The butt of the joke

What you need to know about anal glands

Anal glands, otherwise known as anal sacks, are small paired pouches located between the internal and external anal sphincter muscles. They are positioned one on each side of the anus at roughly the 4 and 8 o’clock positions. These glands secrete an oily, brownish substance that has a strong odour. Liquid held in the sac is usually expelled when a dog defecates, but if this emptying does not occur, the material inside thickens and becomes more difficult to pass. This is when you might see your dog scooting his bum along the ground or licking his anal area. If the anal glands are not emptied, they can become impacted, and an abscess can form, which then bursts through the skin, leaving a smell, bloody, painful mess. This may be a once-off occurrence, such as during an episode of loose stools or a recurring issue.

CAUSES OF ANAL GLAND PROBLEMS

• Obesity. Obese dogs seem to have more trouble with their anal glands than slimmer individuals, probably because the extra body fat in the anal region lessens the pressure that passing faeces apply to the glands to empty them.

• Breed. Anal gland impactions are more often diagnosed in small breeds like Toy and Miniature Poodles and Chihuahuas. Basset Hounds and Beagles are also regularly affected. Dogs of any age or sex can be affected.

• Gastrointestinal diseases. Food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease and other gastrointestinal conditions can cause concomitant anal gland issues because the anal sacs usually only empty when they get firm pressure from a solid bowel movement. Dogs with gastrointestinal diseases often have soft or unformed stools that do not adequately stimulate the glands to empty, causing fluid to build up.

• Diet. While a change in diet alone won’t resolve a significant anal gland issue once it has developed, feeding a diet rich in fibre may help prevent future episodes. The pressure of the firm, bulky stool against the colon wall near the anus can help to express the anal gland contents when the dog passes faeces.

• Duct anomalies. Some dogs are born with very narrow ducts to drain the anal glands, thereby obstructing the flow of anal sac material. In other cases, ducts can be damaged by perianal infections, trauma (sometimes from too frequent or rough emptying of the glands by humans), allergies or inflammation.

• Gland anomalies. Some dogs have poorly positioned anal glands e.g. located deep in the rectum.

• Other. Other potential causes include anal sphincter muscle dysfunction, distended anal glands and overproduction of anal gland material.

SIGNS OF IMPACTED OR INFECTED ANAL GLANDS

While scooting could be one possible symptom of anal gland problems, this behaviour could also have other causes, such as parasites or digestive issues (or simply an itchy butt!). Typically, a dog with impacted anal glands will scoot more than once or twice and can also be seen licking the anal area. Redness or swelling around the sphincter indicates that the glands are becoming infected, as is blood or pus in your dog’s stool or left behind on the carpet after they have finished scooting.

SHOULD YOU EXPRESS THE GLANDS YOURSELF?

The first thing to note is that not all dogs will require assistance to express their anal glands, and these dogs (and their anal glands) should be left to their own devices! If your dog does require anal gland expression, and you want to be able to do it yourself, you must be taught by someone familiar with the process, like a vet or vet nurse, so you do not cause harm. As you can imagine – an improper expression can be very uncomfortable for your dog!

Two techniques can be employed to empty the anal glands – one is external, and one is internal. The external one is usually safe to attempt at home, but we would advise you to get a professional to do the internal procedure to avoid harming your dog.

• External. External expression is done using a tissue or cloth to gently squeeze the anal area from the outside and massage out the fluid. It is usually not possible to completely empty the anal sacs in this way.

• Internal. An internal expression is done by inserting a gloved index finger into the anus and gently squeezing each anal sac (one at a time) between the index finger and thumb. The internal method is more effective, especially if the material in the anal sacs is thick. However, we would advise you to get your vet to help you do this, rather than attempt it alone. The procedure is invasive, the internal structures are delicate and your dog has to be kept calm and still. In cases where the anus or surrounding area appears red, inflamed and thickened or has an open sore, you must take the dog to the vet as an infection or abscess may be present. Similarly, if your dog is in a lot of pain when you embark on this procedure, take him to your vet. These issues require proper assessment and treatment.

WHEN TO CALL A VET

If you are concerned that your pet has an anal sac problem, call your vet at once.

Treatment for impaction involves expressing or emptying the anal glands. If the impaction is severe or if there is an infection, it may be necessary to flush out the affected sac to remove the solidified material. Since these conditions are painful, some pets require a sedative or anaesthetic for the treatment. Antibiotics are often prescribed orally and sometimes may need to be instilled into the glands themselves. Most dogs will require pain relief medications for several days until the swelling and inflammation have subsided. In advanced or severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

Anal glands can be removed surgically, but this process has risks, including damaging the nerves and the anal sphincter during surgery. This can leave the dog faecally incontinent. There is also a small risk that some of the anal gland wall can get left behind, and if this happens, the dog can develop a draining sinus as the remaining tissue keeps making fluid. In these cases, a follow-up surgery is normally necessary.

HOW TO PREVENT ANAL GLAND PROBLEMS

The best way to prevent anal gland problems is to avoid ‘fiddling’ with the glands unless you need to and to feed your dog a healthy, fibrous diet that keeps his gut working optimally. If you have any concerns about your dog’s anal glands, contact your vet immediately.

NOTE: Most vets will help with anal gland expressions even if the dog is well and has no anal gland issues. The cost of this is usually minimal.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Whilst anal glands are not a pleasant topic dogs can become very uncomfortable and unwell if anal gland issues are not resolved. Chat to your vet today if you have any concerns, and be observant to make sure you notice any signs of issues early on when they are easier to manage.