Dogs have two glands, or sacs, beneath the skin near the anus, one on each
side. They are similar to a skunk's scent glands, and they give each pet's anal
region and feces a distinctive odor. The glands secrete a liquid that's usually
pressed out during each bowel movement. When the feces are too soft and don't
exert enough pressure to empty the glands as they pass, or if the glands produce
too much, the liquid can thicken and clog up the glands. Each time
your pet comes into our salon we check his glands during the bathing procedure.
If they are full we can express them but if they are impacted we will NOT, they
must see a vet for this. We do not get all of the fluid like your vet will
as we use an external expulsion method whereas the vet will actually
insert a finger into the rectum and can get a more thorough expulsion.
Pets with anal gland problems tend to lick themselves a lot, or they may scoot
or drag their bottoms against the floor in an effort to open up the impaction. A
clogged anal glad is tender and swollen. It can eventually abscess and rupture,
with lots of bloody or puss drainage. This requires a visit to the vet right
away. You'll know that your dogs glands have become infected if they are red,
discolored and very painful. Other signs include fever, loss of appetite and
lethargy.
If you can actually see a blister (swollen area filled with fluid) on the dogs
anus, do not attempt to empty the glands yourself. Draining the glands
yourself is a very messy procedure, and I do not recommend it for those who
don't truly know what they are doing. But if there is a blister on the anus, the
dog needs medical attention as soon as possible. This is extremely painful to
the dog, and your vet will most likely lance the blister (open it) so that it
will drain. Your dog will also need to be on antibiotics as well. While at the
vet, they'll also clean out the anal glands.
Some dogs may actually have to have injections of antibiotics directly into the
anal sacs. This is not very pleasant for the dog, but it does help. If the dog
continues to have problems with his anal glands, the vet may suggest removing
the sacs to prevent future problems.
Some dogs go through stages where they have a lot of problems, and then suddenly
have none at all.
How do we do it:
If the fur beneath the tail is long, we can clipper it off- this will help you
see what's going on and also make the area easier to treat and keep clean. If an
anal gland is abscessed or has ruptured, the weeping sore tends to deposit
matter in the fur, and your dog can leave stains wherever he sits.
We`ll want to wear disposable medical gloves and an old shirt for this because
the contents of the sacs have a very strong nasty odor that you don't want
squirted on good clothes.
First lift the tail up and gently pull it over the dog's back. This will expose
the rectal area and pull the skin taught over the sacs. The anal sacs are
located at the 5 and 7 o'clock positions on the anus, and you should be able to
feel them if they are full- they'll feel a bit like peas or marbles under the
skin. The ducts that empty them to the outside are higher, at 4 and 8 o'clock.
using your thumb and forefinger, squeeze in a C shaped sweeping arc to literally
milk the substance out. Start below the 5 and 7 o'clock positions and milk
upward. The material will be dark brown to clear. If it's yellow or blood
streaked, your dog may have an infection and will need antibiotics from a
veterinarian.
For mild irritations that are red and itchy but not infected, use hemorrhoid
cream (like Preparation H) to help your dog feel better. You can apply the cream
up to four times a day.
If the glands are impacted and firm we will not express them at our
salon. This pet must be under professional care!
