Expert Reviewed How to Express a Dog’s Anal Gland

Bhumit Vyas April 30, 2018 Comments Off Helping Dogs

Your dog’s anal glands are two grape-shaped glands located just below the anus to either side. The pheromones they secrete give canines vital information about one another, including health, age, and sex. This explains why dogs sniff each other’s rears when they meet and insist on taking a whiff of every poop they pass on their morning walk. Sometimes the fluid in anal glands can build up, causing your dog to lick or bite his anus and “scoot” his bottom around on the floor after or before defecation. This can happen to any breed, though small dogs are particularly prone to anal sac disorders.^[1] Expressing anal glands is a fairly easy process that can help keep your dog comfortable and healthy. While the veterinarian will do this for you, it’s also possible to save yourself a trip to the vet’s office and do it yourself. Remember, though: before attempting this for the first time, do consult a veterinarian, as improper or unnecessary expression can lead to health problems.

Part1

Preparing to Express Your Dog’s Anal Glands

1
Look for certain signs of anal gland issues. When there’s a problem with the anal glands, may dogs exhibit certain symptoms, which you should learn to recognize. Be sure to ask a veterinarian if you’ve never had this issue before: these symptoms may be a sign of other underlying issues, such as parasites, a sore bottom from diarrhea, or a food allergy, so it’s a good idea to let a vet examine your dog. This way you can either rule out these issues, or get your dog the treatment it needs.^[2] The typical signs of anal gland issues include:
- Scooting
- Excessive licking of the anal area
- Occasional release of anal gland contents at inappropriate times (other than defecation) – you may notice a fishy odor on furnishings or coming from your dog’s anus
- Red skin in the anal area
- Bleeding or pus drainage around the anus (this is a sign that you should call your vet as soon as possible – do not attempt anal expression)^[3]
2

Have a veterinarian demonstrate anal gland expression the first time. If you’ve never expressed your dog’s anal glands, ask your veterinarian for a demonstration. She can do the first gland, and then you can try expressing the second one in her presence.^[4]
3
Gather your materials. Typically, three to four damp paper towels and a pair of latex gloves will be sufficient. If you want to wash the dog, also have ready whatever shampoo or other dog-friendly soaps you use, as well as plenty of towels.
- Latex gloves are preferable to household rubber gloves as they are thinner and more sensitive, allowing you to accurately palpate the glands.^[5]
4

Recruit a helper if you can. While you can do this process on your own (if your dog is cooperative), it may help to have someone there to hold the dog as you work.
5

Put on old clothes. The pheromones secreted by the anal glands are very stinky. It’s a good idea to wear old clothes that you can take off and wash easily.^[6]
6
Secure the dog in a small room. Often, the bathroom works well for this purpose, especially if you bathe your dog in the tub. You just want to make sure the dog can’t struggle free and run off during the process.
- The dog should be on an easy-to-clean surface.
- Since the process can be somewhat messy, pairing an expression with a bath is usually a smart idea.

Part2

Expressing the Anal Glands Externally

1

Position the dog in front of you in a standing position. Its rear end should be facing you. If you have a partner, they should secure the dog by wrapping one arm around the neck and the other at the side of the body, hugging the dog close to them.^[7]
2
Lift the dog’s tail, rolling it up to expose its anus. You should be at level with the dog’s bottom, in a position that is comfortable to maintain.
- While the process shouldn’t take too long (about five minutes), the first time may require a little extra time and patience. Make sure you’re in a comfortable position.
- The procedure won’t hurt your dog, but if the glands are particularly swollen or impacted, your pet might be guarding their backside more than usual. Be careful and pay attention to your pet’s body language.
3

Try not to frighten your dog. Talk to it, stroke it, and attempt to keep things as relaxed as possible.^[8] You yourself should stay relaxed, as well: this will help things go smoothly.
4
Locate the anal glands. Place two fingers (thumb and forefinger) on either side of the anus. The anal glands are beneath the skin, just under the anus, at approximately 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock. If the glands are full, you will feel a slight bulge, about cherry-sized, when pressing inward just below the anus.
- Emptying the glands depends on pressing in the right place. If you can’t feel the “cherries,” you are either in the wrong place or the glands don’t need emptying.
- Sometimes only one gland may be full. This could be a sign that the glands were functioning normally but that one has become infected or impacted. Call your vet before attempting to express the sac. This could require a round of antibiotics.^[9]
5

