{"id":650,"date":"2018-02-28T17:02:21","date_gmt":"2018-02-28T21:02:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beverlyhillsvets.com\/blog\/?p=650"},"modified":"2024-04-03T11:06:18","modified_gmt":"2024-04-03T18:06:18","slug":"anal-sacs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beverlyhillsvets.com\/blog\/anal-sacs\/","title":{"rendered":"Anal Sacs Can Really Bite You in the Butt"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"analDog owners are pretty comfortable looking at their dog\u2019s rear end, picking up feces, and generally staying on top of the poop schedule. This level of acceptance goes with the territory of dog ownership. However, if there\u2019s one thing that makes an owner scrunch up their nose and look away, it\u2019s the anal sacs. Tough to talk about? Maybe. Hard to express the sacs at home? Absolutely.<\/p>\n

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What, Where, Why<\/h3>\n

Anal sacs are a pair of glands located between the sphincter muscles just inside the anus. The glands secrete oil and sweat that\u2019s brown in color and quite smelly. Their unmistakable scent allows dogs to identify each other (sort of like marking territory), but another purpose is to smooth the exit of passing stool.<\/p>\n

Their shape is short and narrow. If impacted and left alone, anal sacs can create uncomfortable \u2013 and even painful \u2013 problems for a dog.<\/p>\n

A Closer Look<\/h3>\n

Anal sacs can fill up, and sometimes a dog is unable to discharge the fluid inside. This is where the famous \u201cbutt scoot\u201d comes in. Typically, when a dog defecates, the anal glands release fluid to help move the stool out of the body. When the fluid remains in the glands, it can thicken, becoming impacted, inflamed, and then infected.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also not unheard of for anal sacs to abscess and rupture, a condition requiring emergency veterinary care.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s to Blame?<\/h3>\n

Diarrhea that lasts longer than a day can lead to problems with the anal sacs. This is due to a lack of pressure on the glands from solid stool. Even without release, the glands continue to produce fluid, causing swelling and impaction over time.<\/p>\n

No Fun<\/h3>\n

This is often very uncomfortable for a dog, but it\u2019s not a stretch to say that impacted anal sacs are painful. It\u2019s critical to empty the sacs to prevent an infection, a process that sometimes needs anesthetics, sedatives, antibiotics, and pain relief. Surgery is required in severe cases<\/a> of blocked anal sacs.<\/p>\n

Healthy Anal Sacs<\/h3>\n

We might discuss gradual dietary changes<\/a> for your dog. A moderate increase in fiber can help, but we may consider protein choices, as well.<\/p>\n

Increasing the frequency of exercise and maintaining a healthy weight also reduce risks associated with your dog\u2019s anal sacs.<\/p>\n

If any of these symptoms are present, we recommend an examination:<\/p>\n