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I am trying not to be too graphic in the topic title but Jasper's booty is a big hot mess! I am hoping others that have dealt with this before can weigh in if there is anything I can do with her diet to reduce the build-up.
Long story short - Jasper went to the vet 2 months ago for her shots and we discovered, she didn't need them. But her anal glands were inflamed so they expressed them. Today we went for the shots and I said take a look at them please and don't you know... those darn things were full again.
Now a couple of times, Jasper has been sitting on my lap or other people's lap and there has been leakage left behind ... This NEVER was an issue w/Shelby but Shelby was an aggressive pooper ... more than once a day.
Jasper will - at most - poop once a day. Sometimes every other day. She acts like she plans to poop and then loses her nerve or desire or I don't know what.
Her diet is grain-free , Fromms, Lamb & Lentil. She also gets baby carrots and cucumbers with breakfast. Dinner is kibble with green beans and sometimes, when I remember, pumpkin. She also gets fruit (whatever is safe and in season). I can't imagine she's not getting enough fiber but do I need to give her MORE? We had been off pumpkin for a few months when the store was always out.
Any ideas how to manage this or else Jasper will need to go monthly to have these glands expressed. She shows no signs of discomfort (no scooting the booty, no gas, nothing).
Thank you!!!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Do you ever give her raw bones? A raw bone once a week (or more) will seriously firm up her poop, and that should really help express her glands naturally. My Billie had problems occasionally. Neither Elsie nor Meg ever have, so I do think some dogs are just more prone than others.
xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
My little Biscuit has anal gland problems. I found a product that really bulks his stool so that they get expressed naturally. It is called No-Scoot. I found it on Amazon th=1. I had tried giving him a bit of pumpkin every day and it really worked but he started snubbing it and within a few days was back to scooting around on the carpets.
Daisy had problems, too. She would express them herself (on the couch no less) and leave behind a wet nasty smell. Lol.
Good luck!
Marla, Biscuit and Spirit Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
Preaching to the choir, sis! Izzy has hers expressed every time we are at the vet (ok, she's been there a LOT lately, so not every time recently). I give her pumpkin and other roughage but she's alllllways full when we go in. So gross. She doesn't scoot either but I'll give that no-scoot a try!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
WOW... thanks all!!! Who knew this was a real thing that had to be dealt with so often... I swear, little Jasper Lily likes to keep her mama on her toes!
Jasper also eats a fair amount of raw spinach - no wonder this dogs loves her fruits and veggies so much. She knows it will help her in the poop dept. I will increase her pumpkin and see how we do for a month and if not, then I'll ask our vet about getting some of that no-scoot. I was reading online and I do not want to remove her glands! EEK!
And PS - LOL and I'm so sorry about on the couch!!! I can imagine Jasper doing that on our bed!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Do not do that Alison. It can cause a lot of problems. Read about that with Bosch's Fistualas. I have to have his expressed every couple of months because he has so much scar tissue built up that it doesn't do it properly. sorry to be graphic.
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Oh wow... Michelle! I had no clue !!! They warned me about a 'back-up' if I didn't do it but I was hoping to avoid a monthly expression. But if that is what she needs, I'll do it for her.
Thank you for sharing!!!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Pretty sure a stinky anal glad "leak" is a dog's way of seeking revenge for every nasty pill we've made them take! Nastiest smell EVER!!
Merry Myrtle has no issue, but Frankie sure has the stinky leak a lot! They both eat the same food. I've had the vet handle that "end" of things (they actually have the vet tech do it)! The vet said Coonhounds have that "issue" a lot. Not sure about it being breed specific though.
Anyway, one thing that caught my eye. Jasper Lily sometimes just goes every other day?? Just based on my dogs, it's airways, as far as I know, everyday.
Will be interesting to see what Doc says!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Don't know if Jasper goes to the groomers but they usually will do them too if you ask. I never could express my dogs glands myself. I'd get all gloved up but just couldn't get myself to "go in". Lol.
Marla, Biscuit and Spirit Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit and Spirit Daisy
Some dogs just seem to have more issues with these glands due to anatomy but they can also be irritated by food or pollen allergy. Adding fiber and considering alternate protein sources may help. Many dogs just need them emptied more often (every 4 -8 weeks) to keep them from leaking. I had a Jack Russell terrier when I first graduated from vet school and he leaked them every 7-10 days or so and eventually I removed them. This is not that difficult of a surgery but you want to find an experienced surgeon because if not done properly the dog may have fecal incontinence (I have never seen this happen).
Pam
Thank you Dr. Pam!!!! Thankfully, Jasper has almost never expressed herself in my home but I do imagine this might be uncomfortable for her. We will try upping her fiber (pumpkin and green beans with supper) and see if that makes a difference next month when we go back. I don't mind taking her monthly for it but would prefer to fix this holistically!
I think chicken protein gives her the itchies ... just something I noticed when I first got her so we've been on the lamb protein. We know she has seasonal allergies in general but overall, her itching has been reduced greatly. I always thought her licking of her bum was normal dog stuff but now I wonder if she was trying to deal w/that situation.
our vet did mention removal of the glands as a last resort and I don't want to go that route. I would rather take her in monthly than put her through that.
And yes, Sally, most often Jasper goes once a day but sometimes she has skipped a day - despite super long walks! Or she goes to poop and then doesn't. Shelby was the most aggressive pooper .. sometimes 3 times a day! funny how they are all different! 🙂
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Alison,
It's really not hard to express their glands. I know it's yucky but you can put a paper towel over their rear, insert a gloved finger and squeeze and it's done. Maggie always had impacted glands and I just wasn't going to pay a vet to do it. Once a week we would have spa day and she would get her ears cleaned, her glands expressed, her teeth cleaned and her nails trimmed if needed. Have a glass or 2 of wine and go for it. I guess because I work in a hospital I don't mind the gross stuff.
Penny and Maggie Bums
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