Have you ever seen a dog slide across the ground? Some people who have never seen it think it is funny, but for the dog it is not funny at all!
Gliding is when a dog uses its hind legs to drag its butt across the floor, sometimes quite quickly. It is usually a sign that something is irritating the dog and the reason is almost always that its anal glands are full, or worse, impacted.
These inflamed anal glands can really affect a dog’s quality of life and therefore our quality of life because no one wants to see their pet suffer.
So what are anal tassels?
Dogs have two anal sacs, also called anal glands, one on each side of the anus. They are located at 4 and 8 o’clock. These glands produce VERY stinky fluid as far as humans judge, but by which dogs will recognize themselves by smelling in the general area of the anus.
These bags secrete this fluid when the dog has a bowel movement. At that time, due to pressure on the glands, they will excrete (excrete) some of the fluid at the edge of the anus.
If the anal acorns are not emptied properly, they make a dog’s bowel movement painful, which could lead to infections. This is where the slippage happens – the dog drags his butt across the floor for some relief.
To avoid this and help keep your dog healthy, most people take their dogs to the vet to have the glands fully expressed. You can do it yourself if you are willing to put up with the stench and clutter. You can use the analogy of changing your own oil in your car or taking it to a mechanic to avoid the mess. Your choice!
So how do you know when something may be wrong with anal tassels? Here are some possible signs and symptoms:
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Scooting
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Blood on the carpet stool
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A bad smell that does not smell like feces.
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Lick and chew around the dog’s bottom to relieve irritation from the full glands.
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Straining and painful bowel movements (it hurts when you have a bowel movement)
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Diarrhea
However, you may see more adverse symptoms, which means there is an infection, such as:
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An inflamed area around the anus with a possible abscess or hole that discharges pus
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Blood or pus on the floor from the discharge
If this occurs, immediately take your dog to your vet for treatment. If you ignore these signs, your dog can become seriously ill and even die.
Some dogs continually get anal gland infections, so your vet may want to remove them, preventing future problems. Don’t worry, if this procedure is performed, the dog will not suffer if he does not have anal glands.
Bottom line: be on the lookout for displacement or any of the above symptoms. If they are present, take your dog to the vet. It will make a happier life for both you and your dog.
But before I go, let me explain how the anal glands empty:
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Wash your dog’s bottom well with soap and water and rinse well.
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Wear a pair of latex gloves from any drugstore because it can get messy
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Raise the tail so you can easily feel the tassels.
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Place your fingers at the 4 and 8 o’clock position and gently squeeze them together, starting at the bottom; you will see the liquid come out.
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Wipe off the liquid and wash and rinse the area. Remember, the liquid can have a very bad odor, so make sure its backside is clean and odorless.
And that is. If you don’t want to do the procedure yourself (and many people don’t after the first experience), take your dog to the vet.
Here’s a tip: sometimes your hairdresser will do the procedure, but now always. This can save you money, especially if the dog is being groomed at the same time.
So, in short, if you want to keep your dog comfortable and your floors clean, watch for signs of anal gland discomfort and do something about it right away. Your dog will thank you.
