You may have seen your dog crawl over the ground on its buttocks (or your favorite rug). Perhaps it began incessantly licking its behind, or you noticed an unusual, room-clearing odor floating around your dog. However, it's possible that your best friend is constipated or in agony when he tries to poop or even sit down.
Although any of these signs and symptoms could suggest a variety of illnesses, they could also signal a problem with your dog's anal glands and its urge to relieve pain or discomfort caused by impaction or infection.
What Causes Anal Gland Problems in Dogs?
The anal glands, also known as anal sacs, are two small pouches of tissue on either side of a dog's anus that are positioned just beneath the surface of the skin. The anal glands secrete oily, odorous secretions containing compounds that dogs utilize to mark territory and identify one another.
When feces pushes up on their anal glands during defecation, domesticated dogs empty them. It can also empty when external pressure (from scooting) pushes on the anal glands, or even spontaneously if the dog is scared or distressed. When fully developed, these glands can range in size from a pea to a small grape, depending on the size of the dog and the glands' fullness.
When the anal sacs are full or impacted, the dog may exhibit a variety of behaviors in an attempt to alleviate its discomfort. Although bottom dragging, anal chewing, tail chasing, and other habits could suggest the presence of worms or skin problems, these activities are highly prevalent in a dog with anal sac problems.
During feces, the fluid in anal glands is frequently discharged and may help with lubrication. The issue emerges when the material is not released in the proper manner. This could be related to soft stools, increased fluid output, thick fluid, or the anatomy of the dog in question. As a result, it's sometimes required for a human to physically express or empty a dog's anal glands.
Treatment
Manually expressing a dog's anal glands is best taught in person by a veterinarian or veterinary nurse who is familiar with the procedure. As long as there isn't an infection, any dog owner can learn to do this at home, but most owners prefer to leave it to a professional because it's uncomfortable.
The anal sacs can be expressed in two ways: outwardly and inwardly. Remember to have your vet or a vet tech demonstrate how to express your dog's anal sacs before you try. A bad face can make your dog feel very uncomfortable.
The external expression is performed by gently squeezing the anal area from the outside and massaging out the fluid with a tissue or towel. It's rare that the anal sacs can be entirely empty this manner.
Inserting a gloved index finger into the anus and gently squeezing each anal sac (one at a time) between the index finger and thumb is an internal expression. When the substance in the anal sacs is thick, the internal approach is more successful. Because this is an intrusive procedure, you'll need assistance keeping your dog distracted and relaxed. If the anal area is red, inflamed, thickened, has an open sore, is painful, or uncomfortable, consult your veterinarian immediately. There could be an infection or abscess present, and manipulating the area could cause your dog considerable agony, necessitating immediate medical attention.
How to Avoid Anal Gland Issues
In general, unless there's a problem, a dog's anal glands don't need to be manually expressed. During bowel motions, many dogs are able to expel the fluid on a regular basis.
Anal glands can become affected or diseased in some circumstances (abscessed). This is mainly caused by an inability to empty the anal sacs during normal feces over time. 1 If the anal area of your dog becomes reddish or you detect pus around its anus, it could be a sign of an issue with its anal sacs. Other possible anal gland issues include benign or malignant tumors, which are less prevalent. If your dog's anal glands aren't working properly, see your veterinarian immediately away.
If your dog is constantly scooting or participating in other behavior that appears to revolve around its butt, it could be due to anal gland problems. A food allergy or intolerance is a common cause of this. Because the anal sacs only empty when they get firm pressure from a solid bowel movement, if your dog's stools are regularly unformed, soft, or watery, the anal sacs may not receive the pressure they require to empty. Consult your veterinarian about elimination diets or developing a balanced and suitable diet to address any food sensitivities and enhance stool consistency. Finally, some dogs may not have any underlying medical problems and only require routine anal gland expression to avoid impaction or infection.
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