Dog scooting

Increasing fibre is is a good idea - my previous vet told me to add Weetabix to the morning feed (despite previous comments about the high sugar content). Like humans, the diet has to be balanced. The scooting and difficulty evacuating bowels has decreased since. Not perfect but much better.

Also, many years ago, another vet told me to go back to good old Chappie and Winalot and forget these "modern" kibbles with all sorts of additives. I wonder if he was right? Why are so many dogs getting cancer these days?

Just curious................

As his anal glands are usually clear, I don’t understand why removal was suggested.
His current diet, as described by you, is not imo giving him enough fibre. My dogs have very expensive kibble using very few high quality ingredients. They share an apple, enjoy a raw carrot as a treat and like crunching raw brocilli or cauliflower stalks.
Once or twice a week they have a raw marrow bone. This cleans their teeth and helps on the poo front.
So I;d try to increase the fibre in your dogs diet. My (excellent) vet advised against weetabix because of its sugar content. I bought a product you add to food as my spaniel is an occasional scooter. It loosened the poo too much so I stick with natural aids
By the way - I’m with roasiesmaw, my two are flea and worm treated. Again, my vet said she uses the same product I buy from them on her dogs and cats. She said they tend to see dogs with bad infestations which make them ill so prevention better. It’s obviously a personal choice

It sounds like you're going through a lot with your cockercavapoopoo. Scooting can be frustrating, but since his anal glands are usually clear, you might want to explore other causes, such as allergies or dietary intolerances. Although a removal is an option, it comes with risks and should be considered carefully. Have you tried adding fiber to his diet? Sometimes, more fiber can help with digestive issues and reduce scooting. Pumpkin or dog-safe fiber supplements might be worth a try. Additionally, consulting with a dog nutritionist might provide some new insights or alternatives.

My daughter has whippets and she has to go to the vets to have their anal glands expressed .
I'm just glad I haven't got a breed that needs this .

OP. Have you looked at your dogs bottom ? Does it look red or sore ? Sounds like he needs some roughage in his diet .

Our cocker used to do that. Since she’s had a raw carrot a day that hasn’t happened. Probably helps to keep things clear as you can see the pieces in her fæces.

I boost the roughage in my dog's diet by adding pumpkin to her meals. I use pumpkin powder mixed to a paste. This firms up her stools and helps to clear her anal glands. Any sign of loss of appetite tells me her glands likely need expressing. I check them every month and they usually need expressing at 3 months.. Worming meds from vet every 6 months and flea prevention every month.

RosieandherMaw

^All dogs will carry worms. When you use a worming product it does not eradicate all worms, but reduces the worm burden, preventing worms from taking over^

Oh dear nanato3, did you miss that bit?

No I didn't miss anything . [Smile]
You do things your way and I'll do mine . There's no right or wrong way . I've had dogs all my life and have and still do have healthy dogs who have rarely needed a vet .

All dogs will carry worms. When you use a worming product it does not eradicate all worms, but reduces the worm burden, preventing worms from taking over

Oh dear nanato3, did you miss that bit?

I don't have dogs at the moment,but I normally keep three or four .
I've had various breeds .

If your dog doesn't have worms and they need worming regularly then it could be an intolerance to dog food .
I've fed mine on freshly cooked food and made sure that they have roughage.
Each time I've groomed them I've expressed their anal glands .
A friend ,who is a vet taught me how to do it.
Mine have never protested because they've always been used to being handled - if they did I'd muzzle them then give them treats
and praise afterwards .
They have never scooted.
Sometimes there's neurological reasons as to why they do it .
If a vet suggested removing your dog's anal glands I'd go for that option to stop your dog suffering and to save your carpets !

If not worms, it could just be an allergy. There is a type of food called hydrolysed protein that remedies itchiness. If not that, first try allergy med prescribed by vet. If anal glands have been done, GO TO A DIFFERENT VET.

