Paraanal glands in dogs: where are they located, how are they treated and how to cleanse them

The paraanal glands are the skin glands of a dog that enter the rectum or are located near the anus. The paraanal glands are derived from the sebaceous and sweat glands, their secret has a strong odor, its color is light yellow, and the consistency is liquid and is a protection, with its help dogs mark territory and attract the opposite sex.

In healthy dogs, the release of the paraanal glands occurs regularly, during each bowel movement, and sometimes “shoot” during active games or during stress. That is, many dogs cleanse themselves, sometimes the owners do not even have a clue about the presence of these glands.

Causes of diseases of the paraanal glands

If the secret accumulates, then suppuration occurs in the glands and pathogenic bacteria begin to multiply. There are several reasons why diseases of the paraanal glands can occur:

• the dog moves a little;
• the dog has a genetic predisposition;
• the pet has a weakened immune system;
• the presence of any injuries;
• due to malnutrition dogs often suffer from stool disorder, for example, due to semi-finished products or frequent use of bones;
• dog hygiene.

How does inflammation manifest itself and how is it treated?

If the paraanal glands in the dog are inflamed, you should contact the clinic. Inflammation manifests itself as follows:

• blockage of the paraanal and anal glands. Due to the fact that the natural outflow is disturbed, and the anal and paraanal sinuses are overflowing with secretions. First the dog is not worriedhowever, when the secret thickens (the color becomes dark brown) and flakes appear, the dog begins to feel painful any touch on the hips and tail. There is severe itching due to the fact that the secret is absorbed into the blood. The dog begins to constantly itch and lick the skin at the base of the tail;
• inflammation of the paraanal and anal glands. The entry of bacteria into the wound can lead to an inflammatory process in the paraanal glands and tissues that surround the glands. If the gland is not released from the secret in time, then an abscess occurs.

An abscess of the paraanal glands is similar to an open ulcer – a small hole is formed and a yellowish gruel constantly flows out through it. going on inflammation of adjacent tissues and painful sensations. The situation is aggravated by the fact that the dog constantly bites and licks the sore.

Treatment occurs in the following ways:

• drainage is established and the abscess is flushed with saline in combination with some mild disinfectant. For a closed abscess wet hot compresses until the abscess matures, after which the doctor opens it and rinses it. An ointment containing broad-spectrum antibiotics is placed in the sinus, for example, cephalexin;
• rectal suppositories are prescribed (ichthyol, procmosedil);
• the dog is given novocaine blockades with antibiotics;
• the dog is prescribed a course of antibiotics from five to fifteen days;
• in severe cases, the dog’s anal sinuses are removed.

Cleaning and prevention of paraanal glands

As a preventive measure, it is necessary to cleanse the canine glands every three or nine months. After cleansing, the place must be treated with chlorhexidine using a napkin, and then a rectal ichthyol suppository should be inserted to neutralize the remaining secret. Prevention also requires wash the anal area with warm soapy water, for mechanical cleansing of the glands.

Cleansing of the paraanal glands can be done in two ways.

1. First you need to find two dimples that are near the anus. If the hole is represented as a clock, then the glands correspond to five and seven hours. It is better to cleanse the glands before washing the dog. The tail must be drawn as far as possible towards the back so that the ducts are slightly open. Then, using a napkin, you need to press lightly on both sides in the anal area with two fingers. The secret that stands out must be removed with a napkin, and then wash the dog.
2. You need to put on a medical glove, after lubricating it with petroleum jelly, after which the index finger is slowly inserted into the rectum. The index finger and thumb must make massaging movements, squeezing out the secret from both sides. After this procedure, it is recommended to put anti-inflammatory candles for three days.

In dogs, brushing is a major source of anxiety, so one person is unlikely to be able to handle the process. Need a helper to hold the pet. Everything must be done carefully and quickly. If the dog is small, this will not be possible.

One cleaning is usually enough for six months, however, in some animals, the filling of the glands occurs very quickly, so they need to do the procedure every week. If you can’t do the cleaning yourself, you need to be sure to contact the veterinarianotherwise complications will not keep you waiting.

When is a saculectomy done?

Saculectomy is the removal of the anal glands. There are times when doctors recommend removing the glands so that a relapse does not happen again. Saculectomy is seen as a way out by those owners whose pets need help every week. If the glands are not inflamed, then cleaning is painless, but it is very unpleasant. In addition, not everyone is ready to subject their pet to weekly torment.

If severe tissue damage occurs during an abscess, the doctor removes the glands. They are are not vital organs and carrying out an uncomplicated operation is more humane than the permanent treatment of inflamed and festering tissue.

If, after good treatment, an abscess begins to occur frequently, then anal sacs are also recommended to be removedso that immunity is not undermined due to constant loads from antibiotics that must be given to the dog.

With chronic blockage of the paraanal glands, a saculectomy should be done. This applies to cases where this problem occurs very often. When a blockage occurs, the ducts close, and the secret has no way to go out, even when trying to cleanse the glands. In this case, only a doctor helps, but it is one thing when this happens rarely and quite another – every week.

Removing pouches is not a complicated operation. The doctor makes two small incisions over the glands in the skin, then they are brought out and cut off. The rectum with the anal ring is not affected, so that the dog empties on its own a day after the operation and feels good: eats, drinks, plays and sleeps. To prevent stretching of the seams, it is better to feed him light food and walk as often as possible, because until the dog is fully recovered, it is strictly forbidden for the pet to endure the urge.