Every dog has two anal glands or sacs which are occasionally refereed to as "scent glands", because they enable the dog to mark its territory. The anal sacs are normally emptied by rectal pressure during defecation. The secretion from the anal glands is a brownish liquid, although is can become thick, yellowish or creamy looking. The anal sacs can also be emptied by contraction of the anal sphincter. This involuntary contraction can be due to the dog being upset, frightened or under pressure, or the contractions can be triggered by the dog to leave its mark upon territory. When the anal glands fail to empty normally, the result can be impaction which is most common in small breeds, but can occur in any dog. Among the causes of anal gland impaction are : soft stools, small anal gland openings and overactive anal glands. The anal gland secretions become thick and pasty.
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