Many mammals, including dogs and cats, have anal glands. Dog anal glands (also known as dog anal sac) are scent glands that are located on either side of your dog’s anus.
What You Need to Know About Anal Gland Problems in Dogs
The anal glands connect to a small tube that produces a fluid when pressed. This normally happens naturally when the dog defecates (poops). The liquid is strong smelling, and most humans find it unpleasant.
The exact purpose of the anal glands is not known for sure. Strictly speaking dogs can live without anal glands if they for some reason must be removed. Still, as all dog owners know the anal glands play a very important role in their dogs’ social life.
Because the scent the anal glands produce contains important information about the dog’s health, as well as the dog’s sex and age. Therefore, checking the anal glands is usually the first thing that most dogs do when they meet another dog.
The anal glands should empty when the dog defecates. If they don’t empty properly, the anal glands can become blocked, and if not treated, anal gland abscess (anal gland infection) can develop.
Anal sac disease in dogs is a broad term used for various anal gland problems in dogs, including:
Blocked Anal Glands
Blocked anal glands in dogs or anal gland impaction is when the anal gland fluid thickens, and the anal glands become blocked. Blocked anal glands are relatively common problem but fortunately in most cases it is simple to treat them by expressing the dog’s anal glands.
Dog Anal Gland Infection
Infected swollen dog glands are a painful condition. The infection prevents the anal gland liquid from leaving the dog anal sac. Instead, the fluid builds up inside the gland. The infection can lead to anal sac abscess, which happens when the build-up of fluids and swollen tissue cause the gland opening to be obstructed.
Ruptured Anal Gland
If the anal abscess in dogs is not treated, then the anal gland can rupture which is extremely painful condition. Which is why you should take any sign of anal glands discomfort seriously.
There can be many reasons for your dog’s anal gland problems. It may even be a combination of factors.
However, the most common causes are usually linked to poor gastrointestinal health. Because for the anal glands to empty properly, the stools need to be firm and healthy. Chronic soft stools, e.g. caused by insufficient dietary fiber, will make it difficult for the anal glands to empty completely.
Other common causes can include allergies, obesity, too frequent expressing of the anal glands, parasites and various illnesses (infections, cancer). The cause may even be genetic as smaller breeds are more prone to anal gland problems (though any breed can develop anal gland problems).
The symptoms of blocked anal glands in dogs can vary but the most common symptoms include:
Any dog can have problem with their anal glands and there is no difference between male and female dog anal glands. However, research has shown that some dog breeds are more prone to developing anal gland issues than others. Age also plays a role; anal gland issues are more common in older dogs.
Recent study showed that blocked anal glands (anal gland impaction) is more common in older dogs and that 4% of all dogs can develop anal sac impaction each year.
They also found that some breeds and types of dogs are more prone of developing anal gland problems than others, including most types of Spaniels, but also Poodles, Shih-tzus and Bichon Frise. While Labradors, Border Collie, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Lurcher, German Shepherds and Boxers, showed reduced odds. Flat faced dogs had also increased risk of anal sac disorders than long-faced dogs.
It is though important to remember that any dog can develop anal gland problems at any age. It is therefore important for dog owners to know the symptoms and what can be done to treat and prevent anal gland issues in dogs.
Most anal gland problems in dogs are easy to treat with manual expression of the anal glands, though sometimes antibiotics, steroid ointments and anti-inflammatory pain medication may be needed as well. In severe cases, surgery may be required.
Therefore, if your dog is showing any signs or symptoms of anal gland problems, you should seek Veterinarians advice.
There are things you can do to support your dog’s anal gland health, like keeping your dog’s weight within the healthy weight range as overweight dogs tend to have weaker muscles around their bottom which makes emptying the anal glands more difficult.
Ensuring your dog’s diet is rich in quality fiber is another important thing you can do to support your dog’s anal gland health. Because healthy firm stools are required to create enough pressure to empty the anal glands during defecation.
Using an anal gland supplement like maxxiscoot can also help to ensure healthy stools and healthy anal gland function.
Most experts are not in favour of expressing the anal glands if the dog is not showing any signs of anal gland problems.
Expressing dogs’ anal glands routinely is therefore not recommended. It could actually cause more harm than good as applying the pressure wrongly could cause painful complications for the dog.
