Stinky Butts – What’s the deal with anal glands?

 

All dogs have small sacks called anal glands.  These sacks periodically fill with a fluid that may need emptying.  While large dogs tend to empty their anal glands themselves (with their feces) small dogs sometimes lack the strength and need a little help.  Glands can be expressed both internally and externally.  Internal expression of the glands is more thorough and if your dog is having an issue with their glands this is what I would recommend. This is generally performed only by vets.

 

For regular maintenance your groomer can express them externally, or can let you know if they need to be done internally at your vet.  There are some ways to tell on your own if they glands need to be done though.  If you see your dog “scooting” their rear across the carpet, ya, maybe he just has an itchy fanny, but if this is occurring often you definitely want to have the glands checked.  You can try to check them yourself by lifting their tail and feeling the area right below the anus, in the 4 o-clock and 8 o’clock positions.

 

If you feel ball like lumps there you will want to have them checked.  Be careful doing this, squeezing these little lumps can release the glands, which is a very unpleasant experience.

 

While discussing and checking your dog’s anal glands is never fun, it is necessary, particularly for small dogs.  If these sacks get too full they can rupture which would require vet attention not to mention be very painful for your dog.

 

Most groomers will be happy to show you how to check your dog’s anal glands, and if you’re feeling bold they may even help you learn how to express them yourself.