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Anal glands in dogs are a pair of small sacks located below the skin surface of the anus area and normally produce oily, yellow to brown fluid dogs use to mark their territory. However, there’re a bunch of factors that can prevent the glands to empty and the fluid left inside can become thickened and block the duct through which the gland empties. This can be an extremely painful experience for dogs and result in further problems if not treated properly.
Symptoms of Blocked Anal Glands in Dogs
Some of the most common causes of blocked anal glands in dogs are eating poor quality food, obesity, infections and skin disorders in this area. But regardless of the cause, every dog is prone to developing this condition. If you’re wondering how to notice if your dog suffers from blocked anal glands and whether you need to visit a veterinarian, here are some of the most common symptoms.
- Excessive licking around their rear end to relieve the itch;
- Scooting- rubbing their bottom on the floor to relieve the itch. This can leave a stain trail behind them with a smell people describe as a mix of rotting fish and faeces;
- A hole near the anus area discharging blood or green to yellow pus;
- Swollen anus area;
- Straining and difficulties with emptying the bowels;
- Increased aggression, especially when attempting to touch their hind end. This is due to blocked anal glands being very painful;
- Diarrhoea and upset stomach.
Using Anal Gland Chews for Dogs
Like every other condition, blocked anal glands can be successfully treated and cured with the right medications. For this purpose, it’s recommended to get Glandex anal gland chews for dogs.
Glandex chews are supplements that help support healthy anal gland function in dogs and cats. This patented formula was specially designed by veterinarians and experts and contains a mix of unique ingredients that support healthy bowel, digestion, occasional allergies and enhance the immune response of your pooch.
Glandex dog chews are packed with powerful active ingredients, and pumpkin seeds are just a small part of them. In fact, pumpkin seeds make for a great source of insoluble fibre for pets to bulk stools and support healthy bowel movements. They’re also very rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and omega fatty acids to reduce inflammation in the area and act against parasites.
In addition to pumpkin seeds, Glandex chews for dogs are also packed with apple pectin, quercetin dihydrate, bromelain and a great dose of probiotics. Apple pectin is a highly soluble fibre found in apples that support healthy and firm stools, while quercetin dihydrate and bromelain have powerful properties that aid digestion, maintain normal histamine levels and help support the inflammatory response. Probiotics are healthy bacteria that improve the digestion and the overall immune function of your dog.
On top of that, Glandex soft chews for dogs will be highly palatable for your pooch as they come in a bunch of different flavours such as peanut butter, beef and pork liver.
Except for chews, Glandex also offers hygienic rear wipes that are specifically designed to assist in cleaning the anal region and support healthy anal glands. These wipes are made from thick and soft cloth material, packed with aloe, vitamin E and skin conditioners. Not only do they work excellent against odours caused by anal gland secretion, but they’re also widely used and recommended by veterinarians and professional groomers.
Tips for Preventing This Condition
One of the ways to keep your dog healthy and happy is to make sure you’re reducing the chances of them developing blocked anal glands. And luckily, there’re a couple of prevention measures you can take to avoid this condition.
Pay Attention to the Food
Starting from the most important one, it’s very important to provide your dog with highly digestible food that is packed with fibre on daily basis. Not only fibre rich food will prevent anal gland problems, but it’s also considered great for promoting regular bowel movement and healthy stools.
More specifically, fibre controls the speed at which food can pass fully through your dog’s digestive system and leaves less liquid in the gut to improve the consistency of faeces. Some of the ingredients you can give your dog to achieve this are beet pulp, pumpkin, flaxseed, lettuce, kelp, apples, carrots and brown rice.
Except for giving your dog highly digestible food rich in fibre, make sure you avoid allergens that can upset their digestive system and cause skin reactions that can trigger gland problems. If your dog consumes any ingredient that isn’t tolerant to, the gut will become inflamed and the body will try to eliminate the food quickly. This can cause consistently soft stools and diarrhoea that can trigger problems with the anal glands.
Finally, giving your dog commercial food based on natural ingredients and without artificial additives can prevent any irritations and therefore, keep your dog’s anal glands healthy.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Also, we already mentioned that overweight dogs are more prone to blocked anal glands. This is due to overweight dogs having fatty tissue and weaker muscles around their rear area which prevents the glands from getting completely empty. Hence, keeping your dog at a healthy weight and feeding them with healthy, digestible and good quality food makes for one of the best prevention measures for blocked anal glands.
Check with Your Veterinarian Regularly
Finally, don’t forget to check with your veterinarian regularly, especially if your dog suffers from blocked anal glands frequently. In addition to spotting the signs of blocked anal glands, your veterinarian can also give you instructions for emptying your dog’s anal glands and providing them relief from the discomfort.
