Butt Slide...

[OsaBarbosa]

Ok, why do dogs do this? Its when they slide their butt across the ground. Does it really mean anything? Osa did it last night when we got home from a walk on the hardwood floor. She did it a couple of times so we took her back outside thinking she had to poo. Well, she didn't and didn't do the slide again. She has done this a couple of time in the past.

When I see it all that I can think about is that one commercial for a carpet cleaner (I think) where the kid is watching the dog do it and is laughing and the mom walks in and screams.

 

[Charliesmommy]

It means it is probably time for a vet visit. Most likely she either has an intestinal parasite or she needs her anal glands expressed.

 

[houndlove]

It can mean a few things. Firstly, it can mean your dog just has an itch he can't reach. I forgive the occasional single scoot because sometimes my butt itches and I imagine sometimes a dog's butt itches too. But serial scooting is usually one of two things: anal glands need expressing, or worms.

 

[OsaBarbosa]

What exactly is anal gland expressing? She has maybe done it four times in the last month. We will watch to make sure it doesn't get more frequent. She goes into the vet next week for her demodectic mange follow up (we just finished the 6 wk Ivermectin tx).

 

[PoodleMommy]

Four times in a month doesnt really seem like alot... but remember this is 4 times YOU SAW... this could mean it is happening other times.

I would mention it to the vet when you are in and bring a stool sample... that way worms can be ruled out and the vet can check rather quickly for filled anal glands.

Every once in a while one of mine will do it after a grooming...which I always let go as an itch, or that the groomer got too close and irritated them... but if it is another time we head for the vet for an anal gland expression...somehow I havent worked up the courage to do that on my own!

Good Luck.

Elissa

 

[Charliesmommy]

Osa, see this:

http://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Dog_Anal_Glands

 

[OsaBarbosa]

Thanks!!

 

[GlassOnion]

You can also express them at home and save $10 or however much your vet charges. Pretty easy to do. Just reach in with index finger (with a glove and lube, of course) and there'll be two grapesized sacks. Squeeze them towards the opening (the one that your finger is in...) and voila.

Have deodorant and baby wipes on hand.

 

[houndlove]

Yeah, ick no thank you! I've had dogs for many years now and I love them but I do not love them enough to stick my finger up their butt (and anal gland juice is pretty much the foulest substance known to man). I pay someone else to love them that way for me!

 

[StunnedMonkey]

Sometimes it might just be a dangler that's driving the dog nuts. Darby did a butt slide awhile back and left this trail:

Sure enough, we needed to get the scissors out for some maintenance.

 

[nancy2394]

I had a pug that for some reason had trouble draining his anal glands. My vet told me that those little anal glands located on the inside drain with bowel movements. I always knew when my pug's anal glands were not draining because he'd start doing the butt scoot across the floor.

I used to take him to the vet and have them express the glands because I didn't want to stick my finger up my dogs butt :yikes: It wouldn't have been too bad if it only happened every few months or so.. but he would have spells where it would have to be done weekly. My vet told me it was silly to keep coming back for that and he showed me how to do it.

It was soooooo gross. But it provided instant relief for my dog. Eventually I hardly ever had to express them. It was always a two man job for us... imagine a dog just laying still while you violate their anus... NOT. I would lay a towel over my legs and lay my dog across my legs and had someone press his body downward across my lap and hold him steady while I did the deed.

One time it was my daughter who was only around 10 years old at that time who was holding him for me. I guess his anal glands were particularly full this one time because I squeezed them and that nasty foul liquid shot out and hit her in the chin. The smell about killed us both. She started to cry and said she was never going to help again. I can't say I blame her... a few inches upward and it would have landed in her mouth :yikes:

I don't think I have ever smelled anything as bad as the stuff you express out of an anal gland. It's so bad it makes your eyes water and makes you gag. Ewwww the thought of it brings back such horrific moments of anal expressions... ewwwww!

 

[malmo]

My vet showed me how to do it from the outside... I have to do it about every 2 weeks on Milo. After the switch to raw, we do it a little less.

 

[bubbatd]

I had one Golden that seemed to need it more than the others . Did it when bathing . Stinks like mad !!

 

[Pomp]

Smaller dogs tend to have more anal gland issues than larger dogs. When my dogs do this, I usually just take them for a walk and when they poop, that expresses the anal glands. Also, another sign that their anal glands are full is you can smell them. It has a like a rusty-penny, fish smell. Yummy.

It's rather easy to express a dog's anal glands. And it does not involve putting your fingers in their butt. Do a search and you'll find plenty of websites which show you how to do it.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

They can be expressed internally and externally. Generally other than a vet.. Most people do it externally. I did Smudge's a few weeks ago. Was horrifying, his kibble switch gave him the runs and he was scooting and licking. It spurted mildly. Hope I never have to do it again. Lord.