Posts Tagged ‘hygiene’

Anal Sacs ( frequently referred to as anal glands ) are located on each side and slightly below the anus of the dog and cat.  They are in essence and infolded skin structure.

Each anal sac has a duct which empties at the edge of the anus.  The sacs and ducts are lined with glands which secrete a characteristic foul smelling material.

Part of the secretion of the anal sac may be emptied when the pet has a bowel movement.  Many times, however, the sacs are not emptied properly by themselves.  The pet may scoot on its rear end in an attempt to relieve the filled sac.  Many people associate this scooting with tapeworms or to other worm infestations.  By far, however, the largest cause for this scooting is from filled anal sacs.  We have, on occasion, seen tapeworm segments which have entered the anal sacs.

Anal sacs serve no useful purpose in the dog or cat.  It is believed they may have some territorial marking function.  The anal sacs are a frequent source of infection in the dog.  Small poodles and other toy breeds are most frequently involved.  If infected, this serves as a reservoir for bacterial organisms which can spread elsewhere in the body.  Infections from anal sacs, ears, or teeth frequently enter the blood stream and cause kidney disease.  Infected anal sacs may have a discharge which is colored a combination of red, yellow, or green.  The normal secretion is yellowish brown.

Before any attempt is made to empty anal sacs it is important to always be able to detect their exact location.  If full, they can easily be felt below the surface of the skin.  Injury to the sensitive tissues around the anus can occur if excessive pressure is applied to the wrong area.

To express the sacs, first spray a deodorant cologne or skin disinfectant onto a piece of cotton or facial tissue and place this over the anal region.  One hand holds up the tail while the other hand is used to empty the sacs.  To properly express, gentle pressure is applied directly to the filled sacs in a forward and upward direction.  Only the amount which is easily expressed without discomfort should be emptied.

If infected material is detected, you should consult a veterinarian.  If neglected, an abscess can quickly occur.  On occasion, a swollen red painful area over the anal sac will be seen.  This may indicate that an abscess has already occurred and needs the attention of a veterinarian.

Forty-two is the number of permanent teeth an adult dog has. Those teeth are 42 great reasons to be a part of canine oral care. 

Adult dog teeth may need to last 15 years or more and the best time to start caring for them is now.  Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health issue for dogs over 2 ½ to 3 years of age – over 80% will suffer from this preventable problem.

Bacteria and proteins from saliva stick to the tooth and form plaque, constantly coating the teeth.  Plaque is soft, off white in color and can be easily wiped or brushed from the tooth surface.  Within 48 to 72 hours, calcium salts are deposited in this plaque film and the result is tartar, a hard yellow brown crust that can not be wiped or brushed off but must be carefully scraped off so as to not damage the tooth surface.

With time, these events advance under the gum line and starts a process referred to as periodontal disease.  Uncontrolled periodontal disease can cause thickening of the gums, receding gums, loss of bone from the socket of the tooth, weakening of the ligaments holding the tooth in the socket and results is bad breath, discomfort, infection and eventual loss of tooth. 

The bad breath is caused mostly by gases called volatile sulfur compounds (VSC’s) given off by bacteria and decaying gum tissue.  VSC’s themselves add to the damage process through local immune reaction and by creating a toxic environment for dental tissue.

Some obvious signs of advance canine dental disease include halitosis, discoloration caused by tartar, difficulty in chewing or swallowing, drooling, rapid jaw or tongue movement, loose teeth, loss of teeth, bleeding of gums, thickening of gums and nasal discharge.  When these signs arise, veterinary assistance is needed. 

The time to prevent all of this is before the plaque can turn to tartar and damage oral tissue.

There are many tools to aid in keeping our best friend’s mouth healthy and fresh and may include:

• Pet toothpaste (Don’t use human paste, it foams too much and may irritate the stomach)
• Oral gel to wipe or brush on the teeth
• Special pet toothbrushes
• Special hard foods to aid in plaque and light tartar removal
• Solution to be added to the drinking water that help neutralize VSC’s
• Dental chews
• Dental toys