Anal glands, also referred to as anal sacs are two small paired glands located at 4 O' Clock and 8 O' Clock position on either side of the anus. They are found in a large number of mammals including dogs and cats.
These glands secrete a liquid in a small quantity which remains inside the sacs and when the dog poops, the sacs get compressed and the liquid comes out with the stool. It is believed that this helps in lubricating the faecal mass and thus helps in its expulsion. Another school of thought believes that the liquid helps the dogs in marking their territories. Hence, these glands are also called as Scent glands.
Normally, all goes well but sometimes the glands / sacs are unable to express themselves and the liquid inside them slowly becomes thick and viscous resulting in pain and discomfort to the dogs. The pain is manifested by the dogs in many ways like whimpering, attempting to bite the anal region, awkward sitting posture, fever etc. However, the classical symptom that goes with the problem is "scooting" by the dog. The dog actually rubs its posteriors on the floor, carpet or any hard object to relieve itself. More often than not, this is the stage which draws the attention of the unsuspecting owner. This condition is called as the impaction of the anal sacs.
Now, almost all dogs suffer from this problem one time or the other. Though, smaller breeds tend to suffer more commonly. However, the good news is that it generally responds well to the line of the treatment. Unfortunately, if the condition progresses further without any veterinary intervention then infection may set in or there may be abscessation and ultimately it may lead to the rupture of the sacs.
Generally, the treatment commences with the expression of the anal sacs. It can be done by the dog's handler, veterinary groomers, veterinarians, just about any body (read no rocket science). It is a simple non invasive procedure that barely takes a minute and the dog feels immensely relieved. In this procedure, the thumb and the index finger are placed strategically near the anal glands and squeezed which leads to the anal glands getting compressed and thus getting expressed. This results in a foul smelling, viscid, pasty substance being voided out. The procedure almost instantly gives relief to the dog.
Occasionally, a dog may have a relapse. In such a case the anal sacs are expressed again and a course of antibiotics or steroids may be required to be given. However, the best way to avoid such a situation cropping up is by ensuring periodic expression of the anal glands say once a week or may be fortnightly. Increasing the fibre content of the dog also helps as it increases the volume of the poop thus compressing the glands and allowing them to express.
A word of caution though! The discharge of the anal sacs is pretty stinky and while trying to express them many an uninitiated souls have their faces smeared by it! So better watch out!
(Photograph from the kind courtesy of - http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-empty-your-dogs-anal-sacs.html)
