How do you know if your dog is having anal gland issues?

Anal glands, also known as anal sacs, commonly create issues for dogs, especially small breeds and dogs with chronic soft stools. There are a variety of conditions that can affect a dog’s anal sacs that share similar symptoms. If you have a dog, read on to learn:

• What anal sac issues can dogs have?
• How do I know if my dog has an issue with their anal glands?
• How is anal sac disease diagnosed and treated?
• Does my dog need regular anal gland expressions?

Manually emptying, or expressing, of the anal sacs is often part of treating anal sac disease, but this should only be done under the guidance or direction of a veterinarian. Healthy anal sacs empty naturally when a dog has normal stools. However, medical issues such as anal sac abscesses and infection, impaction, rupture, and cancer can occur.

The anal glands are two small scent glands under the skin on either side of the anus, each within its own sac. Anal sacs in dogs produce a foul-smelling liquid when a dog defecates. Dogs also tend to release anal gland fluid when they are suddenly scared or injured. A dog’s anal sacs can become diseased, causing discomfort and other symptoms.

Canine anal glands can develop various problems that cause discomfort. Some of these conditions are progressive and can become worse over time. It is rare for anal sac diseases to be life-threatening. Anal sac disorders in dogs include:

• Impaction
• Infection (anal sacculitis) and abscesses
• Ruptured anal glands
• Anal gland tumors

“Impacted anal glands may become infected, or it can happen the other way around. Either way, the affected anal gland may rupture,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. “It usually isn’t important which condition occurred first when creating a treatment plan.”

Tumors can grow around the anus and within the anal sacs. Some tumors are benign and harmless, while others are cancerous. The prognosis for malignant tumors varies widely based on tumor size, how they’ve spread, the stage at diagnosis, and the treatment protocol.

How common are anal gland issues in dogs?

Anal sac impaction, infection, and rupture are very common in small dog breeds, but occur less frequently in larger breeds. The three conditions are interrelated, and a dog might have all three at once. Anal sac cancer is uncommon in dogs.

Symptoms of anal sac disease can vary by the type and severity of the condition. Many symptoms of anal sac disease also occur in healthy pets or with other conditions, making it difficult to determine if an anal gland problem is present. Signs of anal sac issues in dogs include:

• Scooting on the floor
• Foul odor
• Excessive licking or biting at the anus
• Constipation
• Reluctance to sit down
• Discharge from the anus
• Open wound near the anus
• Skin inflammation around the anus
• Swelling or growths around the anus

Anal scooting, redness, swelling, and discomfort accompanied by a consistent foul odor are present in most cases of anal sac disease in dogs. In addition to a mass or swelling near the anus, dogs with anal sac cancer may also exhibit:

• Lethargy
• Swelling of the lymph nodes
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite

Diagnosis of anal sac disease involves a physical exam, usually including a rectal exam. Sometimes, a rectal exam is enough to diagnose abnormal anal sacs. However, additional testing may be recommended, such as:

• Blood work
• Diagnostic imaging such as X-rays or ultrasounds
• Bacterial culture of anal gland secretions
• Biopsy of the anal sac or surrounding tissue

The first step for treating impacted or infected anal sacs is usually to manually express, or empty them. Depending on the diagnosis, other treatments for anal sac diseases may include:

• Antibiotics
• Anti-inflammatories or pain medication
• Flushing the anal sacs
• Lancing and draining an anal gland abscess
• Surgical treatment
• Chemo and radiation therapy

Surgery may be the best option for dogs with frequently impacted anal glands or tumors, but this treatment carries a risk for fecal incontinence.

Anal sac problems occur more commonly in small and toy breeds than in larger dogs. Obese dogs are also at a higher risk of anal sac disease. Other risk factors include low-fiber diets, chronic loose stools or constipation, and food allergies.

Anal sac tumors occur most often in middle-aged to senior dogs. There is no difference in occurrence between males and females, but intact dogs who have not been spayed or neutered are at a higher risk. Any dog can develop anal gland cancer, but breeds that are most commonly affected include spaniel breeds, Alaskan malamutes, dachshunds, German shepherds, and golden retrievers.

Dogs with anal sac disease often show signs such as licking the anal region, redness or swelling around the anus, scooting their hind end on the floor, or developing a consistent, foul-smelling odor. It can be difficult to know if a dog needs to have their anal glands expressed based on these symptoms, because some of them also occur with normal anal sac function. Redness, swelling, or open sores are sometimes indicators of an anal gland problem. Anal sac expression on a dog with a ruptured gland or severe infection can be very painful and make the situation worse, so talk to a veterinarian before trying to express your dog’s anal glands at home.

Can I express my dog’s anal glands at home?

Healthy anal sacs express themselves a little bit every time a dog has a firm bowel movement. Dogs also manage their anal glands by licking and scooting to get some of the fluid out. Routinely expressing the anal glands yourself is not advised unless recommended by a veterinarian. Doing so may make the situation worse. While some dogs allow their owners to express their glands, most owners leave the work for veterinary staff or groomers.

Expressing anal glands can be uncomfortable for dogs even when the glands are healthy, and it may be unsafe to attempt an anal sac expression if your dog does not tolerate it well. If you have been instructed to express your dog’s glands on a regular basis, ask a vet how to do it safely or make regular appointments with a professional who can express your dog’s glands instead. If your dog is exhibiting symptoms of anal sac disease or you are concerned about expressing anal glands at home, veterinary professionals are available to help through virtual vet appointments with Vetster.

Do anal glands in dogs need to be expressed?

Healthy anal glands do not need to be expressed. They discharge some fluid automatically every time the dog has a firm bowel movement, and licking and scooting can also relieve anal gland pressure. Expressing anal glands is not a routine part of caring for or grooming a dog. It is not advised that dog owners take on manual anal sac expression unless specifically directed to do so by a veterinarian.

How can you tell if a dog’s anal glands are full?

Dogs naturally empty their anal glands during bowel movements. If your dog is experiencing anal sac disease, they may solve the problem by scooting their hind end on the floor or by licking their anus. You may notice a foul, fishy odor any time anal gland fluid is released, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there is a problem. Always talk to a veterinarian about anal sac symptoms before attempting to express anal glands yourself at home.

What is the life expectancy of a dog with anal gland cancer?

The prognosis and survival times of dogs with anal sac cancer are widely variable. The size of the tumor, metastasis, type of cancer, and response to treatment all affect a dog’s survival time.