Basically, little Nelson has issues with his bum gland that are alleviated by adding extra fibre to his food. I’ve been using wheat bran, but I think he has an intolerance to wheat (which I understand is fairly common in dogs), it seems to make him moult really badly and gives him flaky skin. I stopped giving him the bran and his fur/skin cleared up, but the bum-gland problems came back.

So, what I’m after is a non-wheat based way of bulking up the fibre content. I had a suggestion of roughly chopped carrot, but he won’t eat it.

you can get rice bran…

Can I, from where? Will I have to go to a funny-smelling health food shop?

Get the vet to show you how to empty the glands? OK, it’s a bit “Yucky” but it’s not hard.

You can use fibogel – human gel or powder that bulks up the faeces.

Otherwise raw/lightly boiled Carrot/brocolli etc is good.

“Will I have to go to a funny-smelling health food shop?”

no, some of them do mail order.

OK, it’s a bit “Yucky” but it’s not hard.

understatement of the year

After months of their dog smelling a bit like rotten fish my brother had to take it to the vets to have its anal glands milked!!!

Apparently it’s not too hard to do. Lube up your finger, ram it in there, squeeze at the 10 and 4 o’clock positions, marvel at the vast quantities of green smelly stuff that comes out and then retch.

Just to think that before a phone converstion on Monday I never even knew you could milk a dogs arse!!

I am never owning a dog

Lucas – 10 and 2 o’clock. Not wanting to be picky or ‘owt 😉

And green stuff isn’t good – that suggests some infection???

Never going to be a fun job though

Those suggesting the manual option have never met Nelson. As a rescue/ex-street dog he will turn from incredibly cute to snarling ball of fang in approximately 6 nanoseconds.

If you want to come round and have a go however, feel free.

😆 To be fair. If someone tried to squeeze my glands, I think I’d turn into something pretty similar .

It’s one thing I tend to forgive animals for getting stroppy about 🙂

nickc – Member

Get the vet to show you how to empty the glands? OK, it’s a bit “Yucky” but it’s not hard.

nick – can i suggest that if you wish to continue cycling with me, you don’t get another dog

I am never, ever, shaking your hand again nick. And as for sharing a room in a hotel?…nuh-uh!

My phone conversation has not made me anal glad expert I though I was!!

Your vet can provide Peridale (in granules or capsules)which will do the job but is a bit pricy. Otherwise look for other sources of fibre eg rice bran/vegetables.

Learning how to empty anal glands without covering yourself in horrible smelly stuff is an art. One most people would rather not learn.

You guys….. 😀

Do cats have butt-glands like this, coz one of mine stinks!?! 😆

Hoi sin sauce?

Lube up your finger, ram it in there, squeeze at the 10 and 4 o’clock positions, marvel at the vast quantities of green smelly stuff that comes out and then retch.

they say

“you learn something new every day”

well what do I have to do to forget that? I don’t think I’ll be able to face chow mien for at least a week now!

We used porridge oats in our dogs food for a while before changing his food to another brand, and since then we’ve not had to add it, and have had no problems. We just give him a dried food btw.

best thread ever.

why did she not wear gloves tho 😯

If you are going to spend the day playing with your dogs anal glands – can you postpone it until tomorrow so the smell doesn’t ruin our drink tonight!!! 😕