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Video: Diseases Of The Anal Glands In Cats And Dogs
2024 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:30
Diseases of the anal glands are common in dogs and cats. Anal glands, also called anal sacs, can become full, infected, and inflamed. Sick animals lick the anus area, "ride" backwards on the floor, or they rarely have an act of defecation.
Location and function of the anal glands. When viewed from behind, the anal glands (or sacs) are located on either side just below the anus. All carnivores, whether they are cats, dogs, or skunks, have anal glands, but different animals use them differently. Skunks - for protection, dogs, first of all, as a means of communication and marking their territory.
Every time cats and dogs have a bowel movement, stool presses on the anal glands and part of the secretion is applied to their surface. Other cats and dogs, smelling it, can accurately tell who it was. In addition, cats and dogs recognize each other by smelling the anus, as each animal's anal glands produce a unique scent.
Diseases of the anal glands. In animals, overflow of the anal glands often occurs, which leads to their inflammation. The reason may be the thickness of the secretion, the consistency of the stool and the exterior of the animal. When they overflow, the animal sits on the back and rubs the anal area on the floor or ground. Both cats and dogs can also lick this body part intensively. Bacteria entering the anal glands through the canal can cause inflammation. This is very painful for the animal, and the first sign of illness is that your pet tries to bite or scratch you when you touch the anus.
Treatment and prevention. When there is too much secretion in the glands, the veterinarian or the owner himself must clear them. To empty them, you need to grab the skin with your fingers from below, around the anus. With gentle movements, squeeze the secret from the glands towards the anus. Some dogs have to do this procedure every 1-2 weeks. To cats - less often.
An abscess of the anal gland should be opened by a veterinarian and the animal is usually given antibiotics for 7-14 days. A warm compress on the affected area can often help relieve pain and reduce swelling. With an abscess, the gland is sometimes re-inflamed, as the resulting scar tissue or other damage can affect the nerves or muscles in the area.
If the animal rarely has problems associated with the anal glands, then the owner can handle it himself. However, if the glands are often of concern, surgical removal is recommended. Together with the removal of the gland, the problems associated with it cease forever. This is a fairly simple operation, but occasionally complications such as heavy bleeding can occur.
Cats with frequent anal congestion should eat a diet high in fiber. This makes the stools looser. There are such commercial foods on the market. Also, animals can be given bran nutritional supplements or fecal bulking drugs such as, for example, metamucil.
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