Milk the glands upwards and inwards toward the anus. Keeping your thumb and forefinger on the glands, gently apply pressure up and in, in the direction of the anus. You should not squeeze continuously, but rather in gentle pulses.^[10] Don’t apply too much pressure: no more than you would apply to your own closed eye.^[11]
6
Watch the dog’s bottom for expressed liquid. If you’re milking correctly, the liquid should be coming out in slow drips.
- If nothing is coming out, try adjusting the position of your fingers.
- The liquid smells strongly of fish and may be anything from a clear, smooth consistency to a brownish, grainy substance.^[12]
- If the discharge is bloody or especially pasty, do not continue. See your vet as soon as possible about a possible impaction or infection.
7
Stop after a few tries if nothing comes out. You may want to try again another day. Repeated milking can be painful and cause bruises, which only exacerbates the issue.^[13] Or, the glands may be impacted, which requires veterinary intervention.^[14]
- Don’t force the expression. It may be difficult to express the anal sacs of large dogs because they are located deeper internally. If this is the case, don’t persist and hurt the dog. Seek veterinary attention because the sacs may need emptying via an internal procedure (placing a gloved finger in the rectum, which is best done by a professional!).
8

Continue to milk until the glands have emptied. You’ll know they’re empty when the sacs are barely palpable and there is no more liquid being expressed.^[15]
9

Wipe your dog’s bottom with a paper towel. Do this gently, as your dog may be feeling discomfort associated with the swollen glands.^[16]
10

Give the dog a treat. Praise your dog, pet him, and reward him for his cooperation.
11
Wash the dog’s rear end. Wipe the dog’s rear with a clean paper towel and thoroughly bathe the dog.^[17]
- If your dog won’t tolerate a bath at this point, make sure you at least wash and rinse his bottom before letting him loose.
12
Don’t express the glands more often than necessary. Too much expression can do more harm than good, leading to irritation and loss of muscle tone in the gland (reducing its ability to function normally).^[18]^[19]
- You shouldn’t need to do this more than a few times a year. If your dog has frequent troubles with his glands, see your vet.
- Although dog groomers may practice regular anal gland expression, this is not recommended unless there is a problem with the glands.^[20]

Reference: https://dogwheelchairsindia.com/category/helping-dogs/

Expert Reviewed How to Take Care of an Injured Dog

Bhumit Vyas April 30, 2018 Comments Off Helping Dogs

Just like a person, a dog can be hurt in ways that are both obvious and harder to detect. Unlike a person though, a dog can’t tell you when it hurts or what you should do to help. To know how to care for an injured dog, you must be able to determine what type of injury the dog has. It’s also important to know both how to give immediate care for a recent injury and how to treat a long-term condition.

Assessing the Injury

1
Learn the signs of injury. Sometimes, when a dog has been injured, you’ll be able to see it right away. Other times, the injury will be harder to detect. Make sure to take note of the following signs of injury:^[1]
- Limping or other changes in walking or movement
- Swelling
- Avoidance of touch in certain areas, or barking or whining when touched in a certain spot
- Unexplained and unusual warmth in a certain area
2
Protect yourself. Even a dog which is normally kind and docile is more likely to behave in a hostile way if injured. If you suspect a dog is injured, always take care not to be bitten or otherwise injured.^[2]
- To the extent that you are able, avoid the dog’s face and mouth.
- While your first impulse may be to comfort the animal, do not hug or squeeze it.
- Approach the dog slowly and calmly, to avoid frightening it any more than it may be already.
- Covering the dog’s head gently with a towel or other piece of fabric can sometimes lessen its anxiety during examination.^[3]
3
Muzzle the dog if necessary. If an injured dog attempts to bite you or shows signs of hostility, you may need to cover its mouth to avoid bites.^[4]
- If you already have a muzzle for your dog, carefully put it on him or her.
- If not, you can wrap the dog’s mouth using a towel, stockings, a roll of gauze, or any similar strip of fabric. Wrap it over the dog’s snout and under its chin, being careful not to cover its nose or obstruct its breathing.
- Never muzzle a dog that is vomiting. This can cause it to choke. Never muzzle a dog with chest injuries or a short-snouted dog such as a pug or bulldog.^[5]
4
Examine the dog slowly and carefully. Look the dog over to determine where and how it is injured, being as careful as you can not to startle or further hurt it.^[6]
- Speak gently and calmly to the dog as you examine to help it stay calm.^[7]
- Stop the examination if the dog becomes obviously agitated.
- If the dog has a cut or similar wound, you may need to clip away some of the dog’s fur to get a clear look at how bad it is. Spreading a little petroleum jelly over the wound can prevent hair clippings from getting stuck in it. ^[8]
5
Call a vet immediately if emergency care is needed. Some injuries are minor and can, if necessary, wait to be treated by your regular vet. Life threatening injuries, however, require immediate care, and if your vet isn’t available, you’ll need to contact an emergency veterinary clinic. Get emergency care for the following:^[9]
- Profuse or unstoppable bleeding
- Loss of consciousness
- Inability to stand
- Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
- Paralysis
- Note that if the injured dog is not yours, and you bring it to a vet, you may be responsible for any costs related to its care.^[10]

