The anal glands are small, oval-shaped sacs that sit just inside your dog’s rectum on either side of the anus. The glands produce a foul-smelling, greasy substance that probably serves as a territorial marker and relays biochemical information.
Nature designed your pet’s anal glands to empty on their own during bowel movements. What nature didn’t design are the commercial pet foods most dogs are fed that often contribute to chronic anal gland issues. The first thing you should do if your pet is having problems with her anal glands is to eliminate all grains and switch her to a biologically appropriate diet.
Well-meaning groomers, veterinarians and even pet owners can cause trauma to anal glands through routine manual expression. The anal sacs are delicate little organs that are easily injured by pinching or squeezing. Unnecessary manual expression will also reduce the effectiveness of the glands over time.
Some dogs have oddly positioned anal glands that may need surgical correction. Other conditions involving the anal glands include impaction; bacterial infection that leads to abscess and ultimately, rupture; and tumors.
If your dog is having issues with his anal glands, it’s important to locate a veterinarian who will work to identify the cause of the problem rather than simply treating it symptomatically through manual expression of the glands.
