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Anal Gland Issues and Diet

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • ChaseandZahrasmomC

    Poor DH, he was "marked" by each dog today and their anal gland secretion. Both times as they were cuddling with him on the chair watching tv. Two pair of pants in the wash, two blankets from the chair in the wash, two dogs banished from his lap.

    I am so at my wits end with this, this seems to be happening almost every week, there are dark spots on the sheets when they sleep with me, on the sheets covering the couch and chair and they have gotten both DH and I.

    I need to pick up some more canned pumpkin tomorrow and start mixing it into their food everyday. I am feeding them Innova EVO, I thought this was the best food to feed them.

    Has anyone tried the Metamucil? I am going to have to take both of these stinky butts to the vet this week and have their glands expressed.

    Grrrrrr … :mad:

    Jenn

    Chase and Zahra's Mom

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  • lvossL

    What are the stools like? Are the firm stools or soft? Not all dog foods agree with all dogs. I prefer grainless foods but there are now several on the market that you can try if EVO is not working for your dogs. Wellness has a grainless food, there is Origin, Instinct, and a new one by the makers of Timberwolf Organics but I can't think of the name of the food right now. For your dogs a food with some grain might be better like Merrick's, Wellness, or California Natural. There are several high quality foods that I would consider fairly equivalent in the quality of their ingredients but some may work better for some dogs.

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  • ChaseandZahrasmomC

    Zahra's stool seems to be nice round solid poo, same for Chase just bigger size poo.

    I feel bad for them because I am sure it probably doesn't feel good if they are impacted by they are not scooting. They only lick after the have excreted it on DH. :(

    Do you think because I am feeding EVO that might be the problem since it is grainless?

    I thought I picked them out the best food.

    Jenn

    Chase and Zahra's Mom

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  • tanzaT

    @ChaseandZahrasmom:

    Zahra's stool seems to be nice round solid poo, same for Chase just bigger size poo.

    I feel bad for them because I am sure it probably doesn't feel good if they are impacted by they are not scooting. They only lick after the have excreted it on DH. :(

    Do you think because I am feeding EVO that might be the problem since it is grainless?

    I thought I picked them out the best food.

    I doubt it… remember grain is really not a nature part of a dogs diet.... and you may just need to learn how to express the glands yourself... I do it for mine... and while not pleasant.. it is not a big deal...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • wizardW

    My vet recommended the pumpkin (which seemed to work because the problem eventually went away :) ) or sweet potatoes. He also likes to eat cooked rutabagas (I found that out be accident when I spilled some on the floor at dinner one day). He doesn't touch fruits or raw carrots however. I read someplace that cooked oatmeal can work but I don't know if that's true or not and can't remember where I read that.

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  • MantisM

    I use Innova Evo small bites (not the red meat version) and mix it with the Natural Balance Sweet Potatoe and Fish and Caesar's anal glands are better. I was getting them expressed every month and now he seems to need it every 3 months.

    Caesar and Cairo….the boys

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  • wrx227wrcW

    We have been feeding nutro natural choice in the green bag and no rawhide treats ever, and she has been doing much better. Rarely does she have problems at all!

    Jordan and Piggy

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  • VanessaV

    Ahhh the famous "stink stamp"
    Man oah man what a smell and such a mess. Sometimes I wish their tails did not curl up…that way it would cover the back end and my furniture wouldn't stink :/
    The worst is when you sit right on the ick and you don't even know it...after a while you get up and start walking around and you smell it but can't figure out where its coming from...hahahaha that drives me crazy!!!!!

    Basenji Forums Staff

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  • mauigirlM

    I've noticed that Zip was much more excited about the pumpkin in the beginning. I don't usually mix it in (not sure why? hmm). So it's avoidable and she often leaves it in her bowl. Now, ground flax seed on the other hand goes practically unnoticed and mixes in quite well with her innova kibble and tbsp of canned evo. And I don't think it has much taste. So another sneaky way to up the fiber. I recommend it.

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  • lauralopezL

    Nicki, how much ground flax seed do you put in their food? I never heard about using that and often we have that problem with Savannah. I noticed that if she doesn't poop at least twice a day, we can expect a little stinky butt. As precaution if she only gets walked once a day, we now automatically bring out her "stinky" towel and put it on the bed and one on the sofa where she sits with us.

