Question:
Occasionally my little Pomeranian/Yorkshire dog rubs her bottom on the carpet, and seems to be uncomfortable. And other times she seems to appear in distress - i.e. she will suddenly jump off the bed, looking at her backside and then go under the bed, as if in pain - could this have anything to do with impacted anal glands? (Sometimes I wonder if that behaviour may be because she may also be frightened by any gas she passes!!!!!!! She is often scared of many things - I rescued her from a terrible life of living in a cage and being beaten:( so, even her own body frightens her!)

I would like to know if a dog has impacted anal glands does that mean that they would be rubbing on a carpet constantly, or occasionally like this? Do these glands remain impacted or does it go away? I am wondering if I need to bring her to the Vet to "express" them - does it need to be at the immediate time that she does this, or do they remain impacted - i.e. if I have an appointment several months later - I am just not sure if these glands always are full? I do not want to be charged for this procedure if it is unnecessary to even be touching her anal glands?

Can feeding her ground up flax seeds help the anal glands from being impacted - is their anything one might feed their dogs to avoid this from happening?

HELP?? Thanks.



Answer:
I'm not too sure about this because I haven't had to deal with it firsthand but this might answer a few of the questions:http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_anal_sacs.html

Good luck.

Answer:
You could call up dog groomers for some quotes and ask if that includes anal glands.I had a mini poodle for 16 years and they always did his glands when he went in for a haircut,grooming.

Answer:
It sounds like they may be impacted. I would take her to a vet for a diagnosis to be sure. If they're impacted and remain untreated the glands can become infected, or rupture right through the skin. Very painful.

Most vets will show you how to express them yourself if you ask. It's stinky, but fairly easy to do.

Hope that helps.

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I agree with One Beagle Girl. Not only is it uncomfortable, but the glands can get infected easily and treatment becomes more difficult. She definitely needs a vet or groomer (I prefer a vet personally) to empty them.

Answer:
How is your dog's poop? Firm poop should help empty anal glands. If it's soft for too long, they can start to fill up.

I've only had one anal gland issue, and when the vet internally expressed them, the fluid was more like a face mask, hence why she wasn't self expressing as she pooped. Since it's never happened again I try not to worry..

I don't see how feeding ground up flax will help.. depending upon your dog it may lead to an itchier bum though.

Sometimes the glands are situated in a way they aren't expressing well due to anatomy. Ask the vet if things seem lined up correctly.

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