Have you noticed your
dog dragging their bottom along the floor? Or perhaps a strong, foul odor is
lurking around their hind end? Are they licking or chewing their bottoms
excessively? This can be due to your pet’s anal glands not expelling fluid
properly. The fluid is used for marking territory- hence the powerful odor. Normally,
the fluid from the anal glands is expelled during defecation. If this does not
occur, the fluid builds up in the glands causing irritation, itchiness, pain and
infection. It is also possible for the anal glands to rupture. On top of that, licking and
chewing can cause topical infections.
If your dog is exhibiting any of these
behaviors they may need to have their glands manually expressed. This is a
simple procedure performed by a technician. Sometimes, an examination with a veterinarian
is necessary in order to determine if there is a more serious problem such as
infection or an anal gland impaction. An impaction is when a bile duct to the
gland becomes blocked. In the most extreme cases, surgery is required to remove
the anal glands. This is called an anal sacculectomy. Fortunately,
most dogs just need an appointment with a technician to help them out!
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