    I'd like to try the ground flax seed. Please let me know. Thanks.

    Laura, Basenji Mom to Talker & Savannah

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  • nomrbddgsN

    The only thing I would caution in using the flax seed is that it is a grain. I know my allergic-to-everything-Boxenji has a problem with it. Almost all dog food has it in. I have to minimize the amount. You should also be able to find ground flax seed in the health food store.

    Arlene, the Basenji Brats with the Boxenji![](images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin")

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  • mauigirlM

    Laura,

    I probably put in at least a tablespoon. I don't really measure it .I just stick my hand in the bag grab some with all my fingers and sprinkle it in her bowl and then mix it in. It's much more than I can pinch between 2 fingertips, but not a handful or anything. I try not to put so much that it won't all stick to the canned food. Otherwise it just ends up on the bottom of her bowl. I hope that helps!

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  • lauralopezL

    Thanks. I'll give it a try to see if it helps. My dogs don't like pumpkin and will just lick it and eat around it. They do like yams with whip cream but I haven't been able to find it in a can. I'll give the flax seed a try. Thanks!

    Laura, Basenji Mom to Talker & Savannah

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  • wrx227wrcW

    We have also used fish oil (1/2 gel cap 2x/wk) and flax seed oil in the same dosing. I don't know if it has made a difference with the anal issue but it sure helps her coat and skin! Totally worth the money and effort.

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  • KayGK

    Food recommendations for anal gland issues

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    ZandeZ
    @kayg said in Food recommendations for anal gland issues: I’m going to eliminate lunch starting today and see how he does. I forgot to stress, when you eliminate lunch, don't just spread the same amount of food over two meals instead of three. Cut back. I need to weigh Mku who will be 6 months old on Friday, but I am sure he is nowhere near 20 lbs. He is sleek and svelte and a perfect weight at the moment for his age. Lovely shape LOL. And at risk of becoming boring, I say again, no actual treats do mine get. I measure the daily amount of kibble each morning into a container and from that container I take some with us on walks (to encourage recall) and I dip into it as a reward for particular good behaviour. Hoover and Mku think they are getting a treat, but it is not 'extra' - it comes out of their daily ration ! And I agree with DonC - what exactly started you worrying about his stools ?
  • R

    Eating Issues

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    DebraDownSouthD
    The FDA can only do what the laws allow and if the govt is controlled by lobbyist, well.... But this isn't the place for politics so I'll leave it at that. I am very sorry about your horse. :( With meat.. it's particularly red meat that research is linking to cancer... early research shows amount is a big factor (recommendations from 4 oz a day to max 18 oz a week), but who knows. Processed meat is the worse, and I saw some headline (didn't bother to read since I like my beef shortly after it stops mooing) that well done steaks more carcinogenic. For the world, reducing red meat is good for the environment and health. I was reading a study last week on red meat and joint inflammation. Studies the last 15 years actually only have general connection, but that most do is a pretty good indicator. I had a doctor tell me to stop all red meat and milk when I was a teen and experiencing joint pain. It helped, but back then, no internet and not much access to current research. Here we are 45+ years later, and still no strong proof and some show that reducing carbs with increased LEAN red meat actually decreased inflammation. However, we then get this Science Catch-up. Red Meat And Gut Inflammation: Harvard Study ... https://thehealthsciencesacademy.org/science-catch-up/science-catch-up-28/ Jan 18, 2017 - Red meat and gut inflammation: Harvard study. According this new Harvard study involving 46,500 participants, eating high amounts of red meat daily might be a risk factor for gut inflammation and the development of diverticulitis. << So no one has absolute proof, but my money is on reducing red meat is more likely to be healthier than not. I just don't rule out all meat (ie fish and fowl) as getting enough protein is pretty hard and we don't have enough hard research for ME to go vegetarian. But I'm open to it and glad you are having success.
  • M

    anal glands issue!

