“How do I know if my dog needs her glands expressed?” – This is a common yet very important question among dog owners. Not taking action at the right time can lead to severe pain and infections that can compromise your dog’s health. This guide helps you identify the signs, so you can prevent unnecessary suffering caused by anal gland problems.
How Do I Know if My Dog Needs Her Glands Expressed?
Your dog needs an anal gland expression if she’s exhibiting common symptoms like an unusually foul, fishy odor, colored stains where she sits, and constant biting or licking of her behind. Other indicators include difficulty pooping, scooting, or dragging her rear end on the ground, and noticeable swelling or discomfort around the anal area.
My team has handled several cases, from routine expressions to complex surgeries for ruptured glands. The following signs collectively signal anal gland problems in a dog.
1. Unpleasant Odor
The anal glands may start to leak when they become full. One common factor with this leak is a very unpleasant smell. This foul odor is mostly worse than your dog’s poop and is easily noticeable.
2. Staining
Another common sign is when you notice colored stains with an awful after-smell in places where your dog lies down or sits. You may see some blood when the gland bursts.
3. Constant Biting and Scratching
Infected glands cause a lot of discomfort, forcing your pet to continuously lick or scratch their behind. This is natural for them as your dog’s instinct is to relieve discomfort by biting or scratching the affected area.
4. Difficulty Pooping
In extreme cases where the glands have become very swollen and painful, your dog may experience painful bowel movements. There may be times when your dog only defecates small, hard poop. Also, check your dog immediately if she’s showing signs of constipation.
5. Scooting or Dragging of the Rear End
In some cases, you might notice your dog dragging her behind on the ground or scooting. It’s their way of trying to express their anal glands. They may frequently scratch their rear side on textured things like grass or carpet.
6. Swelling or Discomfort Around the Anal Area
An inflamed anal gland can swell, causing redness around the anal area. Check for bean-sized lumps by the anus. You may observe your dog finding it uncomfortable sitting or walking, or yelping when the area is touched.
What Are Anal Glands in a Dog?
A dog has specialized scent glands called anal glands (or anal sacs) located internally on both sides of their rectum. Each dog’s anal gland secretion is distinct, like a personal signature.
- Location and structure: Glands are scent-producing anal sacs situated at four and eight o’clock by the dog’s anus.
- Function: These glands contribute to canine communication by producing a unique, pungent secretion naturally expressed when a dog defecates. It embeds the scent in the stool to mark territory and convey information to other dogs.
- Possible issues: Issues arise if anal glands become impacted or fail to express naturally, resulting in inflammation, discomfort, and potential infection.
Causes of Anal Gland Issues in a Dog
There are several reasons why a dog’s gland can become impacted and painful:
- Diarrhea: A dog’s stool should normally be strong enough to naturally express the glands while passing. Loose stools can’t do this, causing fluid build-up in the gland sac.
- Food allergies: Adverse reactions to food or drugs can cause your furry friend’s glands to become impacted, especially if it’s a dog experiencing inflammatory and allergy issues.
- Weight: Obesity and being overweight may also cause problems like impacted glands in a dog.
How Can I Express My Dog’s Anal Glands at Home?
This is a step-by-step guide on how to express your dog’s anal glands by yourself. However, I strongly recommend consulting my veterinary clinic for accurate and proper information on how to proceed.
Vets are trained to assess the scent glands located on either side of your dog’s anus, checking their size, firmness, and the ease with which they express.
1. Prepare Materials
Before you start, prepare these materials:
- Disposable latex or nitrile gloves
- Paper towels or washcloths
- Cloth towel to cover the floor or table
- Warm water
- Pet wipes
- Petroleum jelly
- Deodorizing spray for your dog’s bottoms
- Treats for rewards
2. Position Your Dog and Express the Glands
When you have a small dog, position them on a solid surface like a table. For large dogs, you can position them on the floor with a towel underneath them.
- Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly onto your forefinger and thumb.
- Press your fingers and locate the anal glands on either side of the anus. They should feel puffy and about the size of a grape. They will be in approximately eight and four o’clock positions.
- Gently squeeze the glands together using your index and thumb fingers. Apply a slight upward pressure to release a brown or tan fluid.
3. Clean Up
Use warm water and a washcloth to clean your dog’s anal area. You can also use wet wipes to wipe fluid from the dog’s fur and tail. Spray the area with a bum-safe deodorizing spray.
Dispose of the gloves and dirty towels. Wash your hands thoroughly before giving treats to your dog.
What Are the Potential Complications of Expressing a Dog’s Anal Glands at Home?
Without professional handling, the process of expressing your dog’s anal glands can be extremely uncomfortable, causing your dog to associate touch in that area with pain. I discourage home anal gland expression in a dog because of these reasons:
- High risk of injury: Incorrect technique can cause pain, bruising, or tearing.
