Scooting in Dogs

Even though scooting is not usually an emergency, it is certainly not a normal dog behavior so it is important to find out why your pet is doing it. Check under your dog’s tail for signs of redness, swelling, fecal matter, blood, or any other abnormal problems. If there is no sign of irritation, the problem may be itching or constipation and you should call your veterinarian to make an appointment.

If your dog is scooting his butt on the floor, this is a sign that something is wrong. He may be itching, uncomfortable, in pain, or he may be constipated. You may think it is just a behavioral issue, but your dog is trying to tell you something. Actually, there are many reasons why your dog would be scooting such as worms, anal gland disorders, injury, a tumor, and much more. It is important that you find out the reason why your dog is scooting because some of the conditions can be serious and he is obviously uncomfortable.

The signs of scooting in dogs is (of course) scooting, but there are also signs that your dog has been scooting even if you have not witnessed it yet.

• Biting or licking affected area
• Matted fur in anal area
• Foul odor from the affected area
• Worms or white specks in anal area
• Scooting rear end on the floor, carpet, or ground

Types

Impacted anal sacs is an uncomfortable condition that may become dangerous if it gets infected or abscessed. The anal glands on both sides of the anus can become swollen shut, building into a thick pasty material that cannot pass. They will continue to swell until they burst and cause infection that spreads into the body if not treated.

Other reasons for scooting may be:

• Worms can cause an itchy or uncomfortable anus, making your dog scoot on the floor to try and relieve the problem; there are four common worms in dogs which include roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms
• Constipation can be caused by many things including not ingesting enough fiber, enlarged prostate, lack of exercise, ingesting foreign objects, tumors, trauma, medication side effect, and dehydration
• Diarrhea is runny or watery stool that may be caused by worms, infections, diet, stress, and allergies
• Tumors in the anal area include anal sac adenocarcinoma, perianal tumor, or skin tumor
• An itchy anus due to allergies, especially food allergies

There are many possible causes of scooting but the most common include:

• Anal sac impaction
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Tumor
• Worms
• Allergic skin disease

Irregardless of the cause, ignoring the problem will not make it go away. In fact, whatever the issue, it is likely to get worse. Although it is extremely rare, in some cases ignoring the scooting can be very dangerous for your pet if it ends up being a cancerous tumor or infected anal gland. A quick trip to the veterinarian’s office can help solve the problem with minimal stress to your dog (and yourself). Once you give the veterinarian your dog’s medical history and immunization records, be sure to mention if you have given him any kind of medication (prescription or over the counter) because it can affect the diagnosis and treatment. The veterinarian will check your dog’s overall health, vital signs, and behavior before doing a thorough examination of the anal area.

Palpation and rectal examination will be done and a stool sample will be taken for microscopic evaluation. This will be checked for bacteria, worms, protozoa, and other anomalies. If the anal sacs are impacted, the veterinarian will express the sacs and may take a sample to be microscopically examined if the issue is an ongoing one. An ultrasound of the area will be done to examine the anal sacs and if any masses are found, a sample will be taken for biopsy. Routine blood tests will be performed and the veterinarian may get some radiographs (x-rays) and a CT scan if necessary.

The treatment for scooting depends on the cause. Anal gland expression, medication, and even surgery may be needed for some conditions such as tumors.

Anal Gland Expression

To express the anal glands, the veterinarian will just apply pressure to both sides of the anal opening on the outside of each anal gland. Pushing in and upward should cause the material to come out of the sacs.

Medication

If there is an infection, the vet will give your dog a course of antibiotics and may send you home with a prescription for pain medicine. A diet with more fiber will likely be recommended to prevent a recurrence. Medication for worms depends on which type of worm your dog has.

Surgery

The veterinarian may perform surgery to remove a tumor or you may be sent to a veterinary surgeon or pathologist. If the tumor is malignant (cancerous), your dog may need radiation or chemotherapy as well.

Your dog’s prognosis is good, but the scooting may return if the problem recurs. Anal gland impaction can become chronic and your veterinarian may recommend removal of the glands to stop the problem. If your dog has worms, be sure to follow the instructions for the medication and check for worms in the fecal matter for several weeks. If you have questions, call your veterinarian.