So the other day at the crazy vets office, they charged $20 to express Abby's anal glands. Now I wouldn't want Abby to be uncomfortable you know that...but we were at the vet less than 3 weeks ago and they said then that her anal glands were empty...can they even fill up in 3 weeks?
BareOnAHotTinRoofLairianJoined:Nov 26, 2009Messages:83Likes Received:103Location: Waco, TexasSphynx Bucks: $354.00Ratings:+103 It all depends on the specific animal and what diet they are on. Some animals produce more and need expressed more often, and some don't ever need expressing. Did they tell you if she was hard to express or easy? AG excretions can be liquid(what Baron has, in very small amounts), or they can be very thick, black and gooey. BareOnAHotTinRoof, Jan 23, 2010 #2 Like x 2 abbyknitterSenior Lairian Senior LairianJoined:Dec 9, 2009Messages:529Likes Received:307Location: WisconsinSphynx Bucks: $1.00Ratings:+307 No they didn't, should I keep an eye on her then? abbyknitter, Jan 23, 2010 #3 PitRottMommyBannedJoined:May 28, 2009Messages:862Likes Received:282Location: Oklahoma City, OklahomaSphynx Bucks: $322.00Ratings:+287 I agree with Bare. For some animals, yes, it can be required frequently and they do fill fast. I used to have a Chihuahua that needed twice-weekly expressions. We finally just had them removed because they caused him so many problems. Using a food with more fiber, or adding 1 tsp of canned pumpkin twice daily, should help to express them naturally as the feces leaves the body. In addition, the fiber content won't hurt your girl at all. Most cats love pumpkin. My cats would eat only pumpkin if I'd permit this, lol. PitRottMommy, Jan 23, 2010 #4 Like x 2 susi794Moderator Staff MemberJoined:Aug 23, 2009Messages:13,352Likes Received:12,430Location: Belding, MichiganSphynx Bucks: $46,138.92Ratings:+12,611 I couldn't believe it, but mine love it too. So does my beagle! susi794, Jan 23, 2010 #5 myspecialboyLairianJoined:Sep 23, 2009Messages:179Likes Received:71Location: IndianaSphynx Bucks: $766.16Ratings:+71 Is there any way to tell if the glands need to be expressed? myspecialboy, Jan 23, 2010 #6 abbyknitterSenior Lairian Senior LairianJoined:Dec 9, 2009Messages:529Likes Received:307Location: WisconsinSphynx Bucks: $1.00Ratings:+307 Thats a good question Thanks guys, you don't know how much that helps abbyknitter, Jan 24, 2010 #7 PitRottMommyBannedJoined:May 28, 2009Messages:862Likes Received:282Location: Oklahoma City, OklahomaSphynx Bucks: $322.00Ratings:+287 Dogs are notorious for dragging their bums on the carpet when they need to be expressed. For cats that are bothered by it, they may do the same or consistently lick the anal area. Generally speaking, anal glands cause more of a problem with dogs than they do with cats. In fact, I can count on one hand the number of cats I've ever seen for anal gland issues. I cannot even begin to count the number of dogs. It is said that a fatty diet can even exacerbate anal gland issues. Therefore, feeding a low fat diet with a fair amount of fiber usually leads to not having to deal with recurrent anal gland issues. If it continues to be a problem, upgrading food generally fixes it. PitRottMommy, Jan 24, 2010 #8 Like x 2 (You must log in or sign up to reply here.)Show Ignored Content Login with InstagramLog in with FacebookYour name or email address: Do you already have an account? No, create an account now. Yes, my password is: Forgot your password? Stay logged in Sphynxlair Forums > Sphynx Cat Chat > Sphynx Cat Questions? > XenForo Add-ons by Brivium ™ © 2012-2018 Brivium LLC.
It all depends on the specific animal and what diet they are on. Some animals produce more and need expressed more often, and some don't ever need expressing. Did they tell you if she was hard to express or easy? AG excretions can be liquid(what Baron has, in very small amounts), or they can be very thick, black and gooey.
I agree with Bare. For some animals, yes, it can be required frequently and they do fill fast. I used to have a Chihuahua that needed twice-weekly expressions. We finally just had them removed because they caused him so many problems. Using a food with more fiber, or adding 1 tsp of canned pumpkin twice daily, should help to express them naturally as the feces leaves the body. In addition, the fiber content won't hurt your girl at all. Most cats love pumpkin. My cats would eat only pumpkin if I'd permit this, lol.
Dogs are notorious for dragging their bums on the carpet when they need to be expressed. For cats that are bothered by it, they may do the same or consistently lick the anal area. Generally speaking, anal glands cause more of a problem with dogs than they do with cats. In fact, I can count on one hand the number of cats I've ever seen for anal gland issues. I cannot even begin to count the number of dogs. It is said that a fatty diet can even exacerbate anal gland issues. Therefore, feeding a low fat diet with a fair amount of fiber usually leads to not having to deal with recurrent anal gland issues. If it continues to be a problem, upgrading food generally fixes it.
