>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 ***************************************** Save lives - spay or neuter your pet. ------------------ 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 --------------------- [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]