What are the anal glands of the dog for?
The dog has circumanal glands, i.e. located around the anus.
Among the glands present around the dog's anus, there are two anal glands also called anal sacs. These glands look like two small pouches.
These glands contain pheromones whose very unpleasant and malodorous smell for us is very useful for the dog, as it allows it to communicate with its congeners. These glands are therefore essential for the dog.
This explains why dogs sniff each other's bottoms when they meet. This does not always please owners who see their respective dog doing this, but it is completely natural and should not be avoided.
Why do dogs empty their anal glands?
The dog empties the anal glands for different reasons. Emptying of the anal glands can also be done passively when the dog defecates and the poop exerts pressure as it passes through the rectum.
Secretions can also be expelled in a way called active:
- After the stress;
- For feeling a great fear ;
- When you're panicking...
In these cases, the contents of the dog's anal glands can project up to 1.20 m in length, depending on the dog!
How do dogs purge their anal glands?
Normally, the dog itself performs the emptying of these anal glands.
To drain its anal glands, the dog can rub its buttocks on the floor. This is called a sled.
He can also rub his buttocks on a surface, like a tree trunk, for example.
This should challenge the master to ensure the dog doesn't seem to insist, repeat this behavior frequently, or even suffer. Because that would be a sign that your anal glands are blocked.
Why can they get clogged?
Most of the time, the lack of flow of the liquid contained in the anal glands comes from obstruction phenomena. The causes are varied. It could be:
- What is called impaction in veterinary jargon, i.e. when an anal sac is full and the dog is unable to empty it;
- An abscess;
- A tumor located near or in the anal glands may partially obstruct their evacuation canal,
- The presence of internal parasites (worms) lodged in the evacuation canal of the glands.
Why should you empty your dog's anal glands if necessary?
Normally, the dog's anal glands do not require any particular intervention on the part of the owner. In addition, it is not recommended to empty your dog's anal glands, as long as this does not pose a problem for the animal.
Small breed dogs like the Chihuahua, and Dachshund, the Toy Poodle for example, and among others, are more predisposed to obstruction of the anal glands.
If the dog does not empty its anal glands on its own, it is for this reason alone that the owner should intervene.
How to empty your dog's anal glands?
The technique of emptying your dog's anal glands is neither easy nor pleasant. This is why it is best left to the veterinarian who has a good grasp of the subject. He can show you what to do if you need to empty your dog's anal sacs afterwards.
- Place the dog standing at your height, like on a table, for example;
- Hold the dog to prevent it from moving;
- Lift the dog's tail to clean the anus;
- Take absorbent paper or a cloth;
- Using two fingers, squeeze each side of the anus;
- Apply this pressure from bottom to top;
- When liquid is expelled from the dog's anus, clean it;
- Bathing your dog will help rid him of all traces of the really stinky smell.
When to consult the veterinarian?
If you empty your dog's anal glands yourself and notice that the secretions are greenish, it's best to make an appointment with your veterinarian .
If the dog is rubbing his tail on the ground – he's on a sled – or licking his anal area repeatedly, it's best to consult the vet.
The veterinarian will ensure that there are no lumps preventing the dog's anal glands from emptying.
Depending on the case, additional tests will be required to establish the diagnosis.
If there is an infection of the glands, antibiotic treatment may be prescribed. And depending on the case, surgery should be considered.
Veterinary expenses are covered by the dog's health insurance and reimbursed up to the formula chosen by the owner.
In case of recurrence, a sacculectomy can be performed. This surgical procedure involves removing the anal sacs. This will not affect the dog's well-being later on.