Q: It seems like a lot of dogs are having their anal sacs emptied by vets and groomers. What do guardians need to pay attention to for optimal anal gland health?
A: Anal glands or sacs are situated under the skin, just below the anus, and have small ducts passing to the outside. The sacs contain sebaceous glands, which produce the foul smell we usually associate with anal gland emptying. In normal circumstances, the anal glands are emptied as faeces press against the anus wall. This natural pressure expresses the glands, and the glandular liquid coats the faeces.
If the faeces are too soft, so not firm enough to press against the anal wall, the glands can become blocked and sometimes infected. Symptoms of this may include dogs scooting their bottoms along the floor, nibbling the base of the tail or looking uncomfortable and distressed.
Impaction of the glands (i.e. blockage) can also be the result of the glands being positioned anatomically incorrectly, but your vet should be able to advise you if this is the case.
There are many ways of ensuring your dog passes healthy firm faeces to help naturally empty the glands. This can include ground bone in a raw diet or just increased fibre.
Speak to your vet about ways of managing the problem effectively.
