Paranal glands in dogs: treatment of inflammation, cleaning

Caring for and maintaining a pet's health includes regularly cleaning their ears and teeth, trimming their nails, and washing their eyes. However, dog owners don't always pay attention to other, equally important organs. Specifically, the anal glands, which also require regular care. It's important to know how and when to help your pet yourself, and when it's best to consult a veterinarian.

What are the paranal glands?

The paranal glands are specialized sacs located symmetrically on each side of the rectum, where it transitions to the anus. They are responsible for producing a distinctive, pungent secretion that:

• animals mark territory or attract the opposite sex;
• a kind of lubrication occurs to facilitate the process of defecation.

Normally, the sacs are self-cleaning due to the pressure of feces during defecation, so some owners are unaware of their dog's presence. However, sometimes they become blocked, making regular drainage impossible, requiring intervention by the owner or veterinarian. This can be caused by:

• irregular or infrequent walks, which requires restraint of bowel movements;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• unbalanced diet (including feeding bones or excess protein in the diet);
• the presence of certain parasites in the body;
• frequent bowel disorders;
• anal trauma;
• hereditary factors.

How to determine if cleaning is necessary?

If the secretion accumulates over a long period of time, the dog may experience discomfort in the affected area and attempt to eliminate the contents of the sacs on its own. In such situations, the animal may:

• ride on the butt on the floor (especially on fleecy surfaces) to squeeze out the contents of the bags and get rid of discomfort;
• licking and gnawing the area under the tail (even to the point of chewing out fur)
• suddenly jump up and wriggle towards the tail in search of non-existent fleas.

Obstruction of the paranal glands should be distinguished from the presence of worms, perineal hernia or manifestations of allergies.

An unpleasant odor may also appear from the anus that was not previously observed.

If your pet exhibits the symptoms listed above, it's likely that their anal glands need to be cleaned. If there's no inflammation in the anal area and the dog doesn't experience pain when pressure is applied, you can perform the procedure yourself. This procedure doesn't require any special skills, but it's not the most pleasant, so squeamish individuals should seek veterinary help.

General recommendations

If the dog's owner can tolerate the strong and unpleasant smell of the discharge, cleaning can be done at home. Before doing this, it's important to confirm that the animal is actually bothered by clogged sacs by palpating the inside of the anus. To do this, put on gloves, insert your index finger into the anus, and gently probe around the opening:

• If the bags are soft, without any seals, then there is no need to clean them;
• If you can feel any lumps even with light pressure, you need to start cleaning.

For this you will need:

• rubber gloves;
• petrolatum;
• a napkin or a piece of cloth;
• basin.

The procedure won't be enjoyable for the dog, so it's important to have an assistant. They'll hold the animal firmly in a specific position to prevent it from struggling during the procedure. Talk to the dog, reassure it, and offer praise throughout the process.

How to clean?

Below are two methods that allow you to clear the bags of accumulated secretions at home.

The first method.

1. Place the animal in a bath or basin.
2. Ask an assistant to hold the pet's body and muzzle so that it does not break free or squirm.
3. Put on gloves and feel the seals from the outside.
4. Raise the base tail as high as possible to relax the sphincter without causing pain to the animal.
5. With your free hand in a glove or using a napkin, squeeze the sides of the anus with your thumb and index finger.
6. If everything is done correctly, a viscous, beige-colored liquid with an unpleasant odor will be released from the bags.

If after all these steps the anal sacs are still not free, do not apply further pressure. They may be so clogged that cleaning them at home is impossible, and you should consult a veterinarian.

The second way.

This method is only suitable for large breeds.

1. Place the animal in a basin or bathtub and ask another person to hold it.
2. Put on gloves and lubricate the index finger of your right hand with Vaseline.
3. Using your left hand, lift the base of the tail upwards, just like in the first method.
4. Slowly insert your Vaseline-lubricated index finger into your anus, keeping your palm perpendicular to the floor.
5. Feel the gland inside the anus with your index finger.
6. Squeeze out the secretion by pressing simultaneously with the index finger from the inside and the thumb from the outside of the anus.

After completing all procedures, you should wash your pet to get rid of the strong odor of the discharge. On average, cleaning lasts for six months at most, but the frequency of cleaning is determined by the individual animal and depends on the rate of blockage. However, if you pay sufficient attention to preventative measures, there's a chance such treatments won't be necessary in the future.

Even if you managed to clean it yourself, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian for an examination and consultation to identify and eliminate the causes of this phenomenon.

Complications

Failure to cleanse the anal glands promptly can lead to complications that require longer and more complex treatment. These include inflammatory processes caused by bacterial decay of the accumulated secretions in the anal sacs. In addition to the symptoms listed above, the following may also occur:

• swelling and redness of the anus;
• rash and irritation around the anus;
• Wetting and hair loss around the base of the tail;
• obvious pain during defecation in a sitting position

Inflammation It is more common in young animals, but there are no breed-specific patterns.

If inflammation occurs, self-cleaning is not recommended. Consult a veterinarian for proper treatment.

The treatment process includes:

• mechanical cleaning of inflamed sacs;
• sinus lavage;
• treatment of the skin with an antiseptic;
• administration of antibiotics;
• further monitoring and preventive measures.

Rectal suppositories, which are considered more effective than topical treatments or tablets, can be a treatment option. Although they can be uncomfortable for the dog, using them is not particularly difficult: the suppository is gently inserted into the dog's anus, after which the opening is pinched with the tail or a finger for a few seconds. For small breeds, the suppository should be cut in half lengthwise with a sharp knife before use.

Caution: If inflammation in the anus is ignored, irreversible consequences may occur, and in advanced cases, a fatal outcome is possible!

Need for removal

Some animals experience recurring blockages, and even regular cleanings prevent the secretions from escaping. If this has to be done frequently (almost weekly), a veterinarian may recommend anal gland removal surgery as the only possible option to prevent recurrence. Since the glands are not vital, surgery is a more humane option than the stress the animal experiences during cleaning.

The removal procedure is called a saculectomy and is considered a simple procedure. The veterinarian makes shallow incisions in the skin around the glands, then removes them and sutures the wounds. The rectum or anus is not affected during the procedure, so the dog can defecate on its own the following day and feels normal. To prevent the sutures from coming apart or stretching, veterinarians recommend a light diet and frequent walks. The pet should not urinate until the wounds are completely healed.

Prevention

To avoid clogged anal glands and the hassle of treating inflammation, it is recommended to follow these preventative measures:

• take long and active walks, preferably with physical activity;
• maintain optimal weight for the breed;
• achieve regular, formed stools (constipation and diarrhea increases the risk of developing inflammation);
• regularly monitor the condition of the glands and visually inspect the anus area (especially in decorative breeds);
• carry out deworming in a timely manner;
• take care of maintaining hygiene and the general health of your pet.

You can also ask our website's staff veterinarian a question, who will answer them as quickly as possible in the comments box below.

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