Message Number: YG7442 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-09-25 07:14:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Impacted Scent Glands

--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., shurcool@i... wrote:
> --- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., flabarb64@a... wrote:
> >I have one female with scent glands and I have my Vet expressed
them
> at least once a year. Don't let her go too long without getting
that
> done.>
>
> I have never heard of this before. Is this a common practice?
Champ
> and Blaze's scent glands were never manually expressed in their
> entire short lifes. How would, for example, black footed ferrets
> accomplish this in the wild? Is it necessary if they poof on
> occasion? How long does it take to build back up (refill?) after
> poofing?
>
> My question was really asking for the symptoms of an impacted scent
> gland. I still would like an answer to that. And, for good
measure,
> I would love to hear opinions on Barbara's suggestion. This is the
> first time I've ever heard this.
>
> I believe, if you think it is necessary, you can express them
> yourself. I think that all you do is gently squeeze (outdoors
> preferably <g>).


The signs of impacted anal sacs (they really aren't glands) is pain
and swelling in the affected areas. Generaly, there will be a hot,
red painful swelling adjacent to the anus. There may or may not be
hair loss over the area. Often, the sac has ruptured and there is a
scab or actual draining pus from the area. Only rarely do ferrets
scoot (which is a common sign of the disease in dogs.)

Expression of anal sacs is not really required in ferrets as it is in
dogs, and should not be performed as a routine practice - even at
long intervals.

With kindest regards,

Bruce Williams, DVM