Anal glands

[Linda M.]

Hi all I'm new here. I have an irish setter that is constantly scooting on the rug. I have his anal glands expressed(fun) every other week. The vet doesn't have an answer for why he has this problem. Can anyone out there help?

[Quincy Wisdom]

Check for worms...or he could just have an itch...

[Renee750il]

Could be an allergy, too.

[Kbob]

Hi Linda,
I had a dog that this happened to frequently and like you, I had to have her anal glands expressed many, many times during her 12 years. She was a black lab/rotty mix. After she was checked for things such as worms or another medical problem and cleared...We were told that this just can happen with some dogs. Most dogs can express their own glands with no help but some cannot. I feel your frustration but it might just be something you'll have to get used to having done.
Take care.

[Ratboy]

Lucky me, I've had a couple dogs with anal gland "issues". My old Lab/Beagle had constant infections and it took forever, and a lot of trips to the vet, to resolve it. One of my 2 present dogs is "loaded" all the time. He needs it done constantly, and doesn't want me doing it. He doens't seem to mind the vet doing it though. There's no infection, but about once a week, he's loaded. My other dog, his littermate has had her glands expressed about 6 times in the nearly 6 years I've had both of them. Luck of the draw..

[Lou]

what does getting the glands expressed mean?

[Ratboy]

It just means emptied..That's how the vet puts it, and I say it automatically without thinking. Sorry for any confusion.