Scooting in my shih tzu

Question
Hi there, I have a three month old male shih tzu. From the second day that he has been home i noticed that from time to time he has been scooting. Yesterday he had a very hard time going to the bathroom. Luckily we had a vet apointment that day. The vet is affiliated with the pet store that I bought him from. When i explained to the vet what was happening, he shaved him close around the bottom area. I also submitted a stool sample it turned out negative for worms. Ever since he has come back from the vet he has been scooting every chance that he can get. Why is he doing that? Should I take him  to a different Vet for a second opinion?

Answer
Hi Zulema,

Dogs have "anal glands" that produce a thick substance that is used to mark territory.
When the anal glands become full or impacted, the dog may experience some discomfort. The glands can become VERY itchy and irritated. Actual pain is difficult to assess, but some believe that they can be painful in some cases. When the dog licks, chews or scoots on its bottom, it is attempting to express the glands on its own.
Small breeds are more susceptible to anal gland problems. That's not to say your puppy is having a problem, it's just something that should have been addressed at your recent vet visit.  

Expressing your puppy's anal glands is something you can do either yourself at home, or contact your vet and let him or her do it, but it's not something that should not be ignored. Anal glands can become impacted, or infected, and that's painful for your dog, and more definitely requires vet treatment.
You can see a short video on how to express your dog's anal glands here:

http://www.expertvillage.com/videos/dog-grooming-basics-glands.htm

And read more about expressing anal glands here:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/anal_sacs.html

Adding some fiber to your puppy's diet can help reduce reoccurrence of anal gland problems. You don't want to over do it though, as too much fiber can cause diarrhea, One good way to add fiber to your puppy's diet without changing foods is to add low starch veggies like a baby carrot or two, or a small apple wedge (no seeds).

You also might consider switching to a higher quality food. If you change your puppy's diet, do so gradually, over a period of 5-7 days. Changing a dog or puppy's food too suddenly can cause an upset stomach, and diarrhea. You can read about how to select a better quality puppy food here:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Best-Puppy-Food?-6-Tips-To-Choosing-The-Best-Puppy-Foo...

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/view_choosing-a-good-kibble-dry-dog-food.htm

It's worth it to find a vet of your choosing now, while your dog is still a baby, and not rely on the vet that's associated with the pet store. Not expressing the anal glands (which is simple and routine given you told the vet your puppy is scooting) makes me wonder as to the quality of vet care you're currently receiving.

Best of luck,
Patti