AboutCindy lou Curtice Expertise I have been a pet (dog and cat) groomer for 26 years. I can answer any questions relating to pet grooming, behavior and general pet related questions. I can also answer any small business related questions as I have been the owner/operator. I can not give advice on a vet related question, I can only give my opinion.
Question what is the glands on the hind quarters of the poodle that need to be emptied usually when groomed, i ask because i am now grooming my own poodles and dont know how to do this. if you could help me with this i would appreciate it. thanks
Answer Hello Katrina, These sacks are called anal glands; this is the way us groomers do it. I will try to explain this for you. Imagine your dogs anus as a clock. the anal glands sit at the numbers 5 and 7. if you hold the tail up in one hand and gently slide your thumb and first finger up and down both sides of the anus you might be able to feel two pea sized bumps at the 5 and 7 number positions. if you feel this then you are feeling the anal sacs and you are also feeling that they have fluid in them. using again the thumb and first finger start at just below the 5 and 7 numbers and in a "C" motion gently press in and up. what you are dong is pressing at the bottom of the anal sac and forcing the fluid to go up and out the anus. Do NOT have your face directly in front as you may get squirted. YUK, it smells really bad. Some dogs have a very liquid anal fluid and some have thick and pasty fluid. either is ok. You might need to have someone hold the dog forward for you. If you cannot get any liquid out then any grooming shop should be willing to demonstrate this for you. I know I would. Good luck and I hope this gives you some idea of how you express anal glands. Thanks for asking, Cindy Lou :)
