Anal gland problems are among the most common reasons dogs visit a veterinarian — yet they are one of the conditions owners are least likely to discuss or recognise until the signs are unmistakable. The characteristic scooting, persistent licking, and unpleasant odour that accompany anal gland issues are hard to miss once you know what to look for.
If your dog has been scooting along the floor, licking or biting at their rear end, or you have noticed an unpleasant fishy odour, contact Walker Lake Veterinary Centre at (587) 786-6771 for an assessment.
Anal gland problems are uncomfortable and sometimes painful for dogs — but they are highly treatable when addressed promptly. Left untreated, impacted glands can progress to infection and abscess, which is significantly more painful and requires more intensive treatment.
What Are Anal Glands?
Anal glands — more accurately called anal sacs — are two small glands located just inside the anal opening, one on each side at approximately the four o’clock and eight o’clock positions. Each gland is connected to the surface by a small duct that opens just inside the anal ring.
The glands produce a distinctive, strong-smelling secretion — a liquid ranging from pale yellow to dark brown in colour with a characteristic fishy, musky odour. This secretion is used primarily for scent marking and individual recognition between dogs. You may have noticed dogs sniffing each other’s rear ends when they meet — this is them reading each other’s anal gland secretions.
Under normal circumstances, the glands express naturally during defecation — the pressure of passing a firm stool squeezes the glands and releases a small amount of secretion. Problems arise when this natural expression fails to occur adequately.
What Causes Anal Gland Problems?
Impaction
The most common anal gland problem. Impaction occurs when the gland does not empty adequately during defecation — the secretion builds up, thickens, and eventually becomes so viscous that the duct becomes blocked. The gland becomes overfull, swollen, and uncomfortable.
Impaction is most commonly caused by:
- Soft stools or chronic diarrhoea — soft faeces do not provide sufficient pressure on the glands during defecation
- Obesity — excess body fat around the anal area reduces the mechanical pressure on the glands during defecation
- Small breed anatomy — small breeds have proportionally smaller gland ducts that are more prone to blockage
- Abnormal gland secretion — some dogs produce thicker secretion that does not drain freely
Infection
If impaction is not resolved, bacteria — introduced through the gland duct from the anal area — multiply within the stagnant secretion. The gland becomes infected and the secretion changes from normal fluid to thick, yellow, green, or blood-tinged pus. Infected glands are significantly more painful than impacted glands and require antibiotic treatment.
Abscess
The most serious progression of untreated infection. The infected gland fills with pus under increasing pressure until the surrounding tissue breaks down and the abscess ruptures — either internally into the surrounding tissue or externally through the skin beside the anus. An abscessed gland produces a visible, hot, painful swelling beside the anus, often red or purple in colour.
Rupture through the skin produces a draining wound beside the anus — alarming in appearance but actually representing some relief of pressure for the dog. Anal gland abscesses require prompt veterinary treatment including drainage, flushing, antibiotics, and pain management.
Allergies
Allergies — both environmental and food — are strongly associated with recurrent anal gland problems. Allergy causes inflammation throughout the body including the anal gland tissue, increasing secretion production and altering its consistency. Dogs with recurrent anal gland impaction — requiring expression more than every 2 to 3 months — should be investigated for underlying allergy.
Tumours
Anal sac adenocarcinoma is a malignant tumour of the anal gland that occurs in older dogs. It may be discovered incidentally during routine anal gland expression or may present with signs of anal gland disease. Some tumours produce a parathyroid hormone-related protein that causes hypercalcaemia — elevated blood calcium — which can cause increased thirst, urination, lethargy, and vomiting. Any firm mass associated with the anal gland in an older dog should be assessed promptly.
Which Dogs Are Most Affected?
Anal gland problems are significantly more common in certain groups:
- Small and toy breeds — Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Pugs, Toy Poodles, Cocker Spaniels, Bichon Frises, and Beagles are among the most commonly affected
- Overweight dogs — excess body weight reduces natural expression during defecation
- Dogs with chronic soft stools or diarrhoea
- Dogs with allergies — particularly food allergies
- Dogs with abnormally thick anal gland secretion
Large breeds can also develop anal gland problems but less commonly than small breeds.
Signs and Symptoms of Anal Gland Problems
Scooting
The most recognisable sign — the dog drags their bottom along the floor or grass. This is the dog’s attempt to relieve the discomfort and pressure of full or irritated anal glands. While scooting is the classic presentation, not all dogs with anal gland problems scoot — some simply lick or show other signs.
Licking and Biting
Persistent licking, chewing, or biting at the anal area, base of the tail, or hindquarters. This is often the primary sign in dogs that do not scoot.
Odour
The distinctive fishy, musky odour of anal gland secretion — more noticeable than normal and often present when the dog is resting — indicates the glands are full or leaking.
Discomfort When Sitting
Dogs with full or uncomfortable anal glands may sit down suddenly and then immediately stand up again, or be reluctant to sit. They may show discomfort when their tail is raised or their hindquarters handled.
Signs of Abscess
- Visible swelling beside the anus — red, purple, or discoloured
- Obvious pain when the tail is raised or the area is touched
- A draining wound beside the anus — may produce bloody or purulent discharge
- Significant lethargy and reduced appetite — signs of systemic illness from infection
- Fever
⚠️ A swollen, discoloured, painful swelling beside your dog’s anus is a sign of anal gland abscess. This requires same-day veterinary treatment. Do not attempt to express the gland at home.
Diagnosing Anal Gland Problems
Physical Examination
Anal gland problems are typically diagnosed on physical examination. The veterinarian palpates both glands through the rectal wall to assess their size, consistency, and contents. Normal glands are small and barely palpable. Impacted glands are enlarged and firm. Infected glands may be painful and produce abnormal secretion on expression. Abscesses are typically visible externally.
Cytology
In cases of infection or suspected tumour, a sample of the gland contents is examined microscopically. This confirms infection, identifies the organisms involved, and guides antibiotic selection.
Biopsy
Any firm mass associated with the anal gland should be biopsied or aspirated for cytological assessment to rule out neoplasia.
Bloodwork
For dogs suspected of having an anal sac adenocarcinoma, a blood calcium level is an important screening test given the association between this tumour and hypercalcaemia.
Treating Anal Gland Problems
Manual Expression
Impacted anal glands are expressed manually by the veterinarian or veterinary nurse. The glands are emptied by applying firm pressure to both sides simultaneously. This provides immediate relief for the dog.
Two techniques are used:
External expression — pressure applied from outside, suitable for mildly impacted glands with fluid secretion.
Internal expression — a gloved finger inserted rectally allows direct palpation and more complete emptying of each gland. This technique is more effective for significantly impacted or thickened secretion and is the technique used for most clinical expressions.
Gland Flushing
For infected glands where the secretion is too thick to express via the duct, flushing under sedation is required. A small catheter is inserted into the gland duct and the gland is irrigated with antiseptic solution and then infused with antibiotic preparation.
Antibiotics
Anal gland infections require a course of systemic antibiotics — typically 2 to 4 weeks depending on severity. The antibiotic is chosen based on cytology results where available.
Treating Abscesses
Anal gland abscesses require:
- Sedation for thorough examination and treatment
- