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CANINE ANAL SACS
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Anal sacs are often also called anal glands even though
they technically are not truly glandular in structure. Few topics
raise dog owners’ eyebrows (and lower dogs’ tails) faster than the
subject of anal sacs! These two small repositories of foul smelling
material technically are small pouches lined with cells whose job it
is to continually produce an oily semi-liquid substance that is stored
within the sac. It accumulates the heck are they for?’
For a credible response I draw on my extensive knowledge of
A typical examination of a patient with anal sac disease
(usually an impaction or infection) hoes like this...
"You think it’s his what?” asked the incredulous owner
of the uncomfortable Basset Hound on the exam table. I restated
my diagnosis, knowing the owner probably never heard the term anal
sacs before.
“Barkley has an anal sac infection. See how swollen
and inflamed it is next to his anus. In fact the abscess is
nearly ready to break through to the surface of the skin. We’ll
need to open this abscess and allow the infection to drain, and then
we’ll flush it, check the other anal sac, and send him home on antibiotics.
Warm compresses for a few days will speed up the healing, too.”
WHAT ARE THEY
Anal sacs are small paired pockets located between the
internal and external anal sphincter muscles, one on each side of
the anus at the 4 and 8 o’clock position. The sac empties through
a short and narrow duct to the surface near the inside edge of the
anus. Each sac is lined with abundant sebaceous (oil) glands and
numerous apocrine (sweat) glands. The secreted substance is a
semi-oily, brownish fluid that packs an odor strong enough to gag a maggot!
For unknown reasons some dogs' anal sacs produce a rather thick, semi-solid
material which is much more prone to impacting the sac due to the sac's
inability to pass this semi-solid material through the narrow duct to the
outside. In many of these cases the sac will become infected, cause
pain and inflammation and even break through to the skin surface.
The abscessed anal sac may need surgery to provide drainage and curettage
of the damaged and infected sac and surrounding tissue. Antibiotics
are indicated in abscessed anal sac disease.
WHAT THEY DO
One study indicated that anal sac disorders affects about
12% of dogs. There are a number of theories why dogs, cats, skunks,
and other mammals have anal sacs and what possible use they may have.
One theory states that anal sac contents, when excreted with the passing
stool or by anal sphincter muscle contraction, act as a powerful territorial
scent marker somewhat akin to humans posting a No Trespassing sign.
Another theory states that the anal sac material lubricates hard stool,
which makes passage easier. Humans do not have anal sacs.
It’s bad enough that some humans get hemorrhoids, which are dilated,
irritated blood vessels at the anus; luckily, dogs do not get hemorrhoids.
CAUSES OF ANAL SAC PROBLEMS
There are no predictable antecedents to painful anal
sac disorders. Infections, obstruction and subsequent overfilling
(called impaction), and rupture with drainage through the perianal
skin are the most common clinical presentations. Anal sphincter
muscle dysfunction, enlarged anal sacs that are not compressed
properly by the anal sphincter muscle, hypersecretion from the anal
sac lining, obstructed or constricted anal sac ducts all may be predisposing
circumstances for anal sac problems.
IMPACTED ANAL SACS
Some dogs may be born with very narrow channels that
lead from the sacs to the edge of the anus, thereby obstruction the
flow of anal sac material. Acquired damage to the duct can
occur when perianal infections, trauma, allergies and inflammation
compress or obstruct the narrow channel leading from the sac to the
surface. For unknown reasons some dogs produce a thick or dry
material from the sac lining which makes passage of the material through
the narrow ducts impossible.
AGE/BREED CONSIDERATIONS
There is no age or sex predisposition to anal sac pathology.
Uncommon in large breeds, infections and impactions are often experienced
by small breeds such as Toy and Miniature Poodles, Chihuahuas,
and Lhasa Apsos. Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, and Beagles
rank high on the list of breeds affected by anal sac difficulties.
DIET
Some groomers and animal health care workers believe
feeding a diet rich in fiber aids in emptying the sacs. The pressure
of the firm stool against the colon wall near the anus may help to
express the anal sac contents. Dogs that have an existing problem
such as infection or obstructed ducts, though, probably won’t respond
to dietary changes; modifying the diet with more or less fiber yields
inconsistent benefits. As a practitioner for over 35 years I have
seldom seen a change of diet have any beneficial impact on the frequency
of anal sac problems.
GROOMERS
There is a difference of opinion regarding routine expressing
of the anal sacs. For example, veterinarian Mark Thompson in
his presentation about anal sacs in Current Veterinary Therapy XIII,
suggests routine manual expressing of the anal sacs should not be
done in a normal dog with no anal sac issues. Many groomers make
it a matter of routine, though, to express the anal sacs of their dogs.
