Expressing anal glands – is not a topic for the faint of heart. And this is definitely not a serious informational post either – I wrote that one already.

This story is more of a – who has the right? type of post – but from a more comical perspective…

If you’ve never EVER had to express your pup’s anal glands, then you’re living your best life. The only time I ever discussed this was with Jax – back in 2017.

The circumstances as to how his anal glands got expressed for the first time is a quick and easy read right here.

THIS CAN’T BE – 

something all dogs need to experience. For the past 13 years, I might as well have had my head up #youknowwhere when it came to understanding the –

• Who
• What

#andforallthatisHoly – 

• Why –

expressing anal glands is even necessary. 

Here’s something I wrote years ago that I believe is worth sharing again –

“Anal glands are two small, grape-shaped glands located just under the skin at four o’clock and eight o’clock to the anus. The fluidy, odoriferous material they normally produce is used by dogs, cats, and other small mammals to lend a unique scent to their stool, thereby identifying it as their own. Butt-sniffing is, at least in part, a behavior that recognizes this special aroma as peculiar to an individual and worthy of special attention. Source: PETMD  

You would think that I’d learned something worth retaining the first time – Nope! Here I am again #singslorettalynn and this 2^nd dance is more embarrassing than the first.

THE GROOMER DID IT – 

and just like before, I had no Doodle-idea Jaxson even had a problem down there! Probably because I believed if I didn’t look for it- I would never find it.

Hey, If I’m going to bear it all – it might as well be the whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help me…. #youknowtherest – 

I never thought about it because I never had any intentions of doing anything about it #eww

When I arrive to pick both Dood’s up, the gland-man groomer says to me –

Jaxson expressed himself while on my grooming table

Stupid me, I thought he was referring to Jaxson doing something cute, like snuggling up to him or smiling like a human when he’s looking at you.

HA!, I immediately took that proud stance – you know the one – where you cock your head to the side, place the palm of your hand over your heart, smiling and beaming with pride cause your dog did something amazing.

Only to have my world smashed when I heard the rest of the sentence –

and it stunk like hell so I had to clear his anal glands!

A large part of me died right there… #yep #likeamonsterfromabadhorrormovie

WHATEVER DO YOU MEAN? –

was what I wanted to say. But instead, all I could muster out of my tight, extremely dry throat was –

huh?

According to the expressor himself, Jaxson stood on the grooming table and released anal gland fluid clearing out the place and causing the groomer to glove up and go in.

This is only the 2nd time in Jaxson’s life he’s ever needed human assistance and I honestly tucked the first episode so far down my mental rolodex – this was like hearing it for the first time – again!

I listened and decidedc to skip my weekly after the groomer trip to Total Wine – and instead gave this brave human a tip upgrade and with my shades on I slithered to my car with two dogs in tow. #hidinglikeakardashian

Why I felt dirty – I’ll never know – but I did.

Jaxson, on the other hand was glistening – both inside and out….

ON A SERIOUS NOTE –

as I replayed our conversation in my head, flashbacks from my immediate memory brought forth these behind-the-scenes ah-ha moments –

• Jaxson had been scooting across the house a few times
• his stool wasn’t loose-loose, but it wasn’t as firm as it usually is either.

Many of the signs of issues one can read about, weren’t displayed by Jax at all. While certain dogs are prone to anal gland problems, this is predominantly a small dog breed issue. However, larger dogs can be affected as well.

Here’s what I’ve learned from incident #2 –

• anal glands can be a pain in the butt #punintended
• groomers mean well but they express glands differently from veterinarians. Their method may partially empty the glands leaving some fluids behind. This could lead to other problems down the road.
• I will pay more attention to loose stool (which I am grateful is rare) AND I am adding a more regular probiotic regimen to their diets.

For more comedic relief about this riveting subject, give a listen to us on our Podcast: Girls with Dogs Episode 37…

Smell is a powerful mute sense, the one without words ❤️