Impacted anal glands in an 11 yr old spayed female

Question

Daisy   QUESTION: Our cocker spaniel Daisy has been exceptionally healthy for most of her eleven years.  We got her from a respected breeder who breeds cockers for companion animals.  We brought Daisy home at 8 weeks and she was spayed at 4 months.  She has always had excellent vet care and is up-to-date on her inoculations.  Right now she is taking HeartGuard monthly but no other medications.  

I have tried to be conscientious about her diet--she gets Beneful original kibble mixed with either a little bit of chopped deli or some of the Beneful "beef stew".  She is fed once a day.  Her only treats are "Marrowbones".

For the last couple years she has had increasing problems with plugged anal glands.  Her vet has needed to express them every 4 or 5 weeks.  The last two time our vet could not get the fluid out of the gland it was so thick and gooey and it was necessary to anesthetize Daisy and express the junk.  She went in today after taking a 10 day regimen of prednisolone; our vet hoped this would alleviate any inflammation that might be in the glands and help the gunk to be expressed.  One of the glands is completely blocked and the other was partially expressed.  Our vet is a very competent young woman and I am sure she is doing her very best; she bought the practice from an older vet who had the same problems so I do not think it is her fault.  Daisy is a pure bred American Cocker Spaniel and she weighed 28.1 pounds about a month ago.  She has weighed as much as 33 but we have a young pup and they get more exercise than she was getting.

I am willing to do anything necessary to help alleviate the problem--should I change her food?  I use Purina products exclusively as this company does not have its food made in China or, at least they did not when the problems with dog food arose several years ago.  Should I feed her twice a day with half at each feeding time.  I can make her food if need be although I would rather have amounts of things like bran, apples or carrots I can add.  She is a pretty picky eater but being able to mix foot in her normal diet.  She does not appear to be particularly constipated but it does take her two or three attempts to completely finish her bowel movement when she has one. She usually has at least one a day.

I spoke briefly with our vet about having the anal glands removed but I hate to have it done given her age.  However, I hate for have to be anesthetized frequently to express the glands.  It is painful for her and I understand the need for the anesthetic but I really hate for her to have to have it.  

Any suggestions are most welcome.  I was not here today and my husband took her to the vet; she is supposed to call sometime this weekend after she does some checking on alternative therapy.  I have searched vet med sites and found the suggestions about bran, veggie, etc as well as possibly adding olive oil to her food.

Again, my thanks

judy

ANSWER: Judy, Daisy looks adorable and how lucky for you she's been so healthy.

Many dogs have ongoing anal gland issues and your vet could teach you to express them yourself.

Now food...Purina is at the extreme bottom of the food chain and is just a totally substandard food.  I'd strongly suggest slowly switching her to a good canned food (and can provide a list) and adding (slowly, a bit at a time) some Metamucil.  Unflavored with No Sugar Added.

Start with 1/4 tsp. mixed into wet food twice a day.  Do that for a week and increase to 1/2 tsp.

It would be far better for her to eat more often than once a day and relieve the load on her digestive system.  3x a day is ideal but two meals is okay.

At her age I certainly wouldn't easily consider surgery.  Exercise also helps so I hope you'
re walking her at least an hour a day.

Where are you in Florida?  If, by any chance, you're in or near West Palm Beach I know a vet who's a genius at dealing with this.  There are new approaches and the last time one of my boys had an anal gland infection he cleaned it all out and then tiny "packs" were placed in the anal area that literally "washed" his anal glands with antibiotic every time he pooped.
Some vets are very up on new things - some are not.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I would appreciate a list of food for Daisy!  Glad to know about the metamucil--thought I was going to outsmart her tonight and gave her some chopped apple with her food.  Needless to say guessing which one of us was the smarter was no trouble when I found all the apple out on the floor!  Metamucil would be much easier.  I can certainly feed her more than once a day;we are retired and usually home all or a good portion of the day.

Did I fill out my form wrong as to where we live?  We live in NC, not FL.  We do have many summer residents from FL but we live here year round.  I think I will just suck it up and have the vet teach me  to do it.  I am not squeamish, just know that it is uncomfortable for her to have it done, however, she gets so upset at going to the vet it might be easier for all of us.  

Thank you so very much--looking forward to the list so I can get her started.  She is a love and such a healthy, smart pup.

Answer
Foods I recommend:
Innova Red Meat (large bites) - Orijen - Ziwi Peak - Sojo's Complete (A raw, dehydrated food - Blue Wilderness -

Remember you must buy Metamucil Unflavored - No sugar added.  Start slowly with 1/4 tsp put into wet food 2x a day.  Then 1/2 tsp.  (My own boys get 1 tbsp. mixed with water & put into their daily supply of homemade dog food).  Go slowly to get there.

It would also help if she drank more.  Make some homemade chicken broth (which has no fat, no sodium).  I can tell you how to do that.  Very easy.  Can be bagged & frozen.

If you decide to try the Sojo's Complete, don't all over at the price of an 8 lb. bag - it's dehydrated and makes 40 lbs. of food.  They say to use 1 cup food & 2 cups water.  I only use 1 1/2 cups water or it's too "soupy".

And mix the food up - she can have some kibble - some canned - some Sojo's and like us, need a variety of proteins.  Since you are around & it's not a problem, feed her 3x a day.
And do try more exercise - it's important on many levels.

And has she consistently had problems with constipation?