Anal Gland Expression

Anal gland expression is a smelly but necessary part of canine care. Never fear, we have well trained veterinary technicians to help with this task.

Dogs have two small glands on either side of their anus that excrete a smelly fluid at the time of a bowel movement or sometimes when they are frightened. Occasionally, some dogs will experience discomfort when their anal glands do not express naturally. For routine anal gland expression, one of our registered veterinary technicians will express the glands manually. If left untreated, blocked anal glands can become infected and quite painful. They can even rupture through the skin if an abscess form. Fortunately, most dogs do not suffer from this condition but if you notice any signs of discomfort such as redness, licking, chewing, or dragging their behind on the floor, please give us a call to arrange an appointment.

Should I attempt to express my dog’s anal glands at home?

It is best to leave this to the professionals. Your dog may also feel very uncomfortable and may bite if not properly restrained.

If my dog scoots on the carpet, does this mean their anal glands are impacted?

This is not a reliable indication of an anal gland issue. However, it does indicate your dog is experiencing some discomfort for one reason or another. If you notice this behaviour, please give us a call to book an appointment for an examination of your dog’s hindquarters.