Okay everyone- I know there are some vet techs out there that can back me up on this. The dog groomer from Micro Alge Man was a bit off track. Anal glands are scent glands that many animals have and yes they can become impacted, and can abcess and cause infection if not emptying properly. But they aren't poison or appendix-like in nature....okay. I feel better.
I had a minature schnauser which passed away in 1990 named "Pookie" he died when he was almost 14 and he died from a head tumor..I never knew about the squeezing of his gland..maybe the vet did it..but I never did it...and he was my heart..if I had of known to do that I would have..that's what I like about "Dirty Jobs" you always learn something you didn't know.
Mike! Love the show, here is a bit of info concerning the poison glands...
"WHAT ON EARTH ARE ANAL SACS?
Anal sacs (also called "anal glands") are two small glands just inside your pet's anus. The material secreted into these glands is thick and foul smelling. Most animals can empty these glands voluntarily for scent marking or in self defense (like a skunk might do).
Domestic animals have largely lost their ability to empty these sacs voluntarily. Walking around and normal defecation serves to empty the glands but some animals become unable to empty their glands on their own at all. The sacs become impacted and uncomfortable. Dogs with impacted anal sacs usually scoot their rear on the ground in an attempt to empty the glands. Some dogs will lick their anal area and other dogs will chase their tails. Cats often lick the fur off just under their tails.
Now I'm no vet or vet tech but I am an educated individual in wildlife management with a few elective classes in animal behavior and training. Even I knew that anal glands had nothing to do with an appendix and are no poison glands. But that's not the main point of my message.
Now when the cat grooming expert came in I thought maybe he would actually know what he was talking about. He explained the cat was waging it's tail because he was angry. I know a lot of people out there were thinking...uh yeah right. Well it's true. Any time an animal is high in stress or excitement (including anger) they will wag their tail. It is a mechanism used to releave excessive energy. The same is true for dogs. A dog waging it's tail does not mean a happy dog. It clearly states an excited dog. People need to learn to read animal signs before assuming a dog is happy. If people were smart enough to think before they act a lot of dog bites can be prevented. So I guess what I am trying to say in the long run is, animals wag their tails when their energy level is above a comfortable level. So be careful.
expressing anal glands isnt that dirty of a job... ive done it hundreds of times. However, working at a humane society... that would be a drity jobs episode. I dont think too many people would really want to see it though, i worked at the local humane society for 2 1/2 years
This message has been edited. Last edited by: kim g,
