The Importance Of The Dogs Anal Gland

In the movie The Fisher King there is a rathervet, however, it is perfectly acceptable to
humorous scene in which Robin Williams characterexpress the anal glands yourself.
is scooting himself along the ground by digging hisExpressing the Dogs Anal Glands:
heels in and dragging his bare bottom across theExpressing the anal glands is a simple matter. Youll
grass. In a jubilant voice he calls out, Do youwant to hold the tail up and pull it gently toward
know why dogs do this? It feels GREAT!!the dogs head. In the other hand hold a tissue or
Actually, thats not the only reason. Dogs willpaper towel and place your thumb on the left side
exhibit this behavior if the anus or hind quartersof the left gland and your forefinger on the right
are itchy, but it can be a sign of an impacted analside of the right gland. Squeeze firmly but not
gland which can be a problem for some dogs.roughly and the glands should empty a brown or
The anal glands are located on either side of ayellowish liquid onto the tissue or towel. Impacted
dogs anus and, in the wild, serve as a method ofglands will not empty as easily and may require an
marking the dogs territory. When a doginternal draining technique. You can do the internal
defecates the glands are naturally compressedtechnique at home as well, but youll need surgical
and secrete a dark, foul smelling liquid along withgloves and a tube of KY jelly.
the bowel movement. When the sacs areInternal anal gland expression requires that the
functioning normally they empty whenever thesacs on either side of the anus be expressed
animal has a bowel movement.individually and will require that you place your
Sometimes, for various reasons, the dogs analthumb on one side of the gland and your
sacs may become blocked. When this happens aforefinger inside the dogs rectum in order to
number of problems can develop. Some aresqueeze and express the gland. Impacted glands
benign as a foul smell but the can lead to seriouswill be harder to drain and the fluid may be thick
problems like diarrhea and infection. To interveneand pasty with a foul odor and a dark brown,
before a blocked anal gland becomes an issue, thegrey, or black color.
glands must be expressed.Infected anal glands may produce a discharge of
Expression of the anal glands is a simple medicalbloody pus and can be an indication of a more
procedure that can be performed at home or byserious problem. The infection should be fought
a veterinarian. Some people prefer to let the vetwith antibiotics so a vet should be contacted
take care of this task because they find it to beimmediately if the dog seems to have such an
an unattractive duty. To save the expense of ainfection.