Miniature Schnauzer Dog Anal Glands
A 'Stinky' Subject We Need to Discuss
Your Miniature Schnauzer's dog anal glands, also known as your dog's scent glands are located on either side of your Miniature Schnauzer's anus or rectal opening. Your dog's anal glands accumulate fluid and produce secretions that are normally expressed, or emptied, on their own, during regular bowel movements. When your Miniature Schnauzer dog defecates, the anal glands receive a bit of pressure and the secretion is released.
dog health tip: Your Miniature Schnauzer dog may also discharge a tiny bit of this fluid upon meeting a new dog, as the excitement of meeting someone new, puts pressure on your Schnauzer's anal glands.
Many Miniature Schnauzer dogs never suffer any swollen glands or have any kind of anal gland problems whatsoever.
But, if your Miniature Schnauzer's anal glands fail to empty on their own, your Miniature Schnauzer's anal glands can become impacted.
Warning Signs of Anal Gland Problems - Your Miniature Schnauzer dog begins scooting or dragging his butt across the floor.
- Your Miniature Schnauzer dog keeps licking around this area.
- Your Miniature Schnauzer dog tries to chase his tail.
- Your Miniature Schnauzer's stools have become mushy.
Once your Miniature Schnauzer's anal glands become impacted, the pain it causes your Miniature Schnauzer will be great. So to avoid impacted dog anal glands, heed the warning signs below and check with your veterinarian if you think your Miniature Schnauzer's anal glands need to be manually expressed.
dog health tip: WARNING! It is best to talk with your vet about dog anal gland expression. As a more serious problem or further irritation or complication may occur to your Miniature Schnauzer, if not done properly.
For those of you wanting to learn how-to express dog anal glands manually on your own, below are the instructions. Again, it's highly recommended to have your vet or groomer physically show you the first time, to be sure proper expression is done.
How to Manually Express your Dog's Glands - The anal glands are located at 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock - on either side of the rectum.
- Take a moist warm cloth and prep the area first by resting the cloth gently on the anal opening, for 15 seconds.
- Next, with a disposable bath wipe in hand, place your thumb on one gland and your index fingers on the other. Press inward and upward at an angle towards the anus until your 2 fingers meet.
- This should cause the glands to empty. Wipe clean wash.
Be forwarned: The discharge is quite a pungent smell.
It's also worth noting that dog anal gland problems are believed to be linked to the quality of pet food your Miniature Schnauzer dog eats.
 Nature's Variety Raw Food Diets Raw food diets containing 95% freshly ground USDA meat and fresh, natural fruits & vegetables, with cold processed Norwegian Virgin Salmon Oil.
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Check out your Miniature Schnauzer's dog food nutritional label and make sure your Miniature Schnauzer's dog food is not loaded down with cereal fillers which can cause of loose stools.
Also, make sure the fiber content in your Miniature Schnauzer's dog food is high. When your Miniature Schnauzer dog defecates good firm stools, enough pressure is usually applied to the anal glands so they will empty on their own.
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