What are anal glands
The anal glands are a pair of sacs that sit just inside the anus. They contain a strong smelling liquid used for marking territory. Healthy glands empty when your animal defecates. If this does not happen, they can overfill and block.
If anal glands are not emptied, they can become impacted and an abscess can form. The abscess will eventually burst through the skin leaving a smelly, bloody and painful mess. Full anal glands may be a temporary thing during bouts of diarrhoea, or it may be an ongoing problem.
Causes of anal gland problems
- Obesity - Extra body fat in the anal region lessens the pressure that passing faeces applies to the glands
- Age and breed considerations such as Toy and Miniature Poodles, Chihuahua's, Lhasa Apso's, Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds and Beagles rank high on the list of breeds affected by anal gland issues. However, this doesn't rule out larger breeds and even cats.
Signs of impacted or infected anal glands
- Scooting more than once or twice
- Licking their rear end
- Chewing the base of the tail and back legs
- Swelling and redness of the sphincter
- Smelly fishy breath
- Deposit of fishy smelling droplets where your dog has been sitting.
Signs of impacted anal glands can be very obvious or quite subtle.
Expressing the glands
There are two different ways to express the anal glands. Internally and externally. I will assess the patient and express the glands the best way for your pet.
The frequency of anal gland expressing is different for every dog and cat, from every few weeks to months.