Dog frequently smells of fish

[AliCat]

I have a one year old border collie beagle mix who seems to omit a fish odor a few times per week. I realize it’s something to do with anal glands… My question is how to try to manage it?

He makes regular bowel movements, twice per day, they are actually rather firm. Maybe that has something to do with it?

As soon as it starts to smell, he goes to lick and I think that actually ends up spreading it around more on bedding.

When I took him to the vet and mentioned it during a regular visit, they said it was normal and nothing was to be done. I’ve never had a dog that smells like this, and it makes my SO cranky. Help!

[S1969]

Did the vet examine his anal glands? I mean, sure, anal glands are normal, but most dogs do not need to lick them to help release and/or have them just leak…that’s not normal.

It could be incomplete emptying of the glands. I would try bulking up his stool a little to see if you can help express the fully with each bowel movement. Most people use either plain, canned pumpkin or something like rice bran - a teaspoon or so per meal.

I would get on this quickly - it is probably uncomfortable, and can get impacted/infected. Then you have another whole problem to deal with.

[TCA_Arabians]

The stools are firm. If they’re too firm and dry - try a tablespoon of mineral oil in his dinner. If he’s straining to eliminate his bowel movement he may not have enough water in his system. The vet didn’t examine his anal glands after your brought it to his/her attention??? My poor DIL had the experience of an impacted anal gland bursting - all over the front of her. Major ewwww!

Is it is breath that smells or his body that’s emitting the fish smell? I’ve never that experience and we’re talking a lot of dogs over my lifetime. Don’t suppose you also have a cat and your pup is a bit sneakier than you realize?

[Equibrit]

All you probably care to know on the subject;
https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/anal-glands-what-to-do-when-they-are-a-problem

[AliCat]

@TCA Arabians

The stools are firm. If they’re too firm and dry - try a tablespoon of mineral oil in his dinner. If he’s straining to eliminate his bowel movement he may not have enough water in his system. The vet didn’t examine his anal glands after your brought it to his/her attention??? My poor DIL had the experience of an impacted anal gland bursting - all over the front of her. Major ewwww!

Is it is breath that smells or his body that’s emitting the fish smell? I’ve never that experience and we’re talking a lot of dogs over my lifetime. Don’t suppose you also have a cat and your pup is a bit sneakier than you realize?

He just turned 1, I got him when he was 10 months.

When we were at the vet and I mentioned it, they wrote it off as normal (but I had only had him a couple of days at that point). They said the glands didn’t feel full and it was his body doing what it’s supposed to. It’s not constant but does happen a couple of times per week now. It is not his breath, I had them release all over my trophy hunters when he got nervous while on my lap.

His stool is very dry, there is no give to it at all when you pick it up. Maybe that’s part of it?

Our other dog (also just turned one) has IBD (he has the opposite problem) and we are going to the vet on Monday to discuss a prescription diet. Both have been eating From large breed puppy (which we are about to start weaning off of).

I plan to discuss the border beagle bowels at appointment tomorrow, I just figured I’d see if anyone has any ideas here.

[AliCat]

@Equibrit

All you probably care to know on the subject;
https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/anal-glands-what-to-do-when-they-are-a-problem

Thanks for that.

It’s worth noting that he doesn’t scoot (ever) and only starts licking after the smell is present.

I don’t think he drinks nearly enough water and I think that has something to do with the dry stool.

[Sugarwells]

Do you feed kibble? If so, I would soak it with water and feed then feed it. Works well for my dogs.

[Bartleby]

Many dogs release their anal glands when nervous, BCs can be prone to nervousness/anxiety. I also had a Frenchie who was just a…squirter. He never had an impaction or any complication with them, just when he relaxed they would release. Which was really unfortunate because his favorite way to relax was laying with butt up against my thigh. :ambivalence: So if everything checks out veterinary wise and he’s having bowel movements that have enough bulk and firmness to naturally express them, you might just have one like my Monty.

[Houndhill]

I’ve never thought dog anal gland secretions smelled fishy. Not sure how I would describe it- more skunky?
Kind of a class by itself!

[Cheesy_Pouf]

New here, 14 mos and 22 vet visits worth of anal gland knowledge though. And perianal Fistulas for flavor.

Yeah, this definitely sounds like an anal gland issue. Here’s where I ask sort of an intimate question, when bathing your dog, does his bum feel sort of pokey or as though it’s pushing out, instead of in? This was one of my dog’s early warning signs her anal glands had filled up again.

What is his weight and body condition like? Tuck at the back legs and defined waist or sausage dog?

I’ve come to know smaller breeds, overweight and senior dogs are the ones to have these troubles. My dog didn’t have any of the above mentioned issues, and we’re just rounding the corner of our first vet free 12 weeks from anal sacculectomy. My dog is only 4, like I said, here we are… Point blank, ask your vet to express his anal glands and see if the smell goes away (after what I’ve been through of late, I’d suggest looking for another vet too).

[AliCat]

I waited a bit to go to the vet, just so I could see if there was any improvement as he transitioned to adult food.

His body condition is excellent, the vet commented on how lean and shiny he was.

That said, she said his anal glands were very full (and stunk badly). He has to go back for follow up in a few weeks. This may be an ongoing maintenance item for him. Good thing he is insured!

[S1969]

@AliCat

I waited a bit to go to the vet, just so I could see if there was any improvement as he transitioned to adult food.

His body condition is excellent, the vet commented on how lean and shiny he was.

That said, she said his anal glands were very full (and stunk badly). He has to go back for follow up in a few weeks. This may be an ongoing maintenance item for him. Good thing he is insured!

Have you added fiber to his diet? (Pumpkin or bran?) Curious if it helped or did not not help enough.

[AliCat]

@S1969

Have you added fiber to his diet? (Pumpkin or bran?) Curious if it helped or did not not help enough.

He is a bit of a picky eater so when I add things to his food, he won’t touch it (or eat a single kibble, refused to eat for 3 days before I caved). Our other dog gets it with every meal.

I was hoping the adult foods might bulk his stool up a bit more and help, but no luck.

[S1969]

@AliCat

He is a bit of a picky eater so when I add things to his food, he won’t touch it (or eat a single kibble, refused to eat for 3 days before I caved). Our other dog gets it with every meal.

I was hoping the adult foods might bulk his stool up a bit more and help, but no luck.

What have you tried? My dogs like pumpkin, weirdly, a lot. But they rejected green beans completely in their food (would eat them if fed by hand).

When my now deceased dog had anal gland issues, I mixed about 1 tsp of rice bran and 1 tsp of canned dog food into his kibble and it worked very well. He had two anal gland infections that required several weeks of infusing with antibiotics - once before we started adding bran, and once when we ran out. He was older than your dog, but it was amazing how such a small change in diet made a huge difference.

[AliCat]

@S1969

What have you tried? My dogs like pumpkin, weirdly, a lot. But they rejected green beans completely in their food (would eat them if fed by hand).

When my now deceased dog had anal gland issues, I mixed about 1 tsp of rice bran and 1 tsp of canned dog food into his kibble and it worked very well. He had two anal gland infections that required several weeks of infusing with antibiotics - once before we started adding bran, and once when we ran out. He was older than your dog, but it was amazing how such a small change in diet made a huge difference.

Metamucil. Vet recommended.

​​​​​​The doberman does well with Metamucil, and didn’t care for the pumpkin so I never tried it with my border beagle. I’ll grab a can tomorrow.