Most dogs go through their entire lives without any concerns about their anal glands.
Normally, when a dog defecates, the anal glands are naturally expressed and fluids are released. Dogs may also express their anal glands unconsciously if they are scared or stressed.
By expressing their anal glands, dogs can leave their scent behind during normal bowel movements and mark territory near the house or in the yard.
When dogs meet, they sniff each other’s hind legs and anal glands to gather information about the other dog’s hormonal state.
When a dog defecates, they naturally squeeze their anal glands, releasing fluids.
A dog’s anal glands can become clogged, blocked or infected. Blocked or diseased dog anal glands can be painful, so it’s important to recognise the signs of a problem and know what to do when it happens.
In this article, you will learn about dog anal glands, what they do, what anal gland secretions are, signs of anal sac disease, and when you should take your dog to the vet for anal gland problems.
What are anal glands in dogs?
A dog’s anal glands are two tiny, pea-sized pockets located on the right and left side of your dog’s anus. Each gland connects to a tiny duct that secretes a fluid that has a distinctive, foul smell.
Normally, when stool passes through the anus, pressure is placed on the glands, causing them to release (squeeze) fluid.
Both male and female dogs—Other animals, such as dogs and cats, also have anal glands. They are not essential to a dog’s health, and if they need to be removed for medical reasons, they can live without them.
Types of Anal Gland Problems in Dogs
Canine anal sac disease is a broad term that includes several specific conditions.
These include:
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Anal gland blockage—Clogged anal glands cause moderate pain to dogs.
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When the anal gland fluid thickens, this mucus-like brown substance can block the anal sacs and form a hard mass. In the average case of blockage, the anal glands can be forced out with considerable pressure.
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Anal gland infection or abscess—Dogs with an anal gland infection or abscess will be in moderate to severe pain.
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When a gland becomes infected, the bacteria causes pus to accumulate inside the gland. If the pus-filled pocket and swollen tissue block the gland’s opening, the infection can progress to an abscess.
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You may notice discoloration around the anus or a hot, red, swollen area next to or behind the anal opening.
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Ruptured anal gland abscess—If an abscess is left untreated, it may burst and cause your dog severe to extreme pain.
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Anal gland cancer—Anal glands can also be the site of cancerous tumors. The most common type of anal gland cancer is known as apocrine anal sac adenocarcinoma (AGASACA).
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This condition may not cause your dog any pain and is more common in older female dogs. Certain breeds, such as German Shepherds and Dachshunds, are at higher risk.
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Signs of anal gland problems in dogs
The most common signs of anal gland problems in dogs are:
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Frequently turns away to lick or bite
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Straining when defecating
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Discomfort during bowel movements (difficulty in defecation)
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I don’t want to sit
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Discharge from around the anus
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Frequent fishy odor
Dogs with anal gland problems may also show other signs, such as:
If these symptoms persist or affect your dog’s behavior, contact your veterinarian.
If left untreated, blocked anal glands, infections, and abscesses can become major problems.
Anal gland problems in dogs are primarily an issue affecting small breeds, but can also affect larger breeds.
Dogs that may be at higher risk for anal gland disease include those that are:
Other factors that may increase the likelihood of your dog developing anal gland problems include:
How to tell if your dog’s anal glands are full
Most dogs express their anal glands unconsciously. If your dog’s nutritional needs are being met, High quality foodIf your dog is maintaining a healthy weight and getting enough exercise, there is no need to express the anal glands. If your dog is not having problems, there is no need to do anything.
If you want to express your pet’s anal glands regularly, talk to your vet, who may recommend leaving them alone if they’re not causing problems, or they may agree to expressing the glands regularly to avoid medical problems.
However, some dogs may need to have their glands manually expressed.
If your dog’s stool consistency changes, their anal glands may not be able to empty naturally.
Over time, the fluid in your milk can thicken and make it harder to express milk. The glands can then become irritated, inflamed, clogged, or infected.
