Anal glands

[Ed Strong]

I often see references in the A&N postings to the emptying of dogs and cats anal glands by the vet. I am probably being very naive but what happens with wild dogs and feral cats? They don't have a person standing by to do this. Also, why is it done? (Sensible answers only please as this is a serious question.)

[lankeela]

Anal glands are situated on either side of the anus. Anal glands are used (particularly in wild animals) to scent mark. Animals in the wild probably eat more roughage, with eating other animals whole including their skin and bones and the contents of their stomachs, so probably have a much different type of poo, which in normal animals will push against the anal glands to empty them as they pass the poo out. Often with processed foods the poos are not hard enough to do this, so they need to be emptied 'manually' or they can become impacted and set up an infection. This is also why you sometimes see dogs 'scooting' their bums along the ground. Emptying them is quite an art as you have to nip them between your finger and thumb with a tissue and squirt the stuff out in the right direction (has been known to hit an unsuspecting novice right in the eye). And boy does it stink!

Sorry you asked?

[lankeela]

Have a look at

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/anal_sacs.html

There is even an interactive demonstration if you click on the dogs tail.

Go on - you know you want to!

[version girl]

how often is it necessary to do this

[sixpence]

My dog is over ten years old and I have never had to do this. And after looking at lankeela's demonstration, I'm really pleased about that!

[lankeela]

Only necessary if the dog is scooting its bum on the floor, or chewing under its tail, or chasing its tail. Many dogs don't ever need it. Some have very deep seated anal glands, and they can actually be removed surgically, they don't need them in domestic environments, as they don't need to scent mark their poo to ward off rivals.

Get your vet to check if you go for vaccinations, or any other
problems.

[Ed Strong]

Thank you lankeela for your informative answers. The reason I asked was that I have a 17(?) yr old neutered tom cat, with half a tail, that we took on as a stray about 10 years ago. He has never been to the vet in the time that we have had him and I thought that perhaps this was something that had to be done.

[lankeela]

Its very rare that cats need it doing, and in the case of your old fella he probably has his fair share of roughage and fibre eating the odd bit of wildlife that dares invade his garden!

[Ed Strong]

Although he is a large cat he has never caught anything (thank god), apart from the odd spider, fly or moth. In fact, the squirrels and pigeons happily carry on feeding within feet of him, even foxes ignore him! It's as if they know he is just a great big soft Bagpuss. He occasionally goes through the motions (hunched shoulders, stalking) but by the time he's done all that the 'prey' has long gone! :-)