Symptoms of Anal Gland Problems in Dogs
If your pets anal glands fill up excessively it can create pressure which can be very uncomfortable for your dog or cat. When this happens your dog might display symptoms of anal gland problems, the most common of which is scooting their rear end across the floor. Besides scooting, other symptoms of anal gland problems in dogs include a fishy or foul odor from your pet, excessive licking of the rear end, discomfort while walking or sitting, straining to defecate, or redness/swelling near the rear end.
How Do I Know If My Dog Needs His Glands Expressed (Drained)?
The symptoms are pretty easy to spot to know if it’s time for anal gland expression.
If you see blood or pus around your dog’s anus, it’s time to visit your veterinarian as soon as possible. These symptoms could indicate a serious infection or ruptured anal sacs.
Everything You Need to Know About Your Dog’s Anal Glands
Anal gland problems affect millions of pets and are a very common and frustrating problem. Anal gland issues arise when the anal glands of dogs and cats becoming over-filled, blocked, or irritated. All dogs and cats have these two small glands (sometimes referred to as anal sacs) near the anal opening. These glands which are typically the size of a small grape normally release a few drops of scent marking fluid whenever your pet defecates (observed near the end of defecation).
The illustration in figure 1 shows the relative size and position of the anal glands in dogs (often referred to as anal sacs). Note that the anal glands are internal and cannot be seen when viewing the rear end of a dog. When the anal glands become blocked or swollen they can enlarge which creates discomfort for your pet. Your pet may try to relieve this pressure by scooting or licking the area. This illustration shows only one enlarged anal gland but in most cases both anal glands are affected.
