Possible anal sac removal

Our doodle has some anal gland issues. She doesn't like and doesn't seem to be in pain but we have had foul odor problems. Our groomer expresses them when she is groomed (about every 6 weeks) but we still have the smell issue from time to time. We have been feeding her some canned pumpkin once a day and that seems to help somewhat. Should we try changing her food? We feed both of our dogs Wellness food and that is the only food they have ever had.

Okay, I've spoken too soon. Darcy just had a repeat episode of anal gland impaction. I saw her scoot just once and the next day spotted a folf ball size swelling. Took her to vet emergency and the Dr lanced it, put some medicine eiyh s dytinge in it with a syringe and sent her home with ten days worth of yellow pills,and a tube of Animax. I rhink he said the pills were a combination of steroid and antibiotic This vet is not one I would want to do other than emergency surgery, just a feeling. In our area, he's the only one available nights and weekends.

So we maybe looking at surgery in the near future but I need to know more about the situation. Different vets have stated that Darcy makes a paste in that gland, not the usual oily substance. I have never detected that odor on her. Is that kind of dog more prone to impactions? Would we be better off having a groomer drain the glands as some of our friends do with their dogs? Darcy's nine and I would prefer to avoid surgery unless it is inevitable?. I guess my question would be, How do you know it's inevitable. Last vet before this one said to only give dry kibble and that actually seems to help make firmer movements This is about her third episode in a year, treatmnt differently by different vets. She's our last dog so we want her to last awhile, but don't want her to be incontinent if that's a posibility. So: Groomer doing routine maintenance or wait? and go to vetsurgeon.That is the big question. enybody (especially DrDoug)Thanks for any advice/experience, on the subject. I know you paid your dues in thisdepartment.
Thanks.

I think I'd try the frequent expressing before opting for the surgery.k

The consistency of material in the anal sac varies by individual, not so much breed (in my experience). The very fluid type seems to build up faster and cause more frequent episodes than the paste type.

Did all the impactions result in infections and the need to lance and antibiotics and were they all on the same side? Sometimes, the lancing and severe infection scar the tissue enough that repeat episodes are infrequent (on the same side).

Doug, DVM