommended as he is needing them emptied every 3 weeks
He is fed on Burns High Oats. Is there anything else I can do in the meantime.?
Also, does anyone know much about the surgery? I have done a little research and it says that all will be fine if the surgical technique is careful ie no risk of incontinence.
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Wanda
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23-05-2007, 06:42 PM
Foxy has problems with anals as well, so I started giving her Oat Bran for breakfast, couple of spoonfuls mixed to a thick porridge with a little milk and water. She's been fine ever since.
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Heidi1
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23-05-2007, 09:23 PM
Our last dog had her anal glands removed due to needing emptying every week and being uncomfortable all the time. She had no problems at all - it was a day case only. There is a small risk like you say which is a worry but hopefully this wouldn't happen
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zoeybeau1
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24-05-2007, 06:56 AM
i feed a raw diet and have NEVER had this problem with the boxers,maybe a change of diet to what carnivores should be eating,i do hope the surgery goes good,and hope she feels better soon
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madmare
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24-05-2007, 07:52 AM
I have had two dogs who had the same problem as yours and they ended up so thickened and painful the vet couldn't actually empty them at all in the end.
They both had thier anal glands removed and it was the best thing I ever did for them. They healed quickly with no problems and never looked back.
I would highly recomend it to any dog with such problems.
Just make sure the vet that does it is highly experienced in it as there are nerves very close round there which if accidently caught can then cause incontinence problems.
My vets practice had a specialist who visits the surgery once a month to do such ops.
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megan57collies
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24-05-2007, 08:31 AM
My bitch starting having problems after she was spayed with her glands. She needs them emptying each month (which I do) and have put bran flakes in with her food. So she's not bothered about them as long as I keep them emptied on a regular basis
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borzoimom
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24-05-2007, 11:29 AM
If the vet is recommending surgery I would never dispute thier decession. I am wondering about the oat brand. Usually grains make anal glands worse-, especially with dogs already shown to be prone with problems. I am not questioning your vets choice in using this, I am just curious what was the vets reasoning in using this since grains are a large contributor to chronic anal gland problems. For my education- could you please tell me why he suggested using this high grain product?
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Meganrose
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24-05-2007, 04:08 PM
Originally Posted by borzoimom View Post
If the vet is recommending surgery I would never dispute thier decession. I am wondering about the oat brand. Usually grains make anal glands worse-, especially with dogs already shown to be prone with problems. I am not questioning your vets choice in using this, I am just curious what was the vets reasoning in using this since grains are a large contributor to chronic anal gland problems. For my education- could you please tell me why he suggested using this high grain product?
borzoimom - I would presume reasoning would be that some dogs have anal gland problems because they are being fed a low fibre diet. A high fibre diet results in voluminous stools, which tend to naturally "milk" the glands during a bowel movement. Obesity and/or a lack of exercise can result in impacted anal glands because the glands do not get expressed naturally.

Miss Potter I would take your vets advice many dogs lead a very good quality of life after having their anal glands removed and loss of anal sphincter control through the surgery is actually very rare.

In the meantime you can try keeping her on a high fibre diet to encourage the natural emptying of the anal sacks.

Let us know how she gets on. XX
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borzoimom
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24-05-2007, 04:14 PM
True but high grains also gets retained in the anal sacs. Dogs are meat eaters- not grain eaters.. Only getting grains if they eat the stomach parts of grass or grain eating pray. I have never seen a dog go into a corn field to eat.. etc
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Miss Potter
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28-05-2007, 12:37 PM
I am taking the vets advice about the removal. I wanted to research the risk of incontinence first. Acording to the web it is only a risk if the surgeon is not a careful surgeon. I trust him implicitly (cant spell it, but you know what I mean ).

What I am confused about is the diet issue? I thought it was best for dogs with anal gland problems to be on a high fibre diet. Is the Burns High Oats the wrong type?

Thank you for your replies and sorry it took me so long to reply to them.
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