Anal Sac Disorders in Dogs

The anal glands on both sides of the anus are usually drained naturally when your dog has a bowel movement, but sometimes the fluid becomes too thick to be expressed and it will become impacted (clogged up). After the anal gland has been impacted for a while, it can become infected and swollen. Finally, the infection may cause an abscess that is very painful for your dog. You will need to take your dog to the veterinarian so he can drain and clean the anal gland. The veterinarian will probably give your dog antibiotics in this case. The sooner you get this painful illness treated, the better the outcome will be for both you and your dog. Even though impacted anal glands are not a risk to the health of your dog, they are very uncomfortable and your dog may harm himself trying to clean the area by scooting on the ground. Once the anal glands get inflamed it is painful for your dog to have a bowel movement and he may become constipated. Once the anal sacs become abscessed, your dog is in danger of the infection spreading to the rest of the body.

Disorder of the anal sacs is a common disorder in dogs and it can be caused by several different ailments. Anal sac impaction, infection, and abscess are the three stages of anal sac disorder. It starts out with one or both of your dog’s anal sacs becoming impacted (unable to express fluid), then it becomes infected and swollen, and finally, the infection can cause an abscess which can be very painful. Even though all breeds of dogs are susceptible to this condition, it seems to be seen more in small dogs. Some of those dog breeds are Chihuahua, Dachshund, and the Miniature or Toy Poodle.

• Scooting on the floor
• Excessive licking or biting of the affected area
• Pain during bowel movement
• Brown or red spots on your floor
• Bad smell from your dog (in the rear end) that gets worse with each stage
• Swelling and redness in the anal area

 Types

These are not separate illnesses, but different stages of the same disorder:

• Anal sac impaction
• Infection
• Abscess

The causes of anal sac disorder vary, but the most common cause is the inflammation of the anal ducts. This is more common in older and obese dogs because their anal glands do not empty as well as they should. Once your dog has had an anal sac impaction, it may recur, and with every incidence, the ducts will be more damaged so the problem will happen more often until it becomes chronic.

Your veterinarian will need a complete medical background, including any recent illnesses or injuries, changes in diet or behavior, when the anal sac problem started, and if it has gotten worse. A thorough physical examination will be done, which includes body temperature, weight, heart rate, and blood pressure. The veterinarian will do a rectal examination and if it is the anal sac that is causing the problem, he will be able to notice it right away. Some tests they may recommend to rule out other illnesses are complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry panel, urinalysis and a fecal examination. They may also need to take radiographs (x-rays) to be sure there are no tumors or other issues causing the anal sac disorder.

The veterinarian can empty the anal sacs by gently using his finger to push up on the gland starting at the bottom to squeeze out the material. If the glands are infected, he will likely flush them out with saline or a softening solution to remove the hardened material. In the case of anal gland abscesses, your veterinarian may lance them and prescribe one or two weeks of antibiotics. Your dog will most likely be put under anesthesia or sedation for any treatment because they are painful and your dog will already be in enough pain. Antibiotics and hot compresses may be required for treatment of the abscesses after the glands are emptied. The veterinarian may want you to come back weekly to empty the sacs again and may then prescribe a topical steroid and antibiotic ointment.

If the problem continues to happen the veterinarian may suggest surgery to remove the anal glands, which will stop the problem permanently. There is a risk of fecal incontinence (not being able to control his bowel movements) with this surgery.

After treatment, you will need to use warm compresses on your dog twice a day for 15 to 20 minutes for about 7 to 10 days to relieve pain and swelling. Be sure to give your dog any diet that your veterinarian will suggest to make it easier for your dog to have a bowel movement. Your veterinarian may also prescribe a stool softener if he thinks it is necessary. Be sure to follow all instructions and return to the office for the follow-up visit.