IMPERFORATE ANUS 



79 



but if it is found that the lower bowel is entirely occluded, it is better 

 to destroy the puppy. But if treatment is to l)e tried as in a particularly 

 valuable puppy, we can make a cross incision and by means of the index 

 finger we locate the l^lind end of the floating colon then, l)y means of the 

 forceps, draw it to the surface, open it and stitch the edges around the 

 anal opening, as in an ordinary wound. 



Infiammation of the Anal Pouches. — These glands are located on both 

 sides of the anus, lying between the anus and the mucous membrane. 



Fig. 38. — Inflammation of the anal glands. 



The interior of the pouch is filled with tubular shaped glandular tissue, 

 ending in a short thin canal, see Fig. 38. The secretion of the gland is a 

 yellowish brown fluid, with a very unpleasant odor and an acid reaction. 

 From a variety of causes, such as local irritation, the accumulation of 

 hard faeces, splinters of bone, etc., and from various irritations of the 

 rectum, these glands become inflamed and the anus becomes swollen, on 

 one or both sides, generally the latter. The region is warm, painful to the 

 touch, and there is more or less fluctuation in the swellings. The animal 

 makes repeated attempts at defecation and there is every evidence of ten- 

 esmus. The animal is continually licking the anus and pulling and slid- 

 ing the hind ciuarters on the ground. On pressing the swellings between 

 the fingers, the contents of the anal pouches are emptied and are expelled 



