All dogs have anal glands. Most of the time your dog won't need any help from you, but sometimes these glands get impacted and require human or even veterinary intervention to clear them out. Most dog owners know about anal glands from the stinky odor they give off. But while these glands may be gross, they still sometimes need some extra love and care.

New Client Inquiries: Inquiry bklynbark. Current clients: Schedule bklynbark. Sometimes veterinary medicine is all about cute kittens and doggie kisses. At the opposite end of the spectrum is caring for anal glands. Brooklyn Bark caught up with Dr. Chris of North Slope Veterinary who had just finished expressing a pup's anal glands. Brooklyn Bark: Does my dog have anal glands?

As a pet parent, you likely know that many dog anal glands need expressing every once-in-a-while. Why do we need to express anal glands in dogs? You might recognize the main sign of infection or anal discomfort in your dog by this signature move: the scoot. Dog scooting is when a dog drags their rear ends across your floors. Another sign of anal gland issues is when they excessively gnaw on or lick their butt.

The secreted substance is normally an oily, brownish fluid that packs a strong odor. Liquid held inside the sac is usually expelled when a dog defecates, but if this does not occur on a regular basis, the material inside thickens, which makes it harder to pass. Then you see your dog scooting his bum on the ground or licking around the area. If the anal glands are not emptied they can become impacted and an abscess can form, which then bursts through the skin leaving a smelly, bloody, painful mess.