Hi everyone, wondering if any of you other Ridgeback owners have had issues with their anal glands? I've had to have mine get his expressed 2-3 times over the years, most recently a couple weeks ago. He is still excessively licking his behind, and this hasn't been an issue in the past. He is 9 now and I'm wondering if his age has something to do with it. I'll be calling the vet back on Monday but was wondering in the meantime if anyone had any insight/experience. Thanks!
My little girl (Border Terrier) has had issues with hers from being a tiny pup. She can go for a year or so and be fine, then we have to have them emptied every month for 3 or 4 months, then she's fine again for another long while. I've never found a solution to it although I've tried everything from the stuff you buy at the vets, grated carrots etc. Her stools are firm so nothing to do with that. It remains a mystery and probably always will. She's 9 in September so I doubt things will change
I found ‘Protexin’ Veterinary Pro-Fibre very good for anal problems, ‘Glandex’ Fibre Supplements are also supposed to be very good.
I check on Merry's anal glands about once a month. One side can need emptying - always her left one. She always has a full, firm stool, so that isn't the reason. The sac became infected a few years ago, and the vet that treated her said that the left one was sited higher than the one on the opposite side. He thought this could be the reason why it was less efficient, and suggested removing it if it became infected again. With regular checking and emptying there has been no problem since, - quite often there is little or nothing there to empty. The Beags have a mixed vegetable stew on their kibble - but I don't know whether that makes any difference.
Yes, Banjo's glands have had to be expressed every few years, but it's never persisted until now. I'll be looking into some extra fiber for his diet and hopefully that will help! Thank you!
You could always try sprinkling some oat bran on Banjo's food, or mixing a small spoonful of it with some water and adding it to his food that way.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Protexin-Veterinary-Pro-Fibre-Dogs-Cats/dp/B00BEXP5MA https://www.glandex.com/ If you decide to try any of them, shop around as prices vary.
Hi there we have a 3 year old ridge and he was licking for a long time and then I smelled a fishy scent which I looked up that led me to finding that smell is a signal to needing to expel his glands, I read a article that said sometimes wetting their dry kibble a bit can help in the long term, which seems to be working for our guy
