Does Your Dogs Backend Need To Be Expressed?
(ps This also applies to cats, so also beware of your cats backend problems)
Shorty has been trying to “rip her tail off” for the past weeks, so I took her to the vet today. He said she had full anal glands, and they need to be “expressed”. And, express he did. He said he has never seen such full glands before. And, the whole room was very stinky when he was finished. But, it needs to be talked about, so your dog does not go from full glands to impacted abscessed glands. If your dog shows signs of “back end” problems. Take him to the vet, your groomer, or even learn how to do it yourself!
In dogs, these glands are occasionally referred to as “scent glands”, because they enable the animals to mark their territory and identify other dogs. The glands can spontaneously empty, especially under times of stress, and create a very sudden unpleasant change in the odor of the dog. (ps yes, after the vet emptied my Shorty’s glands…phew, did it stink)
Get more info on AnalGlandz to treat infected anal glands in dogs naturally
The anal glands normally empty when the dog defecates. Failure to empty results in discomfort from the full anal gland pushing on the anus. The glands can be emptied by the dog’s keeper, or more typically by a groomer or veterinarian, by squeezing the gland so the contents are released through the small openings on either side of the anus. Discomfort is evidenced by the dog scooting its posterior on the ground, licking or biting at the anus, sitting uncomfortably, difficulty sitting or standing, or chasing its tail.
Discomfort may also be evident with impaction or infection of the anal glands. Anal gland impaction results from blockage of the duct leading from the gland to the opening. The gland is usually nonpainful and swollen. Anal gland infection results in pain, swelling, and sometimes abscessation and fever. Treatment is by expression of the gland, lancing of an abscess, and oral antibiotics and antibiotic infusion into the gland in the case of infection. The most common bacterial isolates from anal gland infection are E. coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Clostridium perfringens, and Proteus species.
Anal glands may be removed surgically in a procedure known as anal sacculectomy. This is usually done in the case of recurrent infection or because of the presence of an anal sac adenocarcinoma, a malignant tumor. Potential complications include fecal incontinence (especially when both glands are removed), tenesmus from stricture or scar formation, and persistent draining fistulae.
Anal gland fluid is normally yellow to tan in color and watery in consistency. Impacted anal gland material is usually brown or gray and thick. The presence of blood or pus indicates infection.
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Ryan said,
June 1, 2008 @ 7:23 pm
Hi Ruth,
How are you?
Interestingly enough, I really enjoyed reading your recent blog post about dog anal glands. I know that may sound weird, but one of my cats has a similar problem and my wife and I have been slightly perplexed about what to do. After reading your article, I took Billie (named after jazz singer Billie Holiday) to the vet and sure enough, they said exactly what you posted on your blog. THANK YOU. And as they say, knowing is half the battle.
In any event, I hope you’re doing well and look forward to hearing from you soon. Keep up the great work with your Happy Pet Blog site and I’ll talk to you soon.
All the best,
Ryan - http://www.dogpausebowl.com/
Administrator said,
June 1, 2008 @ 7:26 pm
Ryan, thanks for that reminder, that it is also applicable to cats.
By the way, I used your dog bowls for my two dogs, and it works great. As a matter of fact, I shared that with my readers in a separate blog post. Just wanted to let you know that!
http://www.dogpausebowl.com/
Ruth,
More About Your Cats and Dogs Anal Glands said,
June 18, 2008 @ 9:32 am
[...] More about your dogs/cats anal glands. Read the original article here. [...]
Dick Veerman said,
July 4, 2008 @ 6:57 am
Hi Dog Lovers:
My sole companion at this stage of my life is a sheppatd/blue heeler cross (I’m told). Her name is Missy. She is just under 9 years old according to my vet. She has been with me for the last seven years and after my (ugly) divorce, she is by far the best thing that ever happened to me!!!! She stands about 17 inches at the shoulder and much to my shame (!!) she is about 8 Pounds overweight. On our last visit to the vet, about three weeks ago, it turned out that her anal glands were not draining. The vet did the job an I left after paying a $217.00 vet bill. She also had a bladder infection at the time, so the bill included anti-biotics and some other medication. She had been “scooting” wich I had not noticed, until a friend (who has two dogs) alerted me. I went to my vet of the last seven years and he drained them, which was a 30 second procedure and added $30.00 (plus tax) to the bill. To be fair, he also gave her also a full examination with my permission of course. The problem is, that she is again scooting, she drags her heels on eating her high fiber food and licks her anus continually. Because of her breed, she has LOTS of hair around her anus and although I have gone to several websites to find out how to drain her anal glands myself, I have difficulty locating them because of her “hairy butt”. A visit to the vet will cost me $55.00 for the exam plus $30.00 for the 30 second gland treatment. I am 64 years old and on a very limted income, so I can’t keep doing this every three weeks or so. But I also cannot tolerate for Missy to suffer. She is extremely reluctant for me to touch her anal area, and I have to almost forcefully restrain her, which I am very reluctant to do. This dog was taken away by the Canadian SPCA from an extremely, criminally abusive owner, who beat her, kicked her and starved her (YES, thank God, the bastard was criminally charged, but the damage to Missy was done!!!) and as a result she has many scars on her lower belly and is missing teeth and she has a warped spine from the brutal abuse. It took me well over two years to socialize her and get her to trust me and the people around me. I manage a small apartment building and she is now comfortable with most of the longer term tenants, who just love her. But to this day she whimpers, rolls on her back or crawls under anything she can find when she sees a very tall, skinny male dressed completely in black, especialy if they were those stupid looking high heeled half boots with pointed toes. In all the years she has been with me, this anal gland thing has never come up before. (I take her for regular check-ups, twice a year). I cannot really complain about my vet, because a year ago, she had a growth on her left shoulder that was cancerous, and he only charged me a minimal amount for removing it, and not anything for the bio-test to see what it was. My questions (finally!!!):
1. Can these glands actually fill up this quickly (three weeks), or has Missy just gotten used to licking her butt all the time?
2. Will I have better access to these glands if I shave off the hair around her anus and if I do, will that do any harm (apart from looks)?
3. Why did this show up after no problems before and will this now be an ongoing thing?
4. Is there anything else I should do or know?
5. How do I know if Missy is actually in pain?????????????, what are the signs or symptoms???? I am told that animals hide their pain, is that true actually???
I will probaly eventually loose her, but I am not prepared to let that happen through my negligence or lack of knowledge or care.
If you have any kind of answer for me, PLEASE let me know a.s.a.p.
Thank you.
Dick Veerman
#105-329 Casey Street
Coquitlam, BC, CANADA V3K 4X7
Tel: 604-931-1049
Fax: 604-931-6407
e-mail: gilmar.management@telus.net
Administrator said,
July 4, 2008 @ 7:10 am
Dick,
I am going through the same thing with my black lab.
Unfortunately, yes, the glands do fill up that fast, and I too take her to have them emptied ever 2 weeks. And, it is too expensive.
You could do it yourself, as I will learn. Ask you vet to show you how. I know it’s gross, but, it is for the health and well being of our dogs.
My friend did it to her dog all the time, and she said it was no issue. A few minutes and it’s done. And if we do it regularly the dog will get accustomed to it.
Please check back for ongoing information, and please, if you find any other remedy let me know.
Actually, please keep us updated.
My dog is also adopted, so I always have a special spot in my heart for rescued dogs.
Thanks For Sharing,
Ruth,