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Anal Gland Issues and Diet

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • JazzysMomJ

    Caramel popcorn?

    My three of my dogs all go CRAZY for popcorn. We have it every Friday when the family watches movies, and we have the most violent fights between the Basenjis over it. Most of the time, since Keoki moved in, those two dogs have to go outside for a while so the kids can enjoy their movie/popcorn w/out dealing with the dogs. We always make sure there is a lot left for the dogs, though.

    For the record, none of the dogs ever show any bowel side effects from the popcorn gorge.

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  • JodieJ

    Thank you, thank you for everyone who posted a response to my problem with Lillie's poop. I tried feeding her smaller amounts…the poop really didn't change. But, thankfully, pumpkin did the trick! This is a win-win situation because Lillie absolutely loves pumpkin. Thanks again for everyone's help.
    Jodie:)
    PS I'm still feeding her small amounts but adding the pumpkin to her food.

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  • 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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  • M

    anal glands issue!

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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?
  • F

    Digestive issues

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  • B

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    D
    How old is your dog? I would take her to a specialty clinic or university clinic that would have both a neurologist and an orthopedist. My 1 year old deaf rescue girl who is a herding/spitz mix has shuffling feet, tremors, and other problems. She was seen first by the neurologist and they suggested x-rays and more testing. My regular vet did take x-rays of the neck, back and hips. I took her to an orthopedist to review the x-rays. Since she was a stray they do not know what caused the problem but it was suggested distemper or perhaps another infectious disease. I just took her to an opthalmologist and her eyes are good but she does have sensitivity to light. Distemper almost always causes eye problems. The specialists are suggesting an MRI of the back, neck and a spinal tap for her. If your dog was adopted as a puppy or an older pup, I would check with the Humane Society to see if she may have had distemper or some other disease. Did she have an accident where she might have injured her back or neck? You might want to look into getting a doggy wheelchair since she has good movement in her front legs. I am sorry for the problems your girl is having and I hope you find out what is causing it. Jennifer
  • SchouiffyS

    Overactive Anal Glands

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    bewlerB
    @Schouiffy: So this will need to be a daily imput of pumpkin or sweet potato ? I just use about one teaspoon of canned pumpkin every morning.
  • A

    Anal glands :(

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    BasenjimammaB
    I would give iot to them at both feeds and maybe start with a teaspoon, and if it doesn't seem to work great up the serving size to tablespoon. I think if I remember right, that it goes three teaspoons to 1 tablespoon, so if you want you could add a teaspoon until you are ath the tablespoon size..makes sense I hope
  • 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!