Anal gland draining

To help the anal glands to function properly, dogs need to consume the right amounts of fiber. Sadly, due to a lack of good fiber in the average canine diet, many dogs have to have their anal glands expressed manually … meaning the vet or groomer squeezes them by hand to get the fluid out. You know your dog marks his or her — girls do it too! Dogs have two small glands on either side of the anus.

Our Castle Rock veterinarians have put this article together to help you tell if your dog needs his anal glands expressed. Some pet parents bring their dogs in every month or more often , if their dogs have been having recurring issues. Help your pup feel better. If you live in Castle Rock or the Denver area, call our veterinarians at or:. Specializing in the care of cats and dogs, our goal is to help you and your pet feel more comfortable, keeping your stress to a minimum. This article is intended to provide general guidance on how to tell if your dog needs his anal glands expressed. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact your local veterinarian.

You know all that doggy butt-sniffing that we humans seem to find either appalling or hilarious? You may not think of that dog in your bed as a predator, but at heart, he is. And like all predators, your dog has anal sacs anal glands located on both sides and slightly below his anus.

To sustain this free service, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. Our review process. If not taken care of immediately, blocked anal glands can lead to a severe infection. There are also some medical issues that cause loose stool or diarrhea learn how to diagnose diarrhea , including misplaced anal glands or anal gland cancer in dogs.