A strange question...?

Question

I have three dogs now and have had dogs most of my life. I have read about this gland dogs have near their anus and that it needs to be drained sometimes, but I have never heard a veternarian discuss it with me not one time anytime I have taken my dogs to the vet for their annuals.
My question is, just how important is the draining of this gland and why hasn't any of my vets ever mentioned it?

Answer 1

not all dogs require the anal glands to be cleaned - if they start scooting their bums on the ground this is a sign they need cleaning -
dog groomers can do this too BUT it should be noted that once you clean a dogs anal glands you always need to do it.. as such unless they need to be cleaned - leave it alone.

Answer 2

This is something that occurs most often in small dogs, and dogs with allergy problems. It is their anal glands. If they get to full, and the dogs can't express them themselves (most do when they use the bathroom) they will end up with an anal gland abscess which is painful and hard to cure. If the vet has never discussed it with you it's most likely because your dog expresses it's own anal gland and does not need to have it done at the vet.

Answer 3

Most dogs empty their anal glands when they have a bowel movement.Sometimes,though,the gland can get clogged,or infected,and then a vet needs to drain it and administer antibiotics.If a dog has an anal gland problem,it will usually "scoot" on it's rear end a lot,and there is a VERY pungent odor.You would notice it,believe me!

Answer 4

They are called anal glands. When we empty them for a dog, it is called "expressing" them. Not all dogs need this done, so unless you have mentioned something to your vet that makes it sound like they are bothering the dog, they aren't going to mention it. Just like they wouldn't talk to you about pain medication unless it was necessary.
Usually a dog needs their anal glands expressed if they are scooting on their bumm, or if they are licking/chewing under their tail. Small dogs and obese dogs seem to be most prone, but it can happen to any dog. If your dog doesn't have a problem, you don't worry about it. But, if your dog did have a problem with their anal glands emptying, it is important to have them expressed because it can be painful, and if they get too full, they can rupture.

Answer 5

It's important, but only if it's bothering your dog. If the gland gets full, the dog will be uncomfortable. Usually, then you bring your dog to the vet and then they'll tell you you need to do it. You'll know the dog needs it done if they scoot their butt along the carpet a lot or have a fishy-butt smell coming from their behind. Then you can take them to a groomer or the vet and have them do it. You can do it yourself, too, but it's a nasty job. Many dogs empty theirs when they poop, and don't often need theirs expressed. But others need it done a lot because they don't/can't empty it on their own. Maybe that's why your vet never mentioned it.

Answer 6

They're called the anal glands. A lot of vets and groomers express them as a matter of course.

If your dog stinks from the rear or starts dragging his butt he may need it. Otherwise they're often cleansed naturally. Sometimes, depending on the dog and the food, they get built up and definitely need to be expressed. But after all, wolves don't have a vet to express their anal glands.

Answer 7

It really only needs to be drained when it clogs up. You will often see a dog scooting his bottom across the floor. What he is doing is expressing/draining the glands him/hereslf. If there is too much butt scooting then the glands are likely compacted and need to be expressed. its VERY stinky LOL I always leave the room when its done.

Answer 8

well semi important because if you don't then if you have a little dog one day when you pick them up they migh pop on you and the anus liquid will comeout...that happened to me the otherday...and usually if you have a big dog they will rub their behing againgst the ground to try to get it to pop or something and then it leaves a wet trail and if they are lying on your bed oneday then they might leave some of the anus liquid if it's draining....i don't know why your vet hasnt mentioned it to you ..maybe it's because they are never full when they come for a check up and they can drain the anus liquid all by themself..i don't know they have never talked to me either..i just heard about it from my neighbor

Answer 9

this is something that is more so a problem with small breeds, its rarely someting you have to deal with in large breeds (45lbs and up).
When a dog scoots on the floor its usally trying to relive the pressure. They are senting glands and without realese they will build up, most dogs express them with normal fecal movements. If you take your dog to a groomer then she/he does it.
To express them yourself (i recomend groomer/vet) be prepaird, it stinks worse than poo, hold the tail strait up, place two fingers on the outside of the anus, not the hole but were the fur starts to meet the skin and push in and squeez, its quite projectal so be aware.. See i told you youd want some one else to do it...

Answer 10

Trust me if your dogs have this you and your vet will know. It SMELLS to high heaven. Most dogs drain this automatically when they do their business, but some dogs do not. Those are the dogs who have to have it drained manually.

Answer 11

well my dog kept on dragging his butt on the ground and one of my brothers friends said that they need their anal glands drained so my mom just applied pressure around his anus and stuff came out. but it smells really bad. but i dont think you need to do it that much hope i helped