Why do you have to drain a dogs glands?

Question

What are a dogs glands? What is the stuff that comes out when you drain them?

Answer 1

Normally you don't. Anal glands are scent glands located just inside the rectum. Normally, when a dog poops, the passing stool stimulates the release of the glands-leaving a scent behind that marks the dog's territory. Sometimes (particulary small breed dogs) the glands don't empty like they should, or the opening gets blocked, and you have to go and squeeze the anal gland to get the fluid out. But you have to be careful with that, the more often the gland is emptied, the more fluid it will produce. It's a musk scent.

Answer 2

Anal glands are 2 glands next to your dog rectum. When they pass a "normal" firm stool, they push on the glands and the glands express a small amount of potent liquid. These glands are the same glands that skunks have. They are used to mark their scent on things. When scared dogs can squirt this liquid from their glands. If you ever notice a dog constantly licking at their rear end or scooting on their back end it is a good sign that they need their glands expressed. Only vets or vet techs should do this procedure. Glands can get infected and if left to fester they can turn into abcesses. Also they can burst if done by a untrained person. Hope that helps.

Answer 3

A dogs anal glands are left over scent glands that arent really used naturally any more. Some breeds are worse than others and heaven help you if you scare the dog. They are mainly to let other dogs know to avoid an area as something is there that is possibly dangerous. The stuff that comes out is similar to skunk spray but is thicker. Some dogs require them to be drained or they can fill up, become painful and swollen and possibly infected. To help a dog drain them naturally a fibre rich diet to help firm up stools, so when the dog goes, the stools press on the glands and express them naturally. The glands are located inside on either side of the anus and slightly below the anus. I have a doberman who my husband once accidentally knocked off the lounge when she was a puppy, he went to jump up to turn the stove off before he burnt dinner too badly (smoke billowing out of my kitchen), just as she went to crawl into his lap (sneaky girl). She skidded across the floor boards then scooted back under the lounge yelping, the smell, oh my god the smell. Thank god it was on floor boards not carpet.

Answer 4

I am answering under the assumption you are referring to the anal glands.



Anal glands are two small glands located within and on either side of the anus. They are filled with a brown substance that has a very foul, musky smell. The glands are expressed when dogs urinate, defecate or mark their territory. When dogs meet one another they also raise their tails and excrete a small amount of substance.



Dog anal glands are frequently impacted and the problem usually occurs in smaller breeds. Scooting, licking and biting the anal area may indicate compaction or infection. Digital inspection by a qualified veterinarian is indicated, and antibiotic treatment may be necessary if infection is present. Some complications from anal gland compaction, infection, or abcess may occur, including: fistulous tracts leading from the infected sacs and rupturing through the skin.



The problem is associated with poor diet and usually with dogs fed on a low quality commercial pet food. The bulk (grains and other cheap filler) create a stool that is too soft to effectively express the anal glands.



Also, tapeworms will cause a blockage. A pet gets tapeworms from eating fleas. If you see small white rice looking things on his poo, take him to the vet and they can give a wormer specifically for this issue. Over the counter wormers do not treat tapeworms ! They may say they do but there are different types of tapes and the most common can not be treated with over the counter products.

Answer 5

Normally you don't have to express the anal glands, when the dog has a bowel movement, they are automatically expressed. But, some dogs do have problems with their anal glands getting impacted and they do have to be expressed periodically. The stuff that comes out of them is a gooey, extremely smelly goop. The glands are small sacks on either side of the rectum, so you can imagine how gross and stinky it is.

Answer 6

Do you mean anal glands? Sometimes they get clogged. If your dog has anal glands that get clogged, you have to drain them or they will rupture (explode) and the dog will be in agony and need lots of expensive medical care and surgery.



The stuff that comes out of the anal glands is the stuff that gives your dogs feces it's lovely smell. It smells even worse when the glands are clogged and you have to express them.

Answer 7

I, too, never knew anything about a dogs anal glands. Than, I acquired a weiner dog!! Apparently, dachshunds and other breeds can have difficult anal glands.

The stuff that comes out is particularly smelly and rank, it is similar in smell to a rotten sardine. Actually, a whole can of rotten sardines. It is the most horrific scent you will ever smell, so if your dog has never had problems with his, than THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS!!!!

When my dog gets stressed, he will release some of this less than appetizing odour. Nasty!!

Answer 8

Anal glands are sebaceous glands in the anus that secrete a foul smelling liquid that is used for identification.



Anal glands normally express themselves during BM's

Sometimes they need to be done manually. Some dogs do not have hard enough BM's to make them express on their own..



You can have your vet show you how to express them yourself if needed...



But most people have their vets do it, because it smells terrible.

Answer 9

If a dog isn't being fed a proper diet, not getting enough fibre, their anal glands can become impacted.



They are actually scent glands. Before dogs were domesticated, they were used for marking their territory.

Answer 10

The glands create the individual scent your dogs have. When dogs sniff butts, they are actually smelling the glands. If they are not drained, they can become infected and may have to be removed. One of my dogs had to have hers out because of recurring problems. My current dog is also having "gland problems". It can also have to do with what your dog is allergic to.

Answer 11

I guess you're supposed to drain the dogs anal glands to prevent infection. I don't think this is crucial, I've had dogs all my life and not once have I even attempted this. If you think it's important then you can have your vets do it while they bathe it. I read this in my Dogs for Dummies book.

Answer 12

the dog’s anal glands can get impacted because the dog gets yelled at every time he or she tries to drain them on the rug, (that's what that scooting behavior is all about.)

Answer 13

They are anal glands and poop is in them. Not all dogs have to get them expressed, but if they need to be done, do it. they can get infected.

Answer 14

I've never heard of this and I have 2 dogs, one I've had for 9 yrs so I guess I'll have to ask my vet :oS

Answer 15

yuccccccccccck....



i don't even wanna think about it.....