Method2

Giving First Aid

1
Perform CPR if needed. If a dog is not breathing, you may need to perform CPR. Close the dog’s mouth and place your lips over its nose. Give three to four strong breaths.^[11]
- If the dog does not start breathing on its own, continue to give it 10 to 12 breaths per minute.
- If you can’t detect a heart beat, lay the dog on its side and compress its chest with your hands. Give five compressions per breath.
- Once a dog starts breathing on its own, stop CPR.
2
Move the dog carefully. There is a good chance you will need to move the injured dog, whether you are bringing it home, taking it to a vet, or just trying to get it out of a busy street. An injured dog must be moved gently and with great care.
- If you are able to, splint, bandage or otherwise stabilize wounded areas before moving the dog to reduce the risk of further harm.^[12]
- Confine the dog while moving it so it can’t hurt itself more. If possible, use a pet carrier, but if you don’t have one, punch some holes in a box.
- Larger dogs can be moved using a makeshift stretcher. You can use a board, a door, a rug, or a large blanket, carried by at least two people.
3
Stop any bleeding. If the dog is bleeding from its injury, press down firmly on the injured area with your fingers and palm and apply a firm but not tight bandage. Gauze or a washcloth or towel will often do the trick.^[13]
- If the bandage becomes soaked through with blood, don’t remove it. Place additional materials on top.
4
Apply a tourniquet if necessary. If a dog has an injury on it’s leg or tail that will not stop bleeding, and is gushing blood in a rhythmic way, it may have a damaged artery. You may need to apply a tourniquet to save its life.^[14]
- Wrap the limb in a bandana or other strip of cloth, between the wound and the heart, tightly enough that no blood can pass through.
- Every 15 minutes, loosen the tourniquet so blood can pass through for about 10 seconds. If you don’t, the dog may lose the limb.
- Always seek immediate emergency care for a wound of this nature..
5
Clean and treat lacerations. If the dog has any lacerations that aren’t bleeding, clean them with an antiseptic solution, such as hydrogen peroxide, and dry them. ^[15]
- If you don’t have an antiseptic solution, warm water with a little salt will do.
- Pat the area dry with some sterile gauze. You can apply some ointment if its not an area the dog can lick.
- Keep an eye on the injury in case of infection and make sure to keep it clean for several days.
6
Use a cold compress. For bruising or tenderness, you can give your dog some immediate relief using a cold compress. Gently place something frozen, such as a bag of frozen peas, on the injured area.^[16]
- Cool the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes, then remove the compress. You can reapply as often as every two hours if it seems to be helping.
7
Seek veterinary care. Even for what seems like a minor injury, it is a good idea to seek professional care. You may not be able to detect some injuries, such as those that are internal.^[17]
- For non-emergencies, call your vet and explain the situation. The vet’s office will either make an appointment for you soon or refer you to emergency care if they deem it necessary.
- For serious bleeding or other major injuries, search online for an emergency vet clinic near you and take your dog immediately.

Method3

Treating Long-Term Injuries

1
Give the dog medications. Some injuries last a long time, sometimes even for the rest of the dog’s life. Treating these injuries requires patience and consistency. To begin with, give your dog any medicine your vet prescribes, following all instructions precisely.^[18]
- There are variety of medications available for treating the pain that may result from an injury, from anti-inflammatory medications to opioids and more.^[19] Talk to your vet about the benefits and possible side effects of any medications he or she recommends.
2
Make dietary changes. Changing what your dog eats can also be helpful in treating injuries. For injuries that have resulted from weakened tissue, a high-quality, meat-based diet is best.^[20]
- There are also a number of supplements, foods, and dog treats formulated especially for helping dogs with joint injuries.^[21]
3
Use splints and braces as appropriate. If your dog has sustained an injury that makes it difficult to walk or stand, it may benefit from a splint, brace, or cart. There are number of such products available for both short and long-term use.^[22]
- Your vet will be able to help you select the most appropriate option for your dog.
4
Try gentle massage. Some dogs will benefit from a gentle massage of the injured area, once it is no longer too sensitive. Lightly rub affected areas.^[23]
- If the dog exhibits any sign of discomfort, discontinue this immediately. This should be a pleasant experience for your dog, not a painful one.
5
Keep exercise moderate. An injured dog should not overly exert itself, as this may result in further injury/re-injury of the damaged area. Make sure the dog doesn’t, for example, walk or run for too long on an injured leg.
- Total lack of exercise isn’t a good idea either. This can result in a dog becoming overweight, which can produce its own problems, especially for dogs that have joint injuries.^[24]
6
Try herbal remedies. There are a number of herbal remedies that some people have found helpful in soothing the pain of an injured dog. Although these are not medically proven, you may wish to try the following:^[25]
- Boswellia, bupleurum, cayenne, ginger, turmeric, and yucca have all been used to relieve joint pain in both people and animals. They can be applied in compresses.
- Hot compresses with these herbs, applied for 10 to15 minute intervals every two to four hours may help relieve your dog’s pain.
- A cool compress with peppermint can have an immediate soothing effect.
Referece: https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-an-Injured-Dog