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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    DebraDownSouthD
    Okay... nothing wrong with her died or getting your food. You can keep her as she is, just add in fiber. And perhaps stool softeners for a bit. I actually gave my basenji liquid dissolvable fiber regularly because she would refuse to potty if it rained and ended up with anal gland rupture. But you can add in green beans, ground carrots or other veggies, even fibrous treats. However, I can't say enough negative about rawhide. Please throw them away. Although it has been almost 35 years, I am still distressed when I remember watching a dog choke to death on one, with 4 adults trying to hold the dog down to get it out of its mouth, the kennel owner getting chewed up horribly in the process, the terrible death. Saved from old post: Pet Health Info FROM: Seaside Animal Care was recently awarded the 1999 National Practice of Excellence Award (click here for details) from Veterinary Medical Publishing and an educational grant from Pfizer. We are one of just over 50 practices ever to receive this honor! WE DO NOT RECOMMEND GIVING YOUR PETS RAWHIDE CHEWS. They expand when wet and are the number one cause of intestinal obstruction at our hospital. They are poorly effective at "cleaning the teeth". Instead, we recommend chew-safe toys such as Nylabone® and Kong® products. Contact the hospital for additional information when selecting safe chew-toys for your loved one.<< While I find it LUDICROUS that they first state they are harmless then say they have seen it ALL, this does indeed support that they are not uncommon as you indicate: 2. From the AAHA: American Animal Hospital Association Miscellaneous Pet Care: Are raw hide chews safe? Answer Rawhide chews are pretty harmless. The problems come when they swallow them whole. They either choke on them, or the rawhide balls up in the stomach and causes gastritis or blockage. We've seen it all. Moderation is the key. One every once in a while is OK, but they shouldn't be included as a regular toy or part of the diet. In addition it's usually best to supervise or at least be nearby when your pet is chewing on any toy. << Diet - Treats and Snacks It is interesting to me that a number of veterinarians I have spoken with do say that they have seen problems associated with these toys. Their experience differs from mine. I practice in a rural area and sometimes I think that I just don't have enough patients to see all the problems that vets who practice in more crowded areas do. << OMG, they sell it yet their vets admit it is dangerous!!! Acme Pet - Pet Health Questions Ask Acme Pet'sExperts Q. I have a one year old mix JRT, she is a great dog. But the problem I have with her is that, whenever I give her a chewy like those basted sticks. I have to watch her because she will make it all soft, not bite a piece and eat it. She makes it soft and swallows half while she is still chewing the other end. She has almost choked on me twice. This happens with the square chewees too. A. I would suggest you not give them to her anymore. Many dogs die of intestinal obstruction each year due to rawhide. Find something else, which is safer, to give her.<< petcare Okay, this is a petstore, not a vet but thought their concern worth noting! In addition, we don't carry rawhide chews in order to assure the safest play experience for your pet. Rawhide chews, when gobbled or eaten in large quantities, can cause choking or possible obstruction in dogs. << vet@dog - Holidays - Chocolate and other dangerous goodies FROM: Dr. Lucy L. Pinkston, D.V.M. Rawhide chews can lodge in the throat and cause choking, or a large piece may be swallowed, scraping and irritating the throat and esophagus on the way down. Once in the stomach or intestinal tract, a large piece of rawhide can also create a physical obstruction. An additional danger that is less widely known is the practice, in some countries, of using an arsenic-based preservative in the processing of rawhide toys. We recommend that, if you do purchase these products, stick to brands processed in the U.S. There has also been a recent FDA alert about the risk of Salmonella associated with dog chew products made from pork or beef-derived materials: refer to the FDA advisory or call 1-888-INFO-FDA. See below (discussion on pigs' ears) for more details.<< I could go on, but the bottom line is, if it is SOMETIMES, even rarely, dangerous, and it isn't NECESSARY, why do it?
  • H

    Issue?

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    P
    This could possibly be a minor epileptic attack. I have seen a video of many forms of these attacks (no basenjis) many of them very different and this was an example. A canine neurologist could confirm.
  • BenkuraB

    Should I change his diet?

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    tanzaT
    No need to change the diet… unless you want to.... if he is doing well on what you are giving him, I would continue with that.
  • ChaseandZahrasmomC

    Full Anal Glands?

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    khanisK
    I know of breeders that would express anal glands EVERY time they bathes dogs for shows… this was when they showed regularly. I found it to be the most disgusting thing ever. I have read and been told that doing it regularly makes it so they will need to have it done more often or issues will arise. No thanks... I have NO PROBLEMS opening up a new wing at the vets for this!