Cleaning the paraanal glands in dogs

Everyone knows that the care of our four-legged must be comprehensive. Eyes, ears, paws, etc. need care. But often we forget about another important place that requires attention. This is a cleaning of the paraanal glands in a dog.

In the photo: if the dog gnaws on the anus, this is one of the signs that it is time to clean the paraanal glands

Obstruction of the anal glands in dogs

The paraanal glands in a dog are special paired sacs, they are located on both sides of the rectum at the junction with the anus. These glands produce a special secret with a pungent odor reminiscent of rotten herring. With the help of the allocated secret, animals mark the territory, this is a kind of decoy for the opposite sex. 

In the absence of pathology, the paraanal glands are self-cleaning during defecation. But sometimes a blockage develops, the secret is not excreted on its own, and inflammation of the paraanal glands occurs in the dog. The causes of blockage can be irregular walks, constipation, an insufficiently active lifestyle, helminthic invasions, malnutrition, anus injuries. 

Cleaning the paraanal glands in dogs: when and how?

It is important to remember that if the dog cleans the glands on its own, there is no need to touch them: mechanical cleaning of the paraanal glands in a dog provokes an increase in secretion and further problems with its withdrawal. 

How do you know if your pet needs help? With excessive accumulation of secretion, the animal feels discomfort, the animal can ride on the priest, lick, gnaw the anus, an unpleasant odor and redness appear. In this case, it is worth contacting a veterinarian who will clean the paraanal glands in a dog.

In the photo: cleaning the paraanal glands in a dog