Anal glands are two small glands that lie near your pet’s rectum.  These glands physically serve no important function.  In many cases, your pet will express these glands when they go to the bathroom or when they become scared. However, on rare occasions, these glands may become full and will irritate your pet and he or she will begin scooting “like a frog”.  In this case, the anal glands will require a manual expression by a DVM or Veterinary Technician.  These glands may only have to be expressed 1-2 times a year.  However, some pets require anal gland expression every 2-3 months.  If your pet has problems more often than this, he or she may require an anal gland infusion or treatment.  In some instances, these glands become infected and/or swollen and sometimes require antibiotic therapy or surgery.