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Ask the vet

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In Association with Vet Help Direct - an interactive website designed and run by qualified vets. Step-by-step questions help you to decide if you need to take your pet to the vets, and if so how urgently. If your dog isn't insured yet, find out what vets recommend you look into when choosing a policy. There is a directory of pet insurers so that you can then find the best policy for you and your dog. If you aren't already registered with a vet in your area there is a directory of local vet practices. Visit www.vethelpdirect.com

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Ask The Vet - Q&A Question Our 1 year old EBT is fit and healthy but over the last month, now and again there is this awful fishy smell omitted from his anus. He toilets regularly and has no problems going at all. Can you shed any light? Charlotte Chase - Lincolnshire, UK Answering questions: Susie Samuel MA VetMB MRCVS from Vet Help Direct Answer Hi Charlotte, Thanks for your question. It sounds like your EBT may problems with his anal glands. Unlike humans, dogs have scent glands in their anus, commonly known as ‘anal glands’. The anal glands are found in the wall of the anus at approximately the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock position. These glands produce a foul smelling secretion which often has a ‘fishy’ odour. They are designed to empty out onto the faeces when a dog passes a motion, acting as a scent marker to other dogs. Dogs often get problems with blocked anal glands. As the glands fill up the fishy smell becomes more obvious and the glands become uncomfortable, dogs often drag their bottoms along the floor and nibble at their back ends to try to relieve the discomfort. This sort of behaviour can cause skin problems and if the glands are not emptied they are very susceptible to infection. Once the glands become infected they can be very difficult to manage and some dogs require them to be flushed out or even removed surgically. At the first sign of anal gland blockage it is important to get them emptied as soon as possible. You need to get a vet to do this for the first time to make sure that there are no other problems. If this becomes a recurrent problem you can ask your vet to show you how to empty the glands yourself. This is a fairly unpleasant job, and I find that for some reason most people prefer to get their vet to do it for them! Good luck with this problem. Kind regards, Susie Samuel MA VetMB MRCVS www.vethelpdirect.com © D for Dog www.dfordog.com Back to Questions Previous Next   Only one question per week will be answered. Unanswered questions will be retained and may be selected at a later date at the vet's discretion. Disclaimer: 'Ask The Vet' is not intended to be used for as a substitute for visiting your vet. If your dog is showing any sign of poor health or discomfort please contact your own veterinary surgeon. If you are not sure how urgent the condition is use www.vethelpdirect.com to help you decide. Any opinions given in the answers to these questions are Ms Samuel's, they may not necessarily reflect the views of the veterinary profession in general or any other individual veterinary surgeon.   Aloe Heat Lotion Joint Warming Agent Aloe Propolis Creme for Skin Conditions Natural Bee Propolis Powerful Antibiotic

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