Have you ever seen your dog dragging his or her bottom along the ground? This peculiar act is known as ‘scooting’ and can indicate your dog has irritated anal glands.
The infamous anal glands are located on either side of your dog’s anus. Each gland holds a small amount of a smelly brown liquid that is released as your pet does a poo. This custom scent is left on the poo and is used as a doggie calling card.
In some cases the glands can become blocked/impacted and uncomfortable.
Dogs that suffer from allergies and itchy skin are also very susceptible to irritated anal glands. They often become infected and in a few cases can turn into an abscess which can be very painful.
Anal gland irritations are treated by emptying the glands and in some cases short term medication.
Anal gland infections and abscesses need urgent treatment. Quite often we will see pets presented with a burst anal gland abscess. They can start as an irritation followed by swelling that grows, and finally a burst open wound. Most will need to have the gland flushed under sedation or anaesthesia and the abscess drained. We sometimes infuse a special antibiotic gel into the infected gland along with oral medication as well.
Watch out for:
– Rubbing bottom on the ground especially after defecating
– A foul odour (some describe it as a ‘fishy’ smell)
– Licking or chewing the bottom\
– Redness or swelling around the bottom
– Turning around suddenly ( as though something is painful)
– Soft stools or diarrhoea – the glands can become impacted following a bout of diarrhoea
