Do my dog's anal glands need to be expressed?

Sounds like it!! The fishy smell is typical. These scent glands should work as they are meant to with the passing of a normal stool. However occasionally things can go wrong and they become clogged (impacted) and often infected. Take her to your vet (not a groomer) so he can manually drain them and see what comes out - depending on that, he will either medicate, or not. A groomer will be able to empty them, but may not be qualified to identify whether there is a problem going on, or not. Don't have this done regularly - normally these glands shouldn't be touched as once drained manually there will be irritation back there until it all settles down again. They will refill as they are not meant to be empty.

I can empty these glands myself, although I do it externally, not from inside.

ps I have a hound who has been having problems back there despite having normal stools, so things can still go wrong even with good stools. I was told that he's big back there (all over actually!!) so is not as 'tight' as a smaller dog would be. Hence his glands maybe not working as well as they might.

If your puppies no longer scooting then she extra then likely would not have a difficulty. It all will depend on the dog how more often than not you have to do it. Some fill up quicker then others. Ordinarily the anal glands release there oily nasty smelling secretions into the stool so they don't refill however some puppies get impacted and need to manually be launched on occasion. If your dog is having issues take her to the vet who can show you tips on how to thoroughly categorical the glands yourself. You don't want to do it externally (some groomers do it this fashion) as this may reason disorders.

Rindawg, I think you've already identified the source of the problem - the fact that you've changed her food. It sounds like whatever you're feeding her just doesn't agree with her! No I don't think her anal glands need expressing - a dog with impacted anal glands will tear at its back end in an attempt to stop the itching. Your girl is (sorry about this!) farting!

My advice to you is quite simply this - either put her back on the food that she used to eat, if that's available again, or in the meantime feed her a little plain chicken (white meat only) and boiled long grain rice (that's bland and will sort out her immediate problem).

If your dog tend to get 'windy' and you can't go back to the original food that suited her, try to find a food that has white meat or fish and rice as its main ingredients.

I wish you a fart-free life!

I had my dog's anal glands done only yesterday. The dog doesn't find it painful when done properly by the vet. I was surprised by how much came from my dog and my vet said that I would not have been able to do it myself because they were fairly compacted.

Not an expensive procedure but it will not improve on it's own, so please take your doggy along.

Mine is back to normal today.

Take her to the vet to have the glands expressed internally. Groomers can only express the glands externally.

Don't attempt to do this yourself, you can cause damage.

I would be putting this dog back on her normal diet. The new food doesn't seem to suit her.

Absolutely. I do my dog's anal glands every two months. Some dogs can go for years without getting them done, as it is easy for some dogs to express their own glands.

Give them some paintbrushes and canvas, and let them express themselves!