Once your dog’s anal glands begin to show symptoms or problems, it’s best to express them every 3-4 weeks to prevent the problem from returning.
Expressing a dog’s anal glands can be done by a veterinarian, veterinary technician, or some dog groomers.
How to Express a Dog’s Anal Glands
If your vet agrees that your dog needs to have his anal glands expressed regularly, you may be instructed to do this at home if you feel comfortable doing so. Responds to anal gland expression.
If you see blood or pus around your dog’s anus or if he seems uncomfortable, don’t try to express the anal glands at home — instead, make an appointment with your vet right away.
To express your dog’s anal glands at home, you will need:
To perform an anal gland expression on your dog, follow these steps:
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For small dogs, place them on a table or counter in front of you, or for larger dogs, you can even kneel behind them.
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Have another person place one arm under and around the dog’s neck and the other arm around the rest of the dog’s body to hold him tightly.
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Put on a pair of latex or similar gloves and apply Vaseline or a water-based lubricant to your index finger.
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Lift your dog’s tail and gently insert your index finger about an inch into his rectum.
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With your index finger and thumb, feel for a hard, pea- or marble-sized object at the 5 or 7 o’clock position.
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Once you have found one gland, place a paper towel between your dog’s anus and your hand and squeeze the side of the gland furthest away from you, gently squeezing the contents of the gland outwards – do not use more pressure than feels comfortable, like you would when pressing on an eye, for example.
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Once the gland is empty, it should be barely felt.
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Clean the anal area.
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Repeat on the opposite gland.
Treating anal gland problems in dogs
These conditions should be diagnosed by a veterinarian after performing a complete physical examination, including a digital rectal examination.
Most cases of anal sac disease in dogs can be treated with manual expression of the anal glands and topical treatment with antibiotic and/or steroid ointment.
Additional tests may be required to create a specific treatment plan for your dog. These tests may include:
Most cases of anal sac disease in dogs can be treated with manual expression of the anal glands and topical treatment with antibiotic and/or steroid ointment.
In some cases, oral antibiotics may be required. Clindamycinanti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, etc. CarprofenIn severe cases surgical intervention may be required.
In the case of anal gland cancer, your veterinarian will need to determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, or spleen.
A veterinary oncologist should be consulted and treatment may include removal of the anal glands and anal sacs, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
How to Prevent Anal Gland Problems in Dogs
A diet with enough fiber will help keep your dog’s anal glands healthy. Fiber promotes healthy digestion and proper stool formation. The force of hard, bulky stool against the colon wall near the anus helps squeeze the anal glands during bowel movements.
Maintaining your dog’s health at a healthy weight will also contribute to the health of his anal glands.
Overweight dogs tend to have excess fluid build up in their anal glands because body fat reduces pressure on the anal sacs during bowel movements.
If your dog is overweight, talk to your vet about a weight loss plan, which, combined with diet and exercise, can help your dog reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Before making any changes to your dog’s diet, discuss your options with your veterinarian.
Adding fiber to your dog’s diet and nutritional supplements can also help reduce the risk of anal sac disease. Omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil supplements have natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation around affected anal glands, and probiotics with fiber can also promote gut health.
Recommended supplements include:
Frequently asked questions about dog anal glands
What happens if you don’t express your dog’s anal glands?
Most dogs are able to empty their anal sacs themselves when they defecate, but if they are unable to do so, the sacs can become blocked and infected. Painful abscess.
Can I empty my dog’s anal glands myself?
Unless your dog’s anal glands are infected or clogged, he will be able to empty them himself. However, check with your veterinarian first.
You don’t need to express your dog’s anal sacs if he does it himself – your vet can show you how to do it.
Can foods cause anal gland problems in dogs?
For dogs with food allergies, it is the food that is most likely to cause anal gland problems. The resulting dermatitis can lead to anal sac problems. A high fiber diet is also beneficial for anal sac health.
