Cats and dogs of both sexes have anal glands, and loose stools and improper drainage can lead to odor, infection, abscesses and discomfort. Understanding how these problems arise can help pet owners tend to an anal gland issue at the first sign of trouble, while also preventing problems from occurring in the first place.
How Anal Gland Problems Occur
Anal glands continually secrete a fluid that serves as a scent marker to other animals when the animal has a bowel movement. A pet with consistently firm stools will likely need only the occasional anal gland expression, but even a short bout of loose stools can lead to fluid accumulation and ultimately, infection.
When a bowel movement occurs, the firm stool will apply pressure to the anal glands, naturally expressing the fluid. Pet owners can maintain proper stool consistency by feeding a high-quality pet food and fresh food supplements that are high in fiber, like carrots.
Unfortunately, even a short bout of diarrhea can result in abnormally loose stools that fail to naturally express the glands leading to an accumulation of fluid inside the anal glands, also known as “impaction.” A pet who is consistently producing soft stools for a long period of time will also be prone to this condition.
When fluid accumulates inside the anal glands, located at the five o’clock and seven o’clock position on either side of the anal opening, the fluid thickens, making it even less likely to emerge naturally. This fluid accumulation results in an uncomfortable sensation of pressure in the hind quarters, leading to licking and scooting in an attempt to relieve some of the discomfort. A strong metallic, fishy odor is also commonly present.
“If the anal glands are not expressed properly and fluid accumulates, bacteria grows and an abscess – a pocket of infection beneath the skin’s surface – forms, leading to pain and discomfort. If the problem is not caught early, the abscess can rupture, and you’ll end up with a painful, messy situation that often requires us to go in to flush and surgically close the wound,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM.
How to Avoid Anal Gland Problems
The most effective way to prevent anal gland problems from occurring is to regularly express the glands, whether it’s at home or at the veterinarian’s office. Some full-service groomers are capable of expressing the glands as well. How often the glands need to be expressed depends on the dog, as smaller dogs typically require this procedure more often. Consulting your veterinarian is the best way to determine the ideal frequency for anal gland expression.
The glands should also be expressed as needed during and immediately after a bout of diarrhea. This will remove the fluid before it thickens and becomes a staging area for bacteria and infection.
For a pet who is prone to loose stools, providing fresh pureed or canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) once a day can help firm up a dog’s stool. Add one teaspoon (for a smaller dog) or two teaspoons (for a larger dog) to the pet’s meal once a day to promote healthy stool consistency. Notably, pumpkin can also serve to loosen a pet’s stool when constipation is the problem.
Feeding a high-quality pet food and fresh food supplements high in fiber, like carrots, will also promote proper stool consistency, which promotes natural drainage.
Understanding the symptoms that signal a problem and knowing when to schedule a visit to the veterinarian’s office is also key.
Dr. Levine added, “If you express the anal glands but still observe scooting, licking, and an odor, it’s time to seek help. Treating the infection early on leads to a much hastier recovery. Ignore the problem and it’s very likely your pet could end up with a painful abscess that will be difficult to heal and costly to treat.”
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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