What is an Anal Sac?
For most of us who don’t know much about puppy anatomy, there are certain things that may make us squeamish; an anal sac may be one of those things. After getting over the initial panic of hearing the word, an anal sac on your puppy is a natural part of their body. An anal sac is located on the external and internal anal sphincter muscles. Each of the sacs is lined with glands, one being the oil gland and the other being the sweat gland. You may be thinking it is just a bad odor, but the smell is way worse than foul. Odds are your French Bulldog puppy isn’t too fond of it either, so if you are noticing a horrible smell coming from your puppy’s back side, it’s a good idea to take them to the vet.
Why Does it Need Squeezed?
Some breeds produce thicker secretion that may become built up inside the anus and becomes blocked, this is where anal sac squeezing comes in. Also, the problem may appear because there is inflammation of the anus muscles and they are not working properly. It may sound disgusting, but it’s necessary for your French Bulldog puppy to get them squeezed throughout the year. Some breeds require surgery to widen and make the anal muscles stronger to be able to secrete the proper amount of fluid, so look into your breed when researching this issue.
How to Fix the Issue
The easiest thing to do is start off with a diet rich in fiber so it will clear out the stomach and promote healthy digestion. This will help the food digest and move through the rectum on a normal basis aiding in the muscle movement and lubrication of the anus. This will also help empty out the anal sac and keep everything working in great condition. Anal sac issues are rare in large breeds, so with French Bulldog puppies being of the smaller breed, it’s best to get them checked regularly and if you suspect an issue take care of it right away. Also, when you take your puppy to the groomer they usually empty the anal sac when dealing with dogs smaller than 20 pounds. If you have a larger breed it never hurts to ask if they can do it for you. Emptying the anal sac and keeping your puppy healthy can promote healthy habits in the future.
