Anal Sac Disease

Overview:

The anal sacs sit low on either side of the anus and aid in defecation. They contain a fish-smelling, brown liquid that is expressed during a bowel movement. If they are not expressed regularly, they can become infected or impacted.

Causes:

The absolute cause of anal sac disorders is unknown, but chronic soft stool, recent diarrhea, or poor muscle tone can contribute to the problem. Overweight pets are also more prone to develop impacted anal glands.

Symptoms:

Most dogs will scoot their rear end on the ground when the anal sacs are becoming distended. Tail chasing and chewing at their bottom is also common. Some dogs will act constipated. If the anal sac has ruptured, a bloody, purulent discharge can be seen on either side of the anus.

Treatment:

If the glands are only full, expressing them is all that is needed. If they have become infected, abscessed, or impacted, oral antibiotics are needed. If the glands become chronically infected, surgical removal of one gland may be needed. Both glands should never be removed as this will cause chronic constipation. Some pets will need to have their glands expressed every 6 weeks for maintenance.