Fishy Smell

[weddpix2]

My little girl was sitting on my lap and I could smell this fishy smell coming from her butt. Does anyone know what this is? Is it her food? Anal gland? I do have the groomer express it! It has happened a few times and I have washed her butt to get rid of the smell.

[katelin]

Female dogs can have a little vaginal discharge that may smell. Is she coming into heat?

[QuickSilver]

I'm going to assume it's anal glands.

I must confess that I don't understand why dogs now have them expressed. If the dog is having some trouble with its bowel movements, why not just add some fiber to the diet?

Thor used to have his anal glands expressed, but I haven't done it since I've adopted him, and he's fine. No smell, and one big, fast poop at the same time every day.

[weddpix2]

She just got over her first heat. This is coming from her butt!

And Thank you to everyone in advance for your help.

[MyFairLacy]

It's her anal glands.

[weddpix2]

Thank you! So I should have her anal gland expressed more often? And she poops just fine. She eats fiber all the time.

[Erin]

Sammy smells like fish but it's because she rolls in worms and bird poop outside. She is definitely NOT a girly girl. It's a good thing she likes baths...

Sometimes they can get an infection of the anal glands, so if you think something funky is going on with them you might want to call the vet and ask if you should bring her in. Good luck!

[weddpix2]

Thank you! So I should have her anal gland expressed more often? And she poops just fine. She eats fiber all the time.

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

I'm going to assume it's anal glands.

I must confess that I don't understand why dogs now have them expressed. If the dog is having some trouble with its bowel movements, why not just add some fiber to the diet?

Thor used to have his anal glands expressed, but I haven't done it since I've adopted him, and he's fine. No smell, and one big, fast poop at the same time every day.

Mimi has anal gland issues...what kind of fiber do you add to Thor's diet? Much appreciated. The fishy smell is from anal glands...needs to be expressed. Mimi starts licking down there...that's when I know they need to be expressed. Yuk.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

I'm going to assume it's anal glands.

I must confess that I don't understand why dogs now have them expressed. If the dog is having some trouble with its bowel movements, why not just add some fiber to the diet?

Thor used to have his anal glands expressed, but I haven't done it since I've adopted him, and he's fine. No smell, and one big, fast poop at the same time every day.

Because groomers somehow decided that's what they should be donig I guess. I don't get why it is routine either. It shouldn't be. They should really only be expressed if there is a problem.

Adding fiber may work for some but for others it may not.
You can try adding fiber to the diet but some dogs will still need theirs expressed.

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by mimimomo

Mimi has anal gland issues...what kind of fiber do you add to Thor's diet? Much appreciated. The fishy smell is from anal glands...needs to be expressed. Mimi starts licking down there...that's when I know they need to be expressed. Yuk.

I would try giving Mimi a couple kidney beans. No more than one bean per pound of dog. Let me know if this helps for Mimi. I can claim to completely understand the ins and outs of anal glands, so to speak.

[weddpix2]

I must be missing something here!?! I am Confused about this. Kinsey has nothing wrong with her bowel movements. She goes 2-3 times a day. It is firm. I just don't understand why it has a fishy smell! Could someone please explain this to me? Kinsey eats fiber. Kidney beans also. If a hard stool is supposed to help this, why is fiber important? Doesn't fiber make stools softer? I am not trying to step on anyones toes, just trying to understand this.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by weddpix2

I must be missing something here!?! I am Confused about this. Kinsey has nothing wrong with her bowel movements. She goes 2-3 times a day. It is firm. I just don't understand why it has a fishy smell! Could someone please explain this to me? Kinsey eats fiber. Kidney beans also. If a hard stool is supposed to help this, why is fiber important? Doesn't fiber make stools softer? I am not trying to step on anyones toes, just trying to understand this.

Fiber can have either affect.
Since her stool is already firm it would probably be a waste of time to add more fiber. Some dogs have stool that is much too soft and the glands can't empty naturally.

If she is scooting, licking back there or you are smelling this a lot, then she will need them emptied often. Her vet can show you have to do it if you don't want to take her in every time.

[mimimomo]

Does the Kidney beans have to be cooked? Ummmm, probably, yes huh? Here's a good link about anal glands:Anal Sacs
My vet showed me how to do it, cuz Mimi's need emptying once every 3-4 weeks & her stool is firm too. I'm wondering if this is genetics...