Anal glands, What are they? They are the two sacs inside the anus area. When you lift your pet’s tail straight up, they are located at about four and eight o’clock in reference to the circumference of the anus. When you push down the skin of the lower part of the anus opening, sometimes you can see a tiny hole on each side. Inside these holes are the sacs. These sacs are sometimes called the “scent” glands. Skunks use these for self-defense. Cats and dogs can empty their own glands to mark their territory. Fear, extreme stress or excitement can also cause them to be emptied. They are very foul smelling and if the brownish liquid from the glands gets on the furniture or carpet, it will take several scrubbings to remove the stinky odor. What does that have to do with grooming? A lot! Sometimes a dog and/or cat will not keep their glands emptied outdoors. They will empty them in your house by scooting or rubbing their rear on the floor, carpet, bedding, on your sofa or your favorite chair. Most people do not want that “stuff” in their home, so the veterinarian or your groomer will clean them out for you, especially if they are full. Some domestic animals lost their natural ability to empty them. Walking, running and normal defecation will naturally keep the sacs from getting too full. Instead of doing this, the anal gland openings will become clogged and the glands enlarged. If they cannot empty them by scooting or licking their anus, they get very irritated. Some cats will lick their fur off around the rear area. Some dogs will try to chew their tail off or chase their tail. If you do not have them emptied, they can be infected, inflamed, or ruptured, thus causing severe pain for your pet, and vet bills. Groomers usually empty the dogs glands also to prevent them from accidentally emptying them during the grooming process after the bath. They do not always empty the cats’ due to the risk of being bit in the process of emptying them. Some will only empty the ones whose glands are full and smelly. How do you empty them? It can be done two different ways: internally and externally. Externally: It is best done during the bathing process due to the terrible odor. If you do it out of the tub, you will need a clean rag, cloth or tissue to catch the liquid. In the tub, you will need to make sure that the anus is facing away from you. (Warning: If you look at the anus while you clean it, you may have the liquid spray right into your face. The odor will linger for hours even after you wash your face several times.) Now make sure the dog or cat is properly (safely) restrained, by a noose attached to the tub, or have someone hold the head gently, but firmly away from being able to turn around. Lift the tail straight up. By doing this, it forces the anal glands to move out, making it easier to feel them. Using the sides of your forefinger tip and thumb, feel for two lumps. Now gently close your finger and thumb behind the “lumps” Do not pinch! Do not use your fingernails! Gently and firmly slide up and out toward the openings. The liquid usually will shoot out or spray all over the tub or unto the cloth. Do not squeeze hard, do not squeeze the center of the glands or you can rupture the glands if they are impacted. The liquid should be brownish in color or almost clear, sometimes they are thick due to being impacted. If it is yellowish or greenish in color and pus like, they may be infected. Sometimes just emptying them clears the infection up if it is mild. Always be safe and have them checked by the vet. They may need some oral antibiotics to heal properly, and sometimes the vet will flush the anal glands out with some medicine. If the cat or dog cries when you touch the anal glands, stop. It may be infected and very sore. Let the veterinarian do it. If you see blood coming out of the anus, do not attempt to clean the anal glands, take it to the vet. It may already be ruptured or there may be other things wrong with the pet. After you finish, rinse the area well and wash it with a gentle soap, then rinse again. Internally: Put a latex glove on, lubricate the forefinger. Insert the finger into the anus. Feel for the sac. Do one side at a time. Gently squeeze the sacs between the thumb and the forefinger. Most veterinarians prefer that you let them do the internal part. It takes several tries to get it right. Note: If the anus looks like the inside of its rectum is sticking out, like an ugly cauliflower, it is probably caused from the pet’s forceful and prolonged straining. It is best to have the veterinarian take care of it and to do the glands at the same time. What if there’s some white little things coming out of the glands or anus? And…EEEK, they moved!!?? Those are worms. You will have to get some medicine from the vet to kill those annoying worms. How often should this be done? It varies with every pet. Usually they will tell you that they need to be emptied by scooting, rubbing their rear, or licking the anus. Then you need to get them cleaned again. If you have the groomer do them, usually they will do it every time your pet is being groomed (every 4 to 6 weeks). Most people feel that it is well worth having someone else do this smelly “job”. What if the pet still scoots after it has been groomed? Maybe they have not been emptied properly, or for some pets, they will stop scooting after a couple of days. If they continue to scoot after a couple of days, have the glands re-checked. Sometimes it is not the anal gland that’s bothering it. It is the clipping part. When the anus area is clipped too short, it causes an irritation and will itch like crazy for days or weeks afterwards. If this is the case, be sure to tell the groomer not to clip around the anus too close. Putting a soothing salve, like Skin Works, Oxyfresh gel, or Jock itch cream will help. Sometimes the worms are the cause. For some rare cases, the vet will remove the anal glands for those who are prone to anal gland infection. What can you do to make sure the anal glands are healthy and require less emptying? Feed your pet a high fiber diet. Quality dry food helps. If you give your pet soft canned food, try mixing some fiber in with it, such as flaxseed meal or dry oatmeal. Make this anal gland check be part of the regular health / grooming maintenance. This way you will not have to worry about your home smelling bad and enjoy having your healthy pet around you |
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| Tamara Hollingsworth is the President of Star Academy for Pet Stylists, Inc. The Florida State Board of Nonpublic Career Education licenses this school. The objective of the school is to raise the standard of pet grooming, and to prevent harm and abuse due to ignorance or lack of training. She has given lectures and worked with groomers from all over the country. She is a lover of animals of all kinds. Star Academy is located in Stuart, Florida (772) 221-9330. If you have a question on a certain breed or grooming process, please feel free to write or e-mail Tamara, so that if appropriate, she may write up an article on it. http://www.oocities.org/petstylists/index.html |
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| ANAL GLANDS By Tamara Hollingsworth |