Certified Master Groomer Sherri Glass, for example, has been grooming
dogs for 14 years and has taught grooming for 5 years at Cornerstone Dog
Grooming Academy in Clyde, OH. She relates, “I teach students to
empty anal glands on all small dogs, about 20 pounds or less in size.
We also do any size dog at owners request. If dog owners would meet
their dogs nutritional needs with high quality food, keep them at proper
weight, and provide plenty of good exercise, most dogs would not have to
have the anal sacs expressed.” Mr. Jeffrey Reynolds, Director
of the National Dog Groomers Association of America says “In states were
it is legal for groomers to express anal sacs, many groomers express them
externally only either as a part of the grooming procedure or at the owners
request. When there is evidence that the sacs are impacted, then they
are not expressed and the owner is advised to bring the dog to the vet.”
HOW TO RECOGNIZE A PROBLEM
There is an 88 percent chance the thought of anal sacs
will never even occur to you. However, if your dog is one
of the 12 percent that scoots his rear bumper along the carpet, frequently
turns to lick or bite at the base of his tail or anal region, or displays
discomfort when passing stool, it would be advisable to make an appointment
with the veterinarian. If left untreated, anal sac impactions,
infections and abscesses can be a reoccurring nuisance for your dog so
be proactive about an evaluation if your dog displays any discomfort in
the tail or anal region.
THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION
“Do-it-yourself-anal-sac-expressing” can be done at home
once your veterinarian has instructed you. (Yuck… be careful
about contact with anal sac secretions or you’ll be very unpopular
with yourself and others!) Some cases respond to infusion of the
sacs with antibiotics in addition to oral medication. In chronic
cases, careful surgical removal of the anal sacs can be curative; the
dog never has another annoying bout of anal sac disease. Be sure
to discuss the pros and cons of surgery if chronic problems lead you
in that direction.
Copyright © 1998 Canine Inherited Disorders
Database. All rights reserved.
Revised: October 30, 2001.
This database is funded jointly by the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre
at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, and
the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
Permission to reprint is granted by
Alice Crook, DVM Coordinator, Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre
Atlantic Veterinary College University of Prince Edward Island
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THE PET HEALTH LIBRARY
Wendy
C. Brooks, DVM, DipABVP
Educational
Director, VeterinaryPartner.com
http://www.veterinarypartner.com
Anal Sacs
More Than
You Ever Wanted to Know About Anal Sacs, Or Why Is My Pet Scooting?
What on Earth Are Anal Sacs?
Anal sacs (also called anal glands) are two small glands just
inside your pet's anus. The material secreted into these glands is
thick and foul smelling. Most animals can empty these glands voluntarily
for scent marking or in self-defense, like a skunk might.
Domestic animals have largely
lost their ability to empty these sacs voluntarily. Walking around and
normal defecation usually serves to empty the glands but some animals
become unable to empty their glands on their own at all. The sacs become
impacted and uncomfortable. Dogs with impacted anal sacs usually scoot
their rear on the ground in an attempt to empty the glands. Some dogs will
lick their anal area and other dogs will chase their tails. Cats often lick
the fur off just under their tails.
What Happens if an Impacted
Sac Doesn't Get Emptied?An abscess can form and rupture out through
the skin. This is a painful, messy, and pretty smelly condition often mistaken
for rectal bleeding. If an anal sac abscess forms, it must be properly treated
by your veterinarian. Antibiotics will be needed.
How Often Should Anal Sacs
Be Emptied?
This is a highly individual situation. The best recommendation
is to let the pet tell you when the sacs are full. If the pet starts
scooting again, it is time to bring him in.
What if My Pet's Sacs Seem
to Require Emptying All the Time?
To avoid the expense of having the sacs emptied, you can learn
to empty them yourself at home but most people feel it is well worth
having someone else perform this service. A non-invasive technique that
helps some patients is a change to a high fiber diet. This will produce
a bulkier stool that may be more effective in emptying the sac as it passes
by.
If the sacs need to be emptied
every few weeks or more, you may opt to have the sacs permanently removed.
This procedure is complicated by many local nerves controlling fecal
continence, the fact that any change in the local musculature of the
anal sphincter area can affect fecal continence, and the fact that with
chronic anal sac problems anatomy is distorted. Draining tracts can develop
after surgery if the gland is not completely removed. Still, despite these
pitfalls, anal sac removal is considered a relatively simple surgery by
most board certified surgery specialists. If this procedure is to be done
we generally recommend that a specialist (a veterinarian with extensive experience
with anal sacculectomy) perform it.
