Anal Gland Disorders
Your pet needs to have their anal glands expressed, since he/she has been experiencing:
- 1. Scooting or dragging the rump
- 2. Excessive licking under the tail
- 3. Sore / swollen area seen near the anus
- 4. Bloody or sticky drainage under the tail
The pressure of the bowel movement and the contractions of the muscles around the anuswill cause normal emptying of the sacs. If, for whatever reason, this natural emptying doesnot occur the glands become distended with secretion. Discomfort or infection may follow.
Diseases of these glands / sacs include:
1. IMPACTION - excessive accumulation of fluid that thickens and weakens the glands
2. INFECTION - bacteria enter the sacs and together with the thick fluid cause pus andblood.
3. ABSCESSATION - as a result of the infection a hot, tender, red swelling forms next tothe anal opening and may burst and drain bloody pus.
The anal glands are small sacs located on either side of the anus, under the skin and belowthe muscle. They connect to the anal opening by means of small canals (ducts). Anal sacsproduce and store a dark, foul smelling fluid. These are the same glands that a skunk usesfor defense. With dogs and cats they serve no useful purpose other than to "scent mark"their territory to let other animals know not to intrude.