Home / Health Care / Anal Glands
Your Poodles Anal Glands
Dogs have two anal glands, sac-like structures, located just under the skin on each side of the anus. These glands fill with a foul-smelling fluid. Under normal circumstances a small amount of the fluid is expelled when the dog defecates.
Sometimes the anal glands become plugged-up (impacted) and fail to empty properly. The result is discomfort from the accumulating pressure and will sometimes lead to infection.
Impaction can happen to any dog, but is most common in dogs under 20 lbs. Many toy breeds, including the Toy Poodle have trouble with impacted anal glands. The smaller the dog is, the more chance of anal gland problems.
Symptoms Of Impacted Anal Glands
Though the signs can vary from dog to dog, common signs are:
- scooting on the rear end
- licking the area around the anal glands
- reluctance in defecating, resembling constipation
- discomfort when the area is touched
A regular check of the anal glands and expressing (forcing the fluid out) them if full, should be a part of the poodles grooming routine. Poodles do not require the glands be expressed every grooming, but they should be checked each time.
Emptying The Anal Glands
To express the anal glands, prepare a warm moist cloth or paper towel. Raise the dogs tail, the glands are located at a 5 o'clock and 7 o'clock position, you will feel the glands as small firm nodules.
Place the cloth over the area, position your thumb on one gland and index finger on the opposite gland. By pressing in and squeezing your fingers toward each other the glands should empty. Wipe the area with the cloth and repeat if necessary.
Anal Gland Infection
With chronic impaction, infection of the anal glands is not uncommon. The presence of blood or pus in the anal gland secretions indicate an infection. The dog may also show signs of discomfort when the glands are being expressed or do a great deal of scooting.
When one or both of the anal glands become infected they will often rupture to the outside and drain. This can be quite painful, but most of the time will heal in several days. Infected anal glands will require antibiotic treatment from your veterinarian.
For a dog who suffers chronic problems, the anal sacs can be surgically removed. Before resorting to surgery, discuss it thoroughly with your veterinarian and seek other solutions. The surgery is delicate (a mistake can lead to fecal incontinence) and recovery is painful.
Can Anal Gland Problems Be Prevented?
There is some evidence that a diet higher in fat will cause more anal gland secretion and the secretion will become thicker, therefore causing more potential problems.
Some believe, a high fiber diet to increase the frequency and bulk of the dogs stool, stimulating the glands to express more often will help. These theories have not been proven conclusively in studies as of yet.
