Animal Behavior College (ABC) Grooming Stage 6 Practice Exam

Key idea: manipulating anal glands can affect nearby tissues because of how close the glands are to the rectal area. The anal glands sit just inside the anus, alongside the rectal wall, with the internal and external anal sphincters forming the muscular ring around the opening. When expressing these glands, pressure is applied to push out their contents, and if done with too much force, rough technique, or in the presence of infection or blockage, this pressure can irritate or damage the surrounding tissues. Repeated or forceful manipulation can injure the rectal mucosa or the sphincter muscles, potentially causing trauma, pain, or functional issues. So, the statement is true: regular expressing can cause trauma to the rectal wall muscles when not performed with careful technique and appropriate veterinary guidance.