>What are the symptoms of an impacted anal scent gland?
 
Well, there are several possible scenarios.  A temporarily impacted gland
may lead to an odor, the ferret licking, chewing, biting and scooting on
its rear end (very common in dogs, not so much in ferrets) in an attempt
to open up the painful area, followed by disappearance of the signs once
the gland has emptied.  You can also have ferrets with ruptured glands,
infected glands, and lots of other problems.  You may feel a bulge in the
area around the anal opening above the gland - the bulge may be painful.
Warm compresses or sitz baths may help.  If not and if signs continue,
it's time to see a vet.
 
Dr. Ruth
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Save lives - spay or neuter your pet.
 
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The signs of impacted anal sacs (they really aren't glands) is pain and
swelling in the affected areas.  Generally, 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
 
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[Sukie note: for those who are not familiar with the FHL: it is the
Ferret Health List on Yahoogroups at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ferret-Health-list, and has a great
deal of information in back posts, files, and in response to current
questions asked.  Selected cross-posts are carried from the FHL to
the FML but replies in the other direction are not accepted.]
[Posted in FML issue 3553]