RosieandherMaw

^I don't believe in constant worming and flea treatments unless the dog has fleas or worms^
You don’t wait until a dog has fleas or worms, ideally dogs need to be given flea protection every month and protection from worms every three months.
All dogs will carry worms. When you use a worming product it does not eradicate all worms, but reduces the worm burden, preventing worms from taking over. Regular worming treatment is essential for your pet's overall health.
All the more so since certain worms are capable of being transmitted from animals to humans. Such worms are said to have a 'zoonotic potential'. The dog roundworm, Toxocara canis is the best known of these and human infection may occur if a person swallows the microscopic worm eggs, having picked them up from contaminated soil, with small children being at the greatest risk.

And yes, worms can give your dog a itchy bottom, anybody who has contributed to the “Anal problems” thread will sympathise!

I aways finish the course of wormer for my puppies but never use a wormer again . None of my dogs have ever had worms in their lifetime. Pregnant bitches will need worming .
Why would you constantly give a dog a medicine to prevent something ? It's like a human taking a paracetamol incase
we get an headache . All my dogs have lived long healthy lives .. Wormer and flea treatments used at the right time are fine but I don't treat what they haven't got .

I don't believe in constant worming and flea treatments unless the dog has fleas or worms
You don’t wait until a dog has fleas or worms, ideally dogs need to be given flea protection every month and protection from worms every three months.
All dogs will carry worms. When you use a worming product it does not eradicate all worms, but reduces the worm burden, preventing worms from taking over. Regular worming treatment is essential for your pet's overall health.
All the more so since certain worms are capable of being transmitted from animals to humans. Such worms are said to have a 'zoonotic potential'. The dog roundworm, Toxocara canis is the best known of these and human infection may occur if a person swallows the microscopic worm eggs, having picked them up from contaminated soil, with small children being at the greatest risk.

And yes, worms can give your dog a itchy bottom, anybody who has contributed to the “Anal problems” thread will sympathise!

I was told it was itchiness usually caused by worms. 🪱

Allira

Nanato3

Could be an allergy making him itch or have you checked to see if he has worms ?

Yes, this.

I wondered if it is worms causing itching, but surely the vet should have checked this?

Check his poo straight after he's been . You can see worms moving or small white eggs .
His he always hungry ? That a sign of worms .
It could be an allergy to his food . Or he might just be in the habit of scooting .

I wouldn't have his anal glands removed, it might not solve
the problem . Has he been wormed recently ?
I don't believe in constant worming and flea treatments unless the dog has fleas or worms . Can you get a second opinion with a different vet at the practice, sounds like this one is clutching at straws .

As the dog’s anal glands are generally clear, I wonder if it’s simply a habit that the dog knows will get a reaction and some sort of attention? Does he stop if he’s ignored?
They are crafty creatures, dogs.

It's much more often anal glands than worms, & a vet would have to take a faeces sample to check if they'd got worms at that time, so they're more likely just to give you a broad-spectrum wormer to be sure it's not this.
If his anal glands are clear most the time, seems a bit drastic to remove them?? & you're going to have to stop him scooting while the incisions heal.
Mine doesn't scoot much, & he loves sniffing & we think he does it when he's got nothing else interesting to smell - drags them sniffs. Disgusting!

Most dogs are wormed regularly along with flea treatment.
I can't believe you have neglected this?

Nanato3

Could be an allergy making him itch or have you checked to see if he has worms ?

Yes, this.

I wondered if it is worms causing itching, but surely the vet should have checked this?

Could be an allergy making him itch or have you checked to see if he has worms ?

My greyhound can’t scoot - her legs are so long her bottom doesn’t reach the ground when she sits (!) but she did have to have her anal glands cleared a year or so ago. Because we are on a regular Pet Club plan at our vets which covers boosters, warming and flea treatments and 6 monthly health checks, they offered to nominally include this in one of these health checks, so no charge!
However, reading up it can reflect a shortage of roughage in the dog’s diet (and the diet you describe would bear that out) , so maybe crumble up a Weetabix a day over your dogs food.
Otherwise, reconcile yourself to regular anal gland clearing.

A dog is a fairly hardy thing? I don't understand this stuff tbh.

Sorry, no advice here either. Our old dog used to scoot if she ate chicken so it was probably an allergy. She'd scoot on anything - even gravel!

My daughter has 2 cockapoo dogs, they have a delicate tummy . They eat Butcher's grain free , simply gentle wet adult dog food .

I can't offer advice but I can sympathise, my old dog used to scoot everything we stopped to chat to anyone!!!