rectal glands??
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Anal glands often need to be expressed - but should NOT be frequently! They are "expressed" naturally during a regular bowel movement. If the stool is soft - and the glands don't express themselves - they sometimes can become impacted (at which time you would need to "assist"). This is sometimes done during a grooming and/or routine Vet appointment. Warning - it can be nasty!!! You can learn how to do it (if you wish!) - or at least learn how to check them (your Vet and/or Groomer should be able to show you how!). You can tell that they are impacted (often by a foul odor coming from your dog's backside!  ) or if Molly is "dragging" her butt on the floor.
Be aware - the smell can sometimes be over powering - enough to cause gagging! 
Anal glands can also become infected (which needs the intervention of a medical professional) - and require treatment. Some dogs even have to have their anal glands removed (surgically) if chronic infections occur. If Molly has a problem with impacted anal glands - you may want to look at changing her food - or adding something to help "firm" the stools! (Sorry this is so gross I know!) Let me know if you have any more questions! Kristen |
| LOL I know this is not really funny and kinda gross but you just reminded me that my great dane once had anal glands that looked as though they might need taken care of... and a couple of days before the vet appointment she swallowed an adult size pair of socks rolled into a ball. The whole thing. Swallowed whole. Well, it took over a day, but the ball of socks made its way through and out the other end, still whole, just a different color, and as luck would have it, took care of the gland problem too! |
| P.S. Although the socks only cost a couple of dollars and saved me a bundle from a vet visit, lol, I don't recommend it as treatment! |
| she doesnt seemed to have any discomfort back "there" just the staining of the fir..her stool is usually pretty solid...so i should leave it alone? i wasnt sure if the staining was because the glands were "full" or not...just checking.. |
| I think that the staining would indeed be from the glands if her stools are firm.... if you trust your vet I would go ahead with his/her recommendation. If you're not sure, maybe get a second opinion. As far as I am aware, once this 'expressing' has been done, it often causes the need for it to be done again, often more regularily. Out of the many dogs I have had over the years, my dane had a problem with it once, and a male golden retriever had to have it done about once a year, and more often as he entered his later years. By the time he was 13 he had it done 3 times a year, and I can't help but wonder if it truly was a problem he had or if it was caused by the vet doing it each year perhaps when unnecessary, as a preventative. |
| Our groomer used to do it every visit. |
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