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Bad breath and licking


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So.... River's breath smells like dead fish. Seriously, it's very very nasty. Her teeth are pretty clean though I don't brush them and she's been on one kind or another of premium dog food her whole life (not counting pre-8wks). I've only really noticed this recently - but it could have been this way for a while.

 

Lately over the past month or so I've noticed that River has needed to IMMEDIATELY chew at something in her back end region. She'll be dead asleep and just whip around and go for it. Due to her butt fur, I can't really see where exactly she's going for but she often makes that 'oh that feels good/I gotta get it' little moan while she does it (geez, I feel dirty just typing that). She's been spayed for a year now.

 

I'm wondering if it's anal glands - and if that's related to her bad breath. I've never had a dog with anal issues before, so I reallly don't know much about it other then what's been posted on this board in the past. Any thoughts?

 

And remember she had that gas issue a bit ago - would anal glands that need expressing cause super stink bombs (ie. it smells like she actually crapped in the house).

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I know that anal glands being expressed smells like a dog is taking a crap and can happen when a dog is under extreme stress (unless it's being done for them on purpose)... but I don't know much about impacted anal glands other than they are smelly cause scooting and licking... If the anal gland is impacted and not taken care of an abscess can form and rupture out through the skin. This is a painful, messy and pretty smelly condition often mistaken for rectal bleeding.

 

I'm not sure if your dog is scooting or not but the smell alone would probably be enough for me to take a visit to the vet 'just in case'. I remember when Clover was super stressed out once {long story} and expressed her anal glands all over our trainer ... whoa did that smell sooooooooo bad.

 

Maybe someone with more experience will be able to give better advice.

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Eeeew poor River.

 

I had a Yorkie that had anal gland problems, she had to have them flushed out at the vets.

 

Holly sometimes gets a fishy smell which i think is her anal gland. Once i have washed her bottom area though it goes off so i haven't been to concerned about it. It does really pong though!. She has a funny tummy and sometimes is a bit loose in her motions so i figure that might have something to do with it with her.

 

She doesn't actually show any signs of it bothering her though like the chewing that River is doing. Maybe Rivers are are impacted like my Yorkies were, she was more bothered by them and would have an itchy bottom. I would get them checked out as they did Tammy's under sedation and put antibiotics in there too.

 

The breath thing i don't remember my Yorkie having a problem with that with the anal gland though but i am know expert so maybe there is a connection.

 

 

 

 

Can't offer much help but i am sure you will get more advice on here though.

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Hmm... no scooting. ever.

 

 

Actually the more i think about it (it was many years ago now) with my Yorkie she didn't use to rub her bottom much either. It was more of a smell that we smelt and she did use to lick a bit so maybe that is what is wrong with River then.

 

Perhaps the breath thing is not actually connected at all, worth a vet trip i think then you can have the teeth looked at too. Just in case maybe River has some infection going on in there too.

 

Hope you get to the bottom of it soon, excuse the pun!!! :rolleyes:

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Guest WoobiesMom

Oh yes........ those symptoms are EXACTLY what Woobie did before we went to the vet and they said one of his glands was clogged. The smell you describe is exactly what he stunk of when they brought him out after saying they had cleaned him up. Rotten, stinky, dead fishy smell! The vet tech said that's normal smell for anal glands when they're expressed. Maybe she's managing to express them slightly with her biting at her bottom. I don't envy you, it's stinky stuff and not fun for the doggie. :rolleyes:

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Yup it's anal glands - Maggie tends to lick back there and then will have that lovely smell on her breath. WDJ had an article on anal gland issues a few months back and apparently prunes help - one once a day or something to that effect. I'm seriously contemplating it as a food change hasn't helped at all.

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Sounds like anal glands to me. Shonie's had to have her expressed, and would release a wonderful aroma when stressed.

 

A few months ago, I started all the dogs on a probiotic. Her anal glands are normal now, haven't had to express them in a long time. The brand I use is Jarrow, it's in the fridge at the health food store.

 

Ruth n the BC3

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AK Dog DR I know exactly what you mean! I work in the emergency room and when we all get together, the discussion can get pretty crazy. We have to really keep it down in public, people would think we were not only perverts, but sadistic monsters! lol

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