Woofside Dog Grooming
At: 42 Keswick Gardens, Ruislip, HA4 7XN Tel: 07402 30 35 34 Email: lisa@woofside.co.uk
“Can you also express my dog’s anal glands?”
About Anal Glands
Anal glands, or anal sacs, are small glands located on either side of a dog's anus, just below the skin between the external and internal sphincter muscles. Unlike humans, dogs have these glands to produce a strong-smelling, oily liquid used for identification and marking territory. This explains why dogs sniff each other's bottoms when they meet (Kennel Club).
Anal Gland Blockage
Anal gland blockages are usually a one-off problem but can be ongoing in dogs with narrow gland openings, chronic diarrhoea, allergic skin disease, and also in dogs that are overweight (PDSA).
Symptoms
- Scooting (dragging bottom along the ground)
- Nibbling and licking the anus and/or lower back
- Pain when pooing or when their back end is touched
- Straining to poo
- Sitting down or looking around at their back end
No, sorry, a trained vet or nurse should
do it. Here's why...
Treatment
If you suspect your dog has blocked anal glands, The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) advises that anal gland expression should only be performed by a vet or RVN due to the risks of incorrect technique, including pain, infection, and anal sac rupture, especially with external expression. Vets can perform internal expressions for complete emptying and to check for abnormalities like growths, whereas groomers generally only perform external expression, which is less effective and riskier.
The BDGA (The British Dog Groomers’ Association) also agree and advise that this should be dealt with by a trained vet.