jessies_mom
Posted : 1/10/2007 1:26:32 PM
However, is this the dog in your picture? anal gland problems are more common in smaller breeds
That's what I used to think LOL but Jessie is a Shepherd mix the size of a Lab and has anal gland problems. In her case it's probably because of her allergies; allergies irritate the walls of the drainage ducts that go from the anal glands to the rectum, causing the walls to swell and making it harder for fluid to drain. I've heard of many large dogs with anal gland problems though. Here's some suggestions from a holistic vet to help anal glands;
[link
http://www.crvetcenter.com/diseasesofmodliving.htm]http://www.crvetcenter.com/diseasesofmodliving.htm[/link];
This is a
disease of modern living, where commercial pet foods lack sufficient insoluble fiber (bulk) to produce a normal stool volume that helps express the scent glands on a daily basis.
Anal gland disorders are preventable with proper diet, exercise (to maintain anal sphincter tone), hydration, and fat metabolism.
The keys to preventing anal gland impaction are to have adequate fiber and unsaturated fats in the diet. Many commercial pet foods promote their diet as being "so highly digestible, your dog produces smaller stools". Fiber however is essential for normal motility and fermentation within the lower gastrointestinal tract. Domestic dogs and cats generally need more fiber in their diet, not less.
Good sources of fiber include: raw sesame seeds, ground flax seed, psyllium seed (Metamucil), buckwheat, whole oats, brown rice, and wheat bran. We recommend adding 1/2-teaspoon to 2 tablespoons of bran to the patient's diet, from cat to giant dog, daily. Be sure to hydrate the dry fiber thoroughly before incorporating it into their food, so it does not cause intestinal impaction or choke. Ordinary whole grain cereals, bran flakes and the like are fine, so long as the pet does not have a [link
http://www.crvetcenter.com/foodallergy.htm]food intolerance[/link] (allergy) to wheat or other cereal grains