Many people own pets for years
without ever learning that anal sacs exist at all, and the wives' tale
that worms cause scooting erroneously continues. If you have further
questions about anal gland disease, ask your veterinarian.
What To Do About Scooting?
The first step is to check the anal sacs when any pet has a
history of scooting. The anal sacs can be emptied in one of two ways,
externally or internally.
What If Scooting Continues?
If scooting continues for more than a few days after sac emptying,
the sacs should be re-checked. For some individuals, it takes several
sac emptyings in a row before the sacs stay emptied. If the sacs are
empty and scooting is persisting, another cause (such as itchy skin or
lower back pain) should be pursued.
Externally Internally
A rag or tissue is held up to the anus and both sides of the
anal area are squeezed. If the secretion is very pasty, this method may
be inadequate to empty the sacs. A lubricated gloved finger is inserted
in the anus and the sac is squeezed between thumb and forefinger into
a tissue held externally. The full anal gland feels like a grape in
the location as shown in the top illustration. The emptying procedure
is repeated on the opposite side.
If the sacs have been emptied
adequately, the scooting should resolve in a couple of days.
Date
Published: 1/1/2001
copyright 2001 - 2007 by the Veterinary Information Network,
Inc. All rights reserved.
This work was originally published by Veterinary
Information
Network, Inc. (VIN) and is republished with VIN's permission.
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Anal Sacs (also Called Anal Glands or Scent Sacs), Their
Function and How to Properly Express Them
Q: My dog drags
his butt on our carpet, outside and everywhere. He seems to be very
uncomfortable. Is there anything I can buy that might give him relief
?
A: Many people own dogs for years without ever knowing about
anal sacs until it becomes quite obvious that their dog is having a problem
and requires a visit to the vet or groomer. Anal sac problems are extremely
common and can cause tremendous pain for your pet.
Anal sacs are two small glands just inside your dog's anus. They
are positioned at about five and seven o’clock in reference to the anus.
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click on image for larger view
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Tiny ducts lead to the tissue just inside the rectum. They appear
to be used for territorial marking thus allowing dogs to identify one another
by means of the 'scent' left behind after defecating. As the pet defecates,
the anal sphincter squeezes the sacs against the hard passing feces causing
the anal secretion to discharge onto the fecal mass.
You have no doubt seen dogs new to one another, try and sniff the
other's rear end. An annoying habit to us humans, it is their natural
way of getting to know that dog and it's particular 'scent'. Again, this
serves as a sign post used to communicate with the other dogs and cats.
When walking about the area and again finding that scent, many dogs will
either urinate beside it (as a manner of acceptance of that dog) or urinate
directly on it (showing dominance or rejection of the dog). Most dogs are
able to empty these glands voluntarily but certain breeds may need a little
help. It also seems that smaller dogs or obese dogs are predisposed to
this problem. In particular, small Poodles, Chihuahuas and Pomeranians
have a high incidence of anal gland problems. If your dog is under 20
lbs., be sure to keep a close eye on this region.
A dog's lifestyle and diet (sedentary or confined for long periods
without the ability to defecate outside when needing to and little or
no fiber in the diet) may all contribute to the dog being unable to empty
their glands on their own.
If your pet has a history of scooting, you can rest assured the
anal sacs need attention. The emptying or 'expressing' of these sacs is
done in one of two ways:
EXTERNALLY: A rag or tissue is held up to the anus
and both sides of the anal area are squeezed. If the secretion is very
pasty, this method may be inadequate to empty the sacs.
INTERNALLY: A lubricated gloved finger is inserted in the
anus and the sac is squeezed between thumb & forefinger into a tissue
held externally. The procedure is repeated on the opposite side. If the
sacs have been emptied adequately, the scooting should resolve in a couple
of days.
You can learn to empty these sacs yourself (a disgusting task akin
to changing a really 'ripe' diaper). The secretion that comes from these
glands is brown in color and about the consistency of water or oil. But
remember, you are doing it for your dogs comfort, hygiene and overall
well being and your dog will be truly grateful for the relief given. If
left untreated, an abscess can form and rupture out through the anus.
This is why the anal sacs should always be checked by the veterinarian
or groomer whenever working with the pet. If the secretion stays in the
sacs for very long it begins to thicken and becomes like peanut butter
in consistency.
At this point it is very difficult to be expressed and subject
to bacterial invasion and abscessation. Once an abscess forms and there
is no route of escape for the secretion and pus, it may rupture through
the skin causing an unsightly mess and a good deal of pain for the pet
(See image below).
