Today’s blog post will touch on something that isn’t discussed around a water cooler, but your dog has them and he wants you to know about them. This topic is important if you own a dog, or plan to own a dog, because if the issue flares up, it’s important that you know what to do.
Anal glands, or anal sacs, are located on both sides of your dogs’ rear end. These glands are filled with a smelly fluid that carries the scent of your dog. Each dog has his or her own scent and like a fingerprint, no two are alike. When you see dogs sniff each other in the rear it means they have detected the scent of another dog.
The fluid is supposed to be released when your dog goes poop, but sometimes that doesn’t always happen. Sometimes your dog needs help releasing this fluid. This is called expressing of the anal glands—it can be done at the veterinarian, the dog groomer, or if you’re brave enough—it can be done at home. Personally, this is something that should be left to the experts. Pay someone to do the job and save yourself the stink and smell that comes along with the job. If you don’t want to pay someone, your veterinarian should be able to teach you how to do it yourself.
If your dogs’ anal glands are not expressed then he might start suffering from anal gland disease. They may become impacted, infected or even develop an abscess. When this happens, you might notice your dog scooting his rear end across the floor. If you have a small breed dog, be aware they are more prone to anal gland issues than larger dogs.
When you do notice your dog scooting, it might be anal glands, but it could also be caused by several other things—he might have an infections, he might have worms, or even inflammations. If it is an anal gland issue your dog might chew or lick his rear end or he may have trouble going poop.
If he is having trouble going poop, treatment is simple, and effective. Methods of treatment include:
- Expressing of the anal glands, either at home or by the vet
- Antibiotics to treat an infection
- An increase in dietary fiber
- A hot compress
- Flushing of the sacs under general anesthetic
A special thank you to www.pets.webmd.com for help with this blog post, be sure to check out their website for more helpful dog care tips.
Here’s hoping this blog post has left you with a little more knowledge about your dog and his poop issues. For more tips on keeping your dog happy, healthy, and safe, keep reading our blog at www.arrowheadscoopers.com. Give us a call today at (602) 391-0160 for your free pet waste removal quote. See customer reviews on our website. Arrowhead is the leading pet waste removal company in the greater Glendale, and greater Peoria, Arizona area. Happy Tails!
