When Grooming does the anal glands have to be squeezed?

[mommy115]

All I can add is that I had a pomerian who lived to be 19 1/2 years old and did not have his anal glands expressed once. (I was unaware of this practice). What can I say? 19 1/2 years is a long time to get along without a monthly 'necessary' procedure. I know everyone gets a lot of info on different subjects from a lot of different places and the different places won't always say the same thing. Bottom line, check with your vet if you trust him/her not to recommend an unneeded procedure to promote income for themselves. Otherwise just trust one opinion or another. I do not recommend starting this procedure myself.

[PoodlePoodie]

Do you need to go to a vet to do this? I'm not aware of this Anal Squeezing.

[Pam 19]

I had a Chow one time that had to have his anal glands expressed frequently. I mean a lot & I don't know why. Neither did the vet. But thank you for the instructions on how to do it. I was also a nurse for a long time so I'm sure it won't bother me. I'm also going to talk to my vet & get his opinion on the subject before I start this.But with all this I think all bases will be covered.

[Lee at Delayre]

I also agree with Susie and cmx89 Most dogs never need them expressed . A a good diet high infiber giving good stools and he may neverneed them pumped. I went to a grooming convention a few year ago and the opinions of most of the groomers (many were Master Groomers not just pet type groomers ) was not to do anal glands. Have the owner have their Vet check them during the annual checkup and shots. Pumping them when it is not a problem could lead to problems.