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click on image for larger view
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This is often mistaken
for rectal bleeding. If an anal sac abscess forms, it must be properly
treated by your veterinarian and a follow-up with antibiotics will be
needed.
How Often Should Anal Sacs Be Emptied?
This varies from dog to dog. The best recommendation is to watch
your dog's behaviour, if he starts scooting again, it is time to have
a look at the sacs. If the scooting continues for more than a few days after
sac emptying, the sacs should be re-checked. For some dogs, the sacs may
be emptied several times in a row before they stay emptied. If you are
certain the sacs have been properly emptied yet your dog continues scooting,
another cause may be present such as itchy skin, tapeworms, or even lower
back pain.
What If My Pet's Sacs Seem to Require Emptying All the Time?
To avoid the expense of having the sacs emptied by your vet or
groomer, a non-invasive technique that helps some dogs is a change to
a high fiber diet. Give him fresh few baby carrots (two or three times
a week). This may harden his stools and help to express the anal glands
naturally and reduce the likelihood of impaction and subsequent infection.
How Do You Treat This Disease?
Once your dog has had one occurring episode of anal gland disease,
it is more than likely it will develop more episodes. As an owner, you
can help prevent this problem by manually expressing the glands yourself
(or asking if your dog groomer provides this service), every couple of
months. You can also take your dog into your veterinarian's office and
have them do it.
Surgical Removal Of The Glands
If it seems that your dog is having reoccurring problems with anal
gland disease, you can have these glands surgically removed. Because
dogs no longer have a need for these glands, it doesn't hurt to have them
removed and it is the only way to permanently solve the problem.
The Importance Of The Dog’s Anal Gland
By: Kirsten Hawkins
In the movie The Fisher
King there is a rather humorous scene in which Robin Williams’ character
is scooting himself along the ground by digging his heels in and dragging
his bare bottom across the grass. In a jubilant voice he calls out, “Do
you know why dogs do this? It feels GREAT!!”
Actually, that’s not the only reason. Dogs will exhibit this behavior
if the anus or hind quarters are itchy, but it can be a sign of an impacted
anal gland which can be a problem for some dogs.
The anal glands are located on either side of a dog’s anus and,
in the wild, serve as a method of marking the dog’s territory. When
a dog defecates the glands are naturally compressed and secrete a dark,
foul smelling liquid along with the bowel movement. When the sacs are
functioning normally they empty whenever the animal has a bowel movement.
Sometimes, for various reasons, the dog’s anal sacs may become
blocked. When this happens a number of problems can develop. Some are
benign as a foul smell but the can lead to serious problems like diarrhea
and infection. To intervene before a blocked anal gland becomes an issue,
the glands must be expressed.
Expression of the anal glands is a simple medical procedure that
can be performed at home or by a veterinarian. Some people prefer to let
the vet take care of this task because they find it to be an unattractive
duty. To save the expense of a vet, however, it is perfectly acceptable
to express the anal glands yourself.
Expressing the Dog’s Anal Glands:
Expressing the anal glands is a simple matter. You’ll want to
hold the tail up and pull it gently toward the dog’s head. In the other
hand hold a tissue or paper towel and place your thumb on the left side
of the left gland and your forefinger on the right side of the right
gland. Squeeze firmly but not roughly and the glands should empty a brown
or yellowish liquid onto the tissue or towel. Impacted glands will not
empty as easily and may require an internal draining technique. You can
do the internal technique at home as well, but you’ll need surgical gloves
and a tube of KY jelly.
Internal anal gland expression requires that the sacs on either
side of the anus be expressed individually and will require that you
place your thumb on one side of the gland and your forefinger inside
the dog’s rectum in order to squeeze and express the gland. Impacted
glands will be harder to drain and the fluid may be thick and pasty with
a foul odor and a dark brown, grey, or black color.
Infected anal glands may produce a discharge of bloody pus and
can be an indication of a more serious problem. The infection should be
fought with antibiotics so a vet should be contacted immediately if the
dog seems to have such an infection.
About
the Author:
Kirsten Hawkins
is a dog lover and animal expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.doghealth411.com/
Article Source:
www.iSnare.com
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Web Owners comment
From my own experience I have found that if a pet has trouble
clearing the anal glands whilst defacating a handfull of bran in the
food certainly aids the process. It works by enlarging the faeces
so that it clears the glands on exiting the anus.
Val
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Watch This Video on How to
Express Your Dogs Anal Glands
The above information is simply informational.
It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist
you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian
for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.