Anal Gland Expression

Normally, dogs express their anal glands naturally when they have a bowel movement but sometimes they may get full and difficult to express naturally for a number of reasons. Your veterinarian can examine your dog to determine if your pet is having issues expressing their anal glands and offer advice on how to prevent it from re-occurring.

Should I drain my dog’s anal glands at home?

If your pet’s anal gland is not bothering them, it is best to leave them to express naturally during a bowel movement. If your vet recommends regular expressing of your pet’s anal glands and there are no serious issues, and you not squeamish at the thought, one of our lovely technicians would be happy to teach you!

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

Dogs can “scoot” their bums for a number of reasons such as full anal glands, intestinal parasites, skin irritations or irritations to their vulva in the case of female dogs. Your veterinarian will be able to examine your dog and determine the cause of the scooting and help your pet feel better.