Re: "Leaked" Anal Gland

In Reply to: "Leaked" Anal Gland
Category:   Medical
Posted by:  Belinda
Posted on:  March 31, 2002 at 22:45:57

: Hi there, I really enjoy your site very much. Keep up the good work! However I do have 1 question on leaking anal gland and would be great if you could shed some light. My 4-yr old spayed JRT often "leaked" on my pant when she is comfortably resting on my lap. Tried to express immediately after she "leaked" but nothing comes out. How often do I have to express her anal? This was the first time I'm doing it for the past 4 years. She did not scoot her rear end at all so how I can tell when is the time to express the glands?

Response:

Hi Belinda,

I have a "serial leaker" okay I used to have a serial leaker! My Brody used to have leaky anal glands all the time when we first rescued him. Talk about stink!!!

I was lucky enough to be able to obtain his health records which indicated a problem with his anal glands.

I put him on a premium very high quality dry kibble and he no longer has any anal gland problems and has never had to have them expressed in the 5 years he has lived with us.

It's the extreme rare occasion now if he leaks and then I always thank God for Febreze!

Anyway my uneducated guess is if she is leaking, the glands are emptying themselves. Ususally scooting butts means the glands might be full.

You may want to consider switching food and see if that might help with this problem, it really did the trick at our house.

You also need to be extremely careful if expressing these glands yourself as you can do some damage if not done properly. Your vet should be happy to show you the correct way.

Good Luck!
Marie