The anal glands in dogs and cats
Anal glands are a type of small sacs located in the sphincter muscle of the anus, containing a strongly smelling fluid. The anal glands are connected to the anus by a narrow tube. When solid stool passes by the anal sacs, it presses on the sacs and causes them to empty. Dogs can also empty their anal glands when they are frightened, releasing a strong odor.
Healthy anal glands are not visible under the skin and cannot be felt. However, the anal glands can become overfull and/or inflamed. You can then feel the anal glands under the skin when you move your hand over the area, and you may also see them; you will notice two small subcutaneous ‘lumps’ on the left and right under the anus. Overfull anal glands can cause problems for your dog or cat.
Overfull anal glands
Sometimes the anal glands do not empty automatically or regularly. When this does not happen automatically, the strongly smelling fluid accumulates in the anal glands. Eventually, the fluid can even dry out.
Anal glands can become overfull due to diarrhea or soft stool (which does not put pressure on the anal sacs and therefore no emptying occurs) or a blockage in the tube from the anal gland to the anus.
Overfull anal glands can lead to unpleasant health problems. For example, the anal sacs can tear. This causes the contents of the anal sacs to leak into the surrounding tissue, causing inflammation; this is known as anal gland infection. An anal gland infection can be recognized by a red lump under or next to the anus. In an advanced stage of infection, this lump can open and pus, along with the contents of the anal sacs, will come out. This is also called a ruptured anal gland infection.
How can you recognize anal gland problems?
When a dog or cat suffers from overfull anal glands, the animal may show this in various ways. One of the most well-known symptoms is ‘scooting’. Overfull anal glands cause itching around the anus. A dog or cat will try to relieve this itch by scooting, dragging their rear end across the ground. Besides scooting, a dog or cat may also bite or lick their anus to reduce the itching.
It may also be that a dog is less willing to go for walks or that it frequently sits down during walks because it is uncomfortable due to its anal glands.
Finally, a ruptured anal gland infection can be recognized by the open sore under the anus. If you do not recognize a ruptured anal gland infection by the open sore, you can still smell it!
The treatment of overfull anal glands
It goes without saying that overfull anal glands need to be emptied. But be careful! You should not regularly squeeze the anal glands yourself when they are not yet full. Doing so can disrupt the natural process, causing the glands to produce fluid faster and the anal glands to fill up more quickly again.
If your dog or cat suffers from overfull anal glands, schedule an appointment with the veterinarian. The vet can then empty the anal glands. Do not try to do this yourself, especially if you do not know how.
If your dog or cat has an anal gland infection, the vet will first need to empty the anal sacs. Then you will receive a course of antibiotics for your pet. You may also be given anti-inflammatory medication. It may be necessary for the vet to empty the anal glands again after the antibiotic treatment.
In the case of a ruptured anal gland infection, it is important that the wound is thoroughly rinsed and kept clean. Here too, you will receive antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication from the vet.
