Question:
My jack russell, dashhound mix seems fine--however, she vomits about once a day. She is almost 2 years old, but still acts like a puppy. I've had her X-rayed for this problem about a year ago, it seems to come and go. She acts fine, eats fine--I just wondered if I should be concerned.
She also has a funky odor--it smells sort of fishy, it seems to be when she has to go pee, some days it seems worse than others, and she still stinks after I let her out to go to the bathroom. She does not seem ill, but I thought I should find out if these "symptoms" should be looked at by a vet.

Answer:
It appears the vet has already investigated the vomiting problem? I would be concerned about this and maybe seek a second opinion.

As far as the fishy smell, that is your dogs anal glands. They are full of liquid and need to be expressed by a vet or a groomer. I take my one girl in about once every 2 months to have them done. It costs about $20.00, however, it is the best money spent. The smell can get on carpets, couches etc.... and it STINKS! What I also do is use baby wipes when I can smell them. I use a couple and wipe her bum area really well.

Good Luck!
Heather and her 3 Golden Girls

Answer:
Does all dogs have anal gland problems? I have never had this problem so I want to know what to look for if I ever do? I mean how do they fix it?

Answer:
Originally Posted by Princesss04
Does all dogs have anal gland problems? I have never had this problem so I want to know what to look for if I ever do? I mean how do they fix it?

No, not all dogs have these problems. Some breeds tend to have them more than others, Goldens are one of them. I have many friends that have this problem with their dogs.

There are 2 choices as to how to fix this problem. One is to take the dog to your vet to have them expressed, or you can have surgery to take the anal glands out so this doesn't happen again.

I am seriously thinking of the surgery, but am not ready to commit to that quite yet.

Heather

Answer:
My Mother has a Shi Tzu that has problems with glands and had them removed. It is not nice it is very painful and I would not do it unless there is no other way. Also if your dog is not having problems don't touch them or express them once you start they become weak and you will have a problem. That is what my Vet and My Mother's Vet have both said. Leave them alone expressing should only be done when really needed. Feed a good food and that can help too.

Answer:
forgive me im new to this
i am trying to ask the vet a question because i cant get andy anzrs
i have 4 little kittens about 6 weeks old now have been in my care from the time they were a week old...in the last 3 days they have gained a limp and have feavers
i am worried about them they are my babies
if u have any ideas and can help ide apreciate it

Answer:
Originally Posted by goldenblaze
My Mother has a Shi Tzu that has problems with glands and had them removed. It is not nice it is very painful and I would not do it unless there is no other way. Also if your dog is not having problems don't touch them or express them once you start they become weak and you will have a problem. That is what my Vet and My Mother's Vet have both said. Leave them alone expressing should only be done when really needed. Feed a good food and that can help too.


My vet said that the surgery is not very painful in the least and he does many, many each year. He said we would be very happy if we did it. My girl was still a pup when this started so I wanted to give her time to see if it would get better. It hasn't. I feed very food food, as well as supplement with fruit, veggies and high quality meat. Doesn't make a difference.

Heather

Answer:
Humanmom.You should make your own thread....as for the sick kittens,they probably need to see a vet,the fever is more than likely a sign of infection,don't know about the limp
But please take them to a vet,if it's a money problem,try to arrange a pay-plan with him.
Kittens can go down really fast and you have done a great job so far,but now they need a vet :(

Answer:
Originally Posted by Goldenmom
My vet said that the surgery is not very painful in the least and he does many, many each year. He said we would be very happy if we did it. My girl was still a pup when this started so I wanted to give her time to see if it would get better. It hasn't. I feed very food food, as well as supplement with fruit, veggies and high quality meat. Doesn't make a difference.

Heather


Heather

Can you answer a question for me, I have read lots about this subject but still wonder... Why does it happen?
I was told that good food does make it less common but my mom had her dog on nutro aswell, she had the glands removed it was bad for atleast 2 weeks. That is Moms second dog this has happen to.

I have asked my vet and read about but still wonder, do you know any thing about that? Why in some dogs and not other's . Blaze had it maybe 2x Jordie never.

Sorry if it seems like a stupid question just I thought you might know since you are well educated about dogs.
Thanks

Answer:
Originally Posted by goldenblaze
Heather

Can you answer a question for me, I have read lots about this subject but still wonder... Why does it happen?
I was told that good food does make it less common but my mom had her dog on nutro aswell, she had the glands removed it was bad for atleast 2 weeks. That is Moms second dog this has happen to.

I have asked my vet and read about but still wonder, do you know any thing about that? Why in some dogs and not other's . Blaze had it maybe 2x Jordie never.

Sorry if it seems like a stupid question just I thought you might know since you are well educated about dogs.
Thanks

Lorie, first, I am not that well educated about dogs. I only give my own experiences etc.

With the anal glands, as with many ailments, it is hit and miss for each animal. Some dogs do great on a high fibre diet, while other dogs (like mine) still have problems no matter what. It isn't much different than humans actually. Some respond to medicine, some don't. With my girl, she is 1 1/2, and has had it since about 6 months of age. I am really, really hoping she will grow out of it, but so far, no go. All of a sudden we will look at each other and say "oh no, Lexi is having anal problems again" and I will be so dissapointed. The only sure cure is removing them. My vet assures me it takes one day of down time and then you would never know it was done.

The idea of the glands is that when the dog has a bowel movement, it is to push on the glands and express themselves. This does not happen in all dogs, as maybe they are shaped different. The smell is unbelieveable and is not only a fishy smell, but smells like very high iron content. I clean her butt immediately and if I have to clean her more than one day/week, she goes to the vet. The surgery will cost about 560.00, It goes by size.

Thats about all I can tell you. I am new at this gland thing also and wish my girl didn't have this problem, but believe me, there could be MUCH worse wrong with her and I thank God this is minor.

Heather and her 3 Golden Girls

Answer:
Heather

Thanks for answering my question When you write about growing out of it does that happen and how often does your girl's need expressed? Mom's little one was about every 3 weeks and she was 2 when mom had them removed. She had problems from puppyhood too, I am glad mine don't have that problem. Blaze and mange is stressful enough. One more thing I have never thought about it when you say isn't much different than humans, vets should use that term when talking to us.
Anyway thanks I do understand it alittle more, when talking about cost mom paid 437.00 I believe and that is a shih tzu she wasvery happy she did it and would do it again.
Good Luck with your Golden.



Answer:
Originally Posted by goldenblaze
Heather

Thanks for answering my question When you write about growing out of it does that happen and how often does your girl's need expressed? Mom's little one was about every 3 weeks and she was 2 when mom had them removed. She had problems from puppyhood too, I am glad mine don't have that problem. Blaze and mange is stressful enough. One more thing I have never thought about it when you say isn't much different than humans, vets should use that term when talking to us.
Anyway thanks I do understand it alittle more, when talking about cost mom paid 437.00 I believe and that is a shih tzu she wasvery happy she did it and would do it again.
Good Luck with your Golden.




Many times this starts off in puppies and it only happens a couple times. I keep hoping it will stop, but its not going to obviously.

I get Lexi done about once every 2 months or so. I just never know when it might be a problem again. It really has no rhym or reason, just STINKS like heck!

Heather

Answer:
LOL I know it does stink Blaze has had it twice.
Well I guess we just live and learn and hope everything works out for the best with us and our kids.

I have many more yrs with Blaze my first Golden, he is 7 mths tomorrow visits the Vet thursday for skin scraping again. I hope this is over soon but I do fear the worst, I found a new spot on his back yesterday when brushing him. Man I dislike Paws R Us.

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