The anatomically correct name for the organs discussed in the article, Butt Scoot Boogie (WDJ October 2006), is anal sacs. This term was used in one paragraph but the rest of the article referenced anal glands. This is a common mistake people make when discussing these vestigial organs, so I thought I would bring it to your attention. I enjoyed the article every much and thought it was helpful with the exception of the nomenclature of the anal sacs.
Forrest H. Davis, DVMSalmon Brook Veterinary HospitalGranby, CT
Our six-year-old Chihuahua has suffered with overfull anal sacs since she was a puppy. She frequently scoots on the floor and seems to be in considerable discomfort; her sacs have to be expressed almost weekly. We read Butt Scoot Boogie and its suggestion of giving small amounts of dried apricots or prunes. We chose to start with ¼ dried apricot with her breakfast (she eats it like candy).
We have not had to have her anal sacs expressed once since starting this program on a daily basis, and EmmaRose has not been scooting over the floor. I spoke to her vet about it and he concurred if it works, that was wonderful, but mentioned he had not heard of this particular solution. Sometimes something like this becomes a big deal in households that are dealing with it everyday. We and especially EmmaRose thank you very much.
The Prestwoods and EmmaRoseVia e-mail
I read Butt Scoot Boogie in great anticipation of seeing my own solution to canine anal gland problems. But(t) nowhere did I read what has worked miracles for our Bearded Collie, Panda, who has been fed a completely raw diet for more than six years. I add two heaping tablespoons of raw flax seeds to her morning and evening meals. The flax seeds expand and produce fat and healthy stools. Before adding flax seeds I was taking Panda to our vet every two to three months for expression of the glands. I hope this helps others who are also feeding raw but are still having anal gland problems.
BarbaraBodega Bay, CA
This is concerning the photos in Dog Gone Dung, WDJ September 2006. Why did you use food to illustrate dog poop consistency? Isnt there another way of portraying it? You had a photo of Twix bars to show what healthy feces looks like. I like Twix bars. Now Ill never think of them in the same way again. I like WDJ because it is informative and resourceful, but that was a case of too much information.
Angeline RoselaniHonolulu, HI
Sorry! I couldnt think of anything else, and I was not going to take or publish photos of actual poop. My husband likes Twix, too, and had a similar response. More for me!
“Riding in Cars With Dogs (October) was good but Id like to add a tip. I have a neon pink envelope taped to the outside of my glove box with In Case Of Emergency on it. This has contact numbers (home, work, cell) for three of my friends, and emergency authorization for my dogs treatment if she is injured. If I am in an accident and am unconscious or cant speak, one of these people will come get my dog and care for her. I also have emergency information on myself, who to contact, my blood type, etc.
My Doberman always rides in a crate, since she is protective of me and her Suburban; also I dont want her to get lost in case of an accident, or to be hurt or shot so the paramedics can work on me.
Lisa JohnsonBoring, OR
I just finished Octobers issue and am delighted to have found you! Four years ago I would have never dreamed of having a dog, let alone two. My story is typical. Im over 40, and found out late in life the eggs I had been saving were not going to develop. A life-long cat person who used to wonder why dog people were so over the moon about their dogs. I mean, dogs are cute, but why did my friends all seem such slaves to them?
So I had this maternal thing I needed to work out. I had the good husband, we had a house, and some extra income. He had been a dog person . . . so I began to study. I read dog books for a year before deciding to go for it.
I researched breeds, I picked my dog: the cat-like Basenji. Never having had a dog before, I figured I wouldnt be disappointed by a hard to train dog. I met a breeder and we waited. In the meantime we helped her at dog shows, so we could pick her brain about our chosen breed.
Blah, blah, blah . . . I now have two dogs, we feed raw, I have six crates (car, home, and basement for tornados and to take into hotel rooms). Opus and Milo Bloom will be three years old this winter. Smitten hardly describes the joy these guys bring us.
I just got back from my first Association of Pet Dog Trainers conference and I am not even a trainer . . . yet! I hope to do some shelter work now that I have some dog experience under my belt. I found a mentor and am ready to dive in.
Im so glad I found WDJ. Its helped reassure and inform me with every issue. I knew I wasnt the only one who studied poop! Thanks for a wonderful publication.
Mari Dawson (and her backseat buckaroos)Via e-mail
Welcome! And kudos for doing everything right (reading, planning, taking your time getting the right dogs for you, etc.). Our guess? Youll be a great trainer!
