Xerxes, our beagle, is very anal-gland-y at the moment (last night and today). Vets are operating on emergency basis only per provincial orders, so...they sent me a video of how to express them internally (they have a YouTube channel with the external method, which I've tried unsuccessfully).

So once Toby's up from his naps, time for the gloves and lube...man. The video I watched made me want to heave. The smell is unpleasant, but doesn't bother me that much. But the VISUALS! Dark brown fluid eww

Neb used to need his anal glands expressed, and we always had the vet do it. Some things are worth paying for! Happily he seems to have outgrown that.

I am put out with canid evolutions as creatures that evolved to have anal glands! Yech!

At least Xerxes is the most pliant dog I've ever had. Hoping he's a good boy for this!

Good luck!!!! Hope it goes well.

Good luck. That's a thing I never wanted to learn how to do either. Always relied on the vet if it needed doing.

If this is a recurrent thing Xerxes, you may want think about having them removed. I've had the issue taken care of with an antibiotic injection in one dog but that didn't work with BTE2. The vet here suggested removing them. We did. It went well, no complications, no change in bowel habits after the operation.

However - good luck with this adventure...

Jenn,

I think it's truly devotion that you learn this technique in our shared terrible time. I'm late here so you have probably done the deed-but I bet Xerxes was a really good boy.

It all comes down to-we love them so much.

MJ

I haven't done it!

Thanks all I appreciate the moral support.

I tried external expression twice yesterday, so Toby felt I'd 'bothered the area enough and we should wait'. He has NOT expressed today, so I'm hoping he got everything out himself. But if he does again, on go the gloves and lube!

Oh and Middle this is the first time that I can think of Xerxes has had this as an issue - thankfully!