anal gland expression

I know it's a bit but is this something that Staffies require? Suki seems to be scratching alot so I wanted to make sure that I wasn't missing a health requirement.

Janey thanks for the input. I'm not at all squemish and would have no problems with the procedure. My issue is that there is sooooo much conflicting information out there as to whether or not this is a neccessary procedure. I know with larger breeds, like Rotties, this is neccessary but since Suki is my first Staffy that I am responsible for I don't know if this is an issue or not? When I had a Bulldog it was never a problem and since AmStaffs are around the same size I was curious as to whether or not the procedure was needed?

Hiya jstaff... I use to own a Rottie and never had any problems with his anal glands but since we got Inca (our 1st Staffy) we (well me !) have had to empty her anal glans a few times ..
I spoke to my vet about this funny fishy smell that was coming from her back end (not all the time just every now and then) and he said it was her anal glands that hadn't emptied properly so he shown me how to do it on a visit (not for the faint hearted thow !!) and now i just empty her anal glands when she has the fishy smell and it stops straight away..
Hope this is of any help to you ..

Never had a problem with harvey, although he was sat on the OH and it sort of went all over his jeans once

I think it depends alot on what sort of food they eat as well.

Jethro has had his squeezed out a few times over the years at the vets.. the vet quickly sprayed some air freshener around....!! hahaha..

my first Tessa had to have hers done regular ( not by me ) andagain i used to know when it was needed as she would sit on her bum and spin round! no problems with Woody yet

Milly had hers done once by vet she has seemed fine since but as said above she was dragging her bottom along floor

Thanks for the advice everyone. Seems as if I will have to let the vet educate me on the proper procedure.

hi im a dog groomer, and find a lot of the small breeds need anal glands doing reg, but never had to do a staffys. i didnt even know they had them. we are going to be purchasing a pup soon, ill have to keep and eye out. i have a hydrobath so just wash it off straight away.

our vet owns a staffie and he said as long as her stools are normal the glands shoudl empty whenever he goes its only if they have had loose or soft stools for a couple of days that the glands fill up and need to be emptied

Now this might be TMI, but since we're feeding raw the dogs have very firm stools and express the glands themselves. You can actually SEE the goo from the anal glands come out in a spurt from time to time if you keep an eye on them while they're doing their business. (Told you it could be TMI )

yes ive seen them spurt out when pooing nice just eating my tea

I'm not hungry at the moment...

vanessa wrote:

I'm not hungry at the moment...

I would give it a go if Charlie needed it, but if I couldnt do it, I'd get the vet to do it.

Hmmmm.....not so sure about this one and to tell you the truth, RoXy would'nt stay still enough for me to deal with any issues along these lines, energetic young thing she is

everytime Jethro goes to the vets for his needles, I always ask the vet if they can check his anal glands.. not a job for the faint hearted.... PHEW!!

yeh i can just imagine me being the talk of the street ,,,, oh look there's the nut case that eyeballs his two dogs having a forrest gump pmsfl

This is my anal gland expression -