The anal glands (also called “anal sacs”) are located on each side of the anus, just under the skin. They open to the outside by tiny passageways or ducts. Glands within the anal sacs produce a dark, pungent smelling substance. The secretion from the anal glands is a brownish liquid, although is can become thick, yellowish or creamy looking.
Most animals can empty these glands voluntarily for scent marking or in self defense (when they get scared). Dogs use their anal glands primarily for territorial marking or as a form of communication. In dogs and cats, every time a stool is passed, it should put enough pressure on the anal glands to secrete a small amount of anal gland material on the surface of the stool. Other dogs and cats are then able to determine which animals have been in the area just by sniffing the stools they find. Additionally, dogs and cats recognize one another by smelling each other in the general area of the anus, since each animal’s anal glands produce a unique scent.
When normal defecation does not effectively empty the anal glands, some dogs and cats experience an accumulation of anal gland fluid. Anal gland disease is a common problem in dogs and cats. The anal glands can become impacted, infected, and abscessed.
If an animal cannot express their anal glands, the sacs can become impacted and uncomfortable. Dogs with impacted anal sacs usually scoot their rear on the ground in an attempt to empty the glands. Some dogs will lick their anal area and other dogs will chase their tails. Some pets experience tenderness near the tail or anus and may have a bloody, purulent drainage from the anal area. Cats often lick the fur off just under their tails.
When the anal glands fail to empty normally, the result can be impaction. Impaction is most common in small dog breeds, but can occur in any dog. Among the causes of anal gland impaction are soft stools, small anal gland openings and overactive anal glands. The anal gland secretions become thick and pasty. Anal gland impaction is treated by manual emptying of the glands.
The first step is to check the anal sacs when any pet has a history of scooting. The anal sacs can be emptied in one of two ways: externally or internally. With either method, you need to raise the dog’s tail and locate the anal glands. The glands should be at approximately the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions in relation to the anal circumference.
The external method involves holding a paper towel or tissue up to the rectal area and squeezing both sides of the anal area. If the secretion is very pasty, this method may be inadequate to empty the sacs.
The internal method involves inserting a lubricated gloved finger into the rectum and squeezing the anal sac between the thumb & forefinger to express fluid into a tissue held externally. The glands should like small firm nodules in the perianal area. Wipe the area clean with a tissue and repeat this procedure on the opposite side. If the discharge is bloody or purulent in appearance there is probably an anal gland infection which needs to be treated by your veterinarian. If left untreated, anal gland infections can progress into an abscess. The abscess can then rupture through the skin, leading to further complications.
If the sacs have been emptied adequately, the scooting should resolve in a couple of days. If scooting continues for more than a few days after anal gland expression, the anal glands should be rechecked. If the anal glands are empty and scooting persists, another cause should be investigated (such as irritated rectal skin, tapeworms, or rectal mass).
An abscess can form and rupture out through the skin. This is a painful, messy and odorous condition that may be mistaken for rectal bleeding. If an anal sac abscess forms, it must be properly treated by your veterinarian. Most cases will require surgical removal of both anal glands.
This is a highly individual situation. The best recommendation is to watch for signs of anal gland fullness. If your pet starts scooting, licking his rectal area, or biting the hair around the rectal area, it is time to bring him in to have his anal glands checked.
To avoid the expense of having the anal glands expressed routinely, you can learn to empty them yourself at home. Most people do not feel comfortable performing this procedure on their pet and prefer to have someone else express the anal glands. A non-invasive technique that helps some patients is to change to a high fiber diet. This will produce a bulkier stool that may be more effective in emptying the anal glands as it passes by. However, if these methods of treatment are not successful, veterinarians often recommend complete removal of the anal glands bilaterally.
If your pet’s anal glands need to be emptied every few weeks or more, you may opt to have them permanently removed surgically. This is a fairly routine procedure that involves removing the entire anal sac on both sides of the rectum.
Sources:
www.marvistavet.com
www.cah.com
www.veterinarypartner.com
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