Has anyone had problems with their cotons anal gland?

My Coton has had issues with her anal gland since she's a puppy she was always licking there constantly we took her to the vet he gave me cream to put there and also said to give her benedyral because it could be allergies she also licked her paws constantly too where she bit and licked so bad she got an infection and had to have surgery to drain the infection and to make sure it wasn't foxtail.


She's 4yrs old now and when I took her to the vet for her annual checkup I told him she still licks there if he could please check again. He personally expressed her anal gland and found she has a very small pinhole and her glands get swollen and he said he had to line & express it carefully she was full and he said bring her back in 10days to check it which I did and she was full again and one of the glands was still swollen now I have to bring her back in two weeks to get her anal glands expressed and see if the swelling went down I guess if the glands are swollen its hard to express I don't know for sure. I have an appointment next week & hopefully she'll be ok.

The vet also said this was why when she was groomed they didn't express the glands properly and I would have to bring her in to the vet to have them express her anal glands. My poor little girl seems to be in agony constantly licking I feel so bad for her. I think taking her to vet every 2weeks is going to be costly but if I have to I will. I am wondering about surgery having these glands removed is this possible Has anyone have this problem with their coton? Please if anyone can offer suggestions it would be appreciated.
Suzan
Mesquite NV

Comments for Has anyone had problems with their cotons anal gland?

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Jan 05, 2024
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starstarstarstarstar 		Anal glands infected NEW
by: Anonymous

My Coton is 13 and never had an issue with his anal glands, the groomer was extracting every 2-3 months and vet visits were maybe 6-12 months, until the last 2 months, when they got infected. Since then they fill up every 2 weeks and he starts licking severely. He was on antibiotics for 1 month, the vet said if that doesn’t take care of the infection he would have to get inside and scrape them clean. But never mentioned removing them, I didn’t even think to ask, didnt know that was a possibility, probably not for my 13 year old. The vet sold me a product called glandex but my dog is very picky will not eat them, i hide it in his food but don’t know how much he gets of it. So it hasn’t worked for him. I’m open to any other advice, yes i was lucky all these years he didnt’ have problems just now at his old age. I’m willing to dry the drops the vet bone recommended, anyone else used them? Those would get in his food more complete.
Apr 15, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		We have a Coton who's one anal gland ruptured last week. NEW
by: Robert

Our Coton, Esme', ruptured one of her anal glands last week. She's only 1 but almost 2 years old. We had two Cotons before Esme, both lived to be 17 years old and we never had any gland problems.

We sick that our little girl had this happen, now we're told that we will need to come to the Vet every two weeks indefinitely to have her glands expressed. Does that make sense to anyone out there that has had this problem?

What concerns me most is that I've see several UTube videos that speak against ever expressing a dogs anal glands. That the act of doing this can cause tissue trauma and actually weaken the gland to the point of it no longer operating without manual manipulation.

This is new territory for us so you advice or suggestions are welcome
Mar 28, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thank you all on your suggestions! NEW
by: Suzan Mesquite NV

I appreciate everyone's response it was very helpful I bring Cotton back to the vet tomorrow for her glands to be checked hopefully the swelling went down I will keep u posted. I am going to ask the vet about that powder supplement someone uses on their coton who has problems too. I also when online under a website called petalive.com they sell a product called anal glandz it has all natural ingridents it helps expressing the glands and relieves the swelling and eventually will help the glands empty. I am going to check with the vet on this product. Has anyone heard of this? It had very good reviews from those who used it on their pets. Again thank you all.
Suzan
Mar 23, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Removal of anal glands NEW
by: Barb, Albuquerque

It seems that every dog that I have owned has had trouble with anal glands. My current coton has had problems. My vet has recommended removal of the glands. The schanuzer that I had, had both glands impacted. I know that if I continue to have problems with the current dog that I am going to have them removed.
Mar 23, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Removl NEW
by: Anonymous

Yes, the glands can be removed. Smaller dogs have this problem. Me vet has recommended removing them.
Mar 23, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		not a problem NEW
by: Iris Miller

Tuffy is five years old and I was told very early on by a Vet, never to let a groomer express the anal glands, (which happened a couple of times, even though I told them no to! Afterward, Tuffy was miserable for days!) especially this breed, it is not necessary, and if it became an issue, always bring him to the Vet. Thank goodness, he's okay. I am also grooming him myself because, like some hairdressers, no matter what you tell them, they do what they want to. I know the products they use have fragrances and are drying and caused a problem and stress for my dog.
I am wondering if your Vet did a stool check for parasites and worms? Do you also check your dog regularly for ticks? I know Tuffy was bothered by a tick a couple of times, he came and showed me it was on top of his head,Another time, I was not aware of it and it was a Lyme tick, he got very sick. Just saying, it is the season.
Good luck, I hope your dog feels better.
Mar 23, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		anal glands NEW
by: Anonymous

Hi I am a vet tech and own a coton who used to have trouble with his anal glands also. They actually abscessed once and I felt terrible when it happened.

Yes they can be removed and since she is so young you might want to ask your vet about it. Its not a pretty recovery- anal leakage, pain- but once she is healed you will never have to worry about them again.

I have found a solution to my Coton's issue and its a powder designed for anal gland issues. Its called Arabinoglactan. I'm at NO WAY promoting a product but Jovi has been on it for 2 years now and even though i still have to express them about every 2-3 months, not every 2 weeks, it has helped. They are not as full and he is much happier. I don't know if your vet sells it but its worth it and we can't keep on the shelf at my vet's office!

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