Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hope everyone is doing good. My 3 are doing great.

As many of you know, Kiko has always had a problem emptying her anal sac's on her own. So about once a month we have to take her in to get them expressed. That is fine and we dont have a problem doing that. We have been thinking about having them removed. Now after years of vet's suggesting it, we are being told it may not be a good idea. Put a side the normal risks with any surgery, we are being told that if the surgeon makes even the slightest mistake Kiko could have problems for the rest of her life. Problems like loosing muscle control, so she could be walking and then all of a sudden go without being able to hold it in and other such problems. So the question is what do we do? Do we continue to take her in to have them expressed or do we risk the surgery. We have gotten very good at seeing the signs when she needs to have them emptied.
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David owned by Kona, Kiko & Kaia

Dave it's always been my contention that dogs really do not need the anal sacs as they once may have hundreds of years ago. They were used as a defense mechanism and over time without any natural enemies they aren't being used as intended. They do serve a somewhat purpose to lubricate the anal canal during bowel movements but not having them shouldn't cause a concern. From what I read there could be a problem after surgery because of all the nerves located in that region and that could cause loss of bowel control but from my reading it's generally a temporary condition. I guess it would be what you are comfortable with and if your vet is confident they can successfully perform the surgery. You could also consult with the doctors at Cornell who would have the more specialized tools at their disposal for surgery or maybe even an idea for Kiko not to have this problem.
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Being one who never favors surgery or anesthesia, unless a true necessity, I'd say to leave things as they are. It's a fairly easy "fix" to have them expressed, and I would think not very expensive. We had a dog who had this problem, and it never cost much to have them expressed.

In my defense, that same dog passed away, from anesthesia, when about to have knee surgery, so I really am NOT a fan of anything involving anesthesia.
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

If you don't absolutely have to do surgery I wouldn't. . . It sounds like you have it under control.

The vet made it sound like the muscle damage could be permanant.
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David owned by Kona, Kiko & Kaia

David, I think you should run quickly away from any such ideas!
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy