Go Back   Pet forum for dogs cats and humans - Pets.ca > Discussion Groups - mainly cats and dogs > Dog health - Ask members * If your pet is vomiting-bleeding-diarrhea etc. Vet time!

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old April 20th, 2010, 08:52 AM
Girl&2whitedogs Girl&2whitedogs is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Winchester, Ontario
Posts: 9
Anal Glad removal, what are the risks?

I took my Bichon Mix Kina to the vet on Thursday. We finally saw our regular vet who had been away on mat leave.

I mentioned to her that I was having issues with Kina's anal glands. We had then drained at the groomers 2 weeks ago and prior to that, they were drained by a vet tech.

After examining Kina, she mentioned to me that the reason that Kina was having difficulties draining her glands herself when she defecates is because of where her glands are located. They're not in the correct position so when she does defecate her feces aren't pushing against her glands.

I did ask about having them surgically removed. She stated that there was some risk of permanent fecal incontinence.

Does anyone know how common these risks are? Are there any other risks?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old April 20th, 2010, 09:24 AM
Melinda's Avatar
Melinda Melinda is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,247
my girlfriend had her shepherds done 8 yrs ago, no difference to her at all now.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old April 20th, 2010, 01:59 PM
hazelrunpack's Avatar
hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
The Pack's Head Servant
Chopper Challenge Champion, Mini KickUps Champion, Bugz Champion, Snakeman Steve Champion, Shape Game Champion, Mumu Champion, Mouse Race Champion
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Just east of the Hazelnut Patch, Wisconsin
Posts: 53,771
Gauge had his anal glands removed because of impaction and frequent infections. We were also worried about the risk of fecal incontinence, but the surgery went well and there were no other complications. I would suggest, however, that if you decide to go with the surgery, you find one that has done a lot of them.
__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old April 21st, 2010, 01:30 PM
Girl&2whitedogs Girl&2whitedogs is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Winchester, Ontario
Posts: 9
Thanks Hazelrunpack. I'm not quite sure what I will do at this point.

I'll monitor how many times we run to the vet to drain them and how big of a problem they become. So far its just a problem of running to the vet everytime we see her scoot across the living room floor or when we smell them off of her.

If we do decided to get them removed, we will definately take your suggestion and find someone that has preformed a lot of them.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old April 21st, 2010, 03:09 PM
hazelrunpack's Avatar
hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
The Pack's Head Servant
Chopper Challenge Champion, Mini KickUps Champion, Bugz Champion, Snakeman Steve Champion, Shape Game Champion, Mumu Champion, Mouse Race Champion
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Just east of the Hazelnut Patch, Wisconsin
Posts: 53,771
It's not that difficult to drain the glands yourself if you want to give it a try. I'm sure a tech at your vet clinic will show you how. If you want to keep the smell off your hands, use rubber gloves Some people can't take the odor, though
__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old April 22nd, 2010, 03:44 PM
Girl&2whitedogs Girl&2whitedogs is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Winchester, Ontario
Posts: 9
Our vet has shown me how to express them myself. Because of where Kina's glands are located, its better that we express them internally. (so believe me you would want to wear rubber gloves.) I'd have to get someone with a strong stomach to hold her while I do them, and unfortunately, I can't find a volunteer!

In the begining I really couldn't stomach the smell and actually gagged all the way home from the vet's.

I think I just got use to the smell as it seems that I'm smelling them on a regular basis now!!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old April 23rd, 2010, 01:46 PM
Dr Lee's Avatar
Dr Lee Dr Lee is offline
Senior Contributor - Expert
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: East Coast
Posts: 1,060
As hazelpackrun mentioned, the risk of anal sac removal is generally temporary or permamnent fecal incontinence. So far, I have not seen a pet that developed permanent fecal incontinence. Most dogs do rather well. Local infection of the site is also a possibility. If any part of the sac is left during the surgery then a chronic abscess can occur. This is less common with a pet that has recurrent impaction than with dogs that have recurrent infections or abscesses. Most all dogs do very well with the surgery. Hope that helps.
__________________
Christopher A. Lee, DVM, MPH, Diplomate ACVPM
Preventive Medicine Specialist With a Focus on Immunology and Infectious Disease
myvetzone.com
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old April 23rd, 2010, 08:49 PM
hazelrunpack's Avatar
hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
The Pack's Head Servant
Chopper Challenge Champion, Mini KickUps Champion, Bugz Champion, Snakeman Steve Champion, Shape Game Champion, Mumu Champion, Mouse Race Champion
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Just east of the Hazelnut Patch, Wisconsin
Posts: 53,771
Quote:
Originally Posted by Girl&2whitedogs View Post
I'd have to get someone with a strong stomach to hold her while I do them, and unfortunately, I can't find a volunteer!

In the begining I really couldn't stomach the smell and actually gagged all the way home from the vet's.

I think I just got use to the smell as it seems that I'm smelling them on a regular basis now!!
Rats, too bad we're not closer. I've actually gotten to like that anal gland parfum! I'd be glad to help...it's quite a road trip, though.
__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Forum Terms of Use

  • All Bulletin Board Posts are for personal/non-commercial use only.
  • Self-promotion and/or promotion in general is prohibited.
  • Debate is healthy but profane and deliberately rude posts will be deleted.
  • Posters not following the rules will be banned at the Admins' discretion.
  • Read the Full Forum Rules

Forum Details

  • Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
    Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
    vBulletin Optimisation by vB Optimise (Reduced on this page: MySQL 0%).
  • All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:49 AM.