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IOWAHOUNDS
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Joined: 09 Apr 2007
Posts: 428
Location: SIOUX CITY, IOWA
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| Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 6:55 pm Post subject: WHAT IS Anal glands |
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ANAL GLANDS ARE : Dog anal glands are two small glands located on either side of your dog's rectal opening. Each gland holds a small amount of a noxious smelling liquid brown substance that your pet uses as something of a doggie calling card.
How Dog Anal Glands Are Used
Whenever your dog urinates or defecates, the anal glands receive a small amount of pressure, and a tiny bit of the fluid is released, along with your dog's custom blended scent. Your dog can also express a little of his personal essence when he meets a fellow canine. Have you ever noticed that when two dogs meet, they often raise their tails on high alert? This action applies the pressure to the dog anal glands, and this leads to the traditional butt sniffing we humans cannot seem to fathom. However, to our dogs this behavior is as normal as shaking hands when you meet someone new. By sniffing, the dogs learn to identify each other by their scents. Equate it with exchanging business cards, and you have the idea.
If you're alarmed at this point about all this expressing going on, don't be. Remember that a dog's sense of smell is light years beyond our own, so the amount of the actual expressions are minute, and you'll likely never smell anything yourself unless your dog develops an anal gland infection.
[edit]Gland Problems and Diet
Many dogs never seem to have a problem with their anal glands, but the opportunity for infection to take hold is always there. When the anal glands are not sufficiently expressed, bacteria is given the chance to build up, and this can lead to numerous problems. Your dog can develop an infection, which if left untreated can progress into an abscess. The abscess can then rupture through the skin, leading to further complications.
It's believed that dog anal gland problems can be linked to the quality of pet food a dog receives. Inexpensive brands of dog food use a lot of cereal fillers, which tend to make soft stools. The soft stool isn't able to press firmly enough against the dog's anal glands to provide the necessary pressure to express them, and there the trouble begins. Higher quality dog foods that produce a firmer, more compact stool actually aid the expressing of dog anal glands and, therefore, may be a better food choice for your pet.
[edit]Signs of Gland Problems
If your dog's anal glands fail to properly express, they may actually become impacted, making your dog very uncomfortable. Watch for these signs:
Your dog begins scooting or dragging his rear across the floor.
Your dog keeps licking or chewing near his rectum.
Your dog's stools have become soft and mushy.
If you are noticing one or more of these signs, it may be a good idea to take your dog in for a check up with his vet. The dog anal glands may actually need to be manually expressed, a job best left to the professionals. Some professional dog groomers will also perform this procedure for you at your request.
[edit]For Die-Hard Do-It-Yourself Types
Many breeders and owners feel capable of expressing their dog's anal glands themselves. However, one should be prepared for the anal gland secretions to appear and smell quite disgusting. If you feel this is a task you are willing to perform, here are some basic directions. Please be advised, that you should only perform this procedure on your own dogs and never someone else's.
Prepare a warm moist washcloth.
Locate your dog's anal glands by raising his tail and using your other hand to feel for two lumps at approximately five and seven o'clock on either side of his anal opening.
Holding the cloth over his anal opening to prevent an unpleasant squirt, begin applying firm but gentle pressure to the sacs. This should cause some of the fluid to be expelled through the rectal opening, thereby emptying the glands. Wipe your dog's behind clean, and the job should be finished.
If you notice blood or pus in your dog's anal gland secretions, it is likely a sign of infection, andand you should contact your vet for an appointment and treatment
Free video on how to do this go here and see how to do it...
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/8453_dog-grooming-basics-glands.htm
THIS IS THE GOOD GLAAND
THIS IS THE POOR GLAND
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A Dog's Soul
Every dog must have a soul,
somewhere deep inside
Where all his hurts
and grievances are
buried with his pride.
Where he decides
the good and bad,
the wrong way from the right,
And where his judgment carefully
is hidden from our sight.
A dog must have a secret place,
where every thought abides,
A sort of close acquaintance that
he trusts in and confides.
And when accused unjustly
for himself, He cannot speak,
Rebuked, He finds within his soul,
the comfort he must seek.
He'll love, tho'he is unloved,
and he'll serve tho'badly used,
And one kind word will wipe away
the times when he's abused.
Altho' his heart may break in two,
his love will still be whole,
Because God gave to every
dog an understanding Soul!
Author Unknown
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