- Infection danger: Without proper sterilization, you risk introducing harmful bacteria, causing abscesses.
- Incomplete expression: Most owners can’t fully empty the gland, leading to impaction.
- Misdiagnosis: What seems like a full gland could be tumors or fistulas.
It’s not advisable to medicate or express a dog’s anal glands by yourself. Contact my clinic or facility as soon as you notice signs of anal gland problems in your dog. My team of skilled vets and I can approach the problem in a way that minimizes discomfort and prevents complications.
Where Can I Get My Dog’s Anal Glands Expressed?
Our veterinary clinic is the safest place with the most experienced and caring team to have your dog’s anal glands expressed. Before expressing anal glands, our skilled veterinarians can examine them to assess their condition, size, and any potential anal gland problems.
I will also provide comprehensive care, checking for signs of a gland infection or more serious issues that may require additional treatment.
Our gentle technique, combined with our ability to sedate if necessary, makes the process much safer and less stressful for your dog, especially if they have a history of anal sac discomfort or are prone to anal gland problems. I may also prescribe anti-inflammatories or antibiotics, depending on the situation.
How to Prevent the Need for Gland Express Procedures?
As pet parents, you can prevent the need for manual anal gland expression by maintaining your dog’s healthy weight and promoting regular, firm bowel movements. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and good hygiene around your dog’s anal section work together to maintain natural gland expression during defecation.
1. Create a Fiber-Rich Diet
Balanced nutrition keeps anal gland secretions at the right consistency. Feed them high-quality dog food to produce firmer stools, which in turn provide the necessary pressure to naturally express the anal glands during defecation. Choose high-fiber dog foods (7-10% fiber) and include pumpkin, sweet potato, or bran in your dog’s diet to maintain a healthy weight.
2. Dedicate Time for Exercise
Provide daily walks and playtime and engage in activities that encourage squatting to strengthen rectal muscles. Your dog needs better muscle tone in the rectal area to aid in the efficient emptying of the glands. Exercise helps regulate bowel movement, keeping your dog’s anal glands healthy.
3. Monitor Your Dog’s Stool
Keeping a close eye on your dog’s bowel movements is a proactive way to assess anal gland health. Watch for straining or frequent small, soft stools. Well-formed, firm stools indicate that enough pressure is being applied to the dog’s anus during defecation.
4. Maintain Good Hygiene
Good hygiene around the anal area can prevent anal sac issues. Regular cleaning helps remove any residual fecal matter that might block the gland’s ducts or cause irritation. Gently clean your pet’s anus after bowel movements and use pet-safe wipes or a damp cloth for cleaning.
5. Schedule Regular Vet Examinations
Schedule bi-annual or annual vet visits for gland assessments. Regular checkups with our clinic can also help prevent any complications. Our vets can also provide specific advice on your dog’s anal gland issues based on their breed and health history.
Related Questions
Can Expressing the Anal Glands Prevent Future Problems?
Routine expression of the anal gland can help some dogs, although it’s not a universal preventative measure. Expressing anal glands should only be performed when clinically needed, as overly frequent expression can weaken the muscles that naturally empty the gland.
How Do You Tell if a Dog’s Glands Are Full?
You can identify full anal glands in a dog by a foul odor that’s distinctly fishy and much worse than normal poop, often accompanied by your dog scooting their behind on the ground. Other signs of anal gland problems include visible swelling around the anus and your dog excessively licking or biting its rear area.
What Happens if a Dog’s Glands Aren’t Expressed?
When a dog’s impacted anal glands are left untreated, they can lead to severe discomfort, infection, and even abscesses or ruptures, causing extreme pain and requiring emergency surgery. You might notice changes in your dog’s behavior, such as irritability, reluctance to sit, excessive licking, or scooting.
How Often Do Female Dogs Need Their Glands Expressed?
Most female dogs naturally express their anal glands when defecating. Some may need their anal glands expressed every three to four weeks if they have chronic issues. The best approach is to monitor your dog for symptoms and follow a vet’s gland expression recommendations based on factors like breed, diet, and health.
What Dog Breeds Need Their Glands Expressed?
Breeds particularly susceptible to anal sac disorder include Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, King Charles Spaniel, and Cockapoo. Smaller breeds are significantly more prone to needing their anal glands expressed due to their anatomy and often softer stools.
Conclusion
Recognizing when your dog needs her anal glands expressed enables you to identify the problem early and seek professional help promptly. I recommend taking your dog to the vet so the procedure can be performed in a safe manner. This is beneficial for your dog’s overall health as the vet’s team will also make sure she’s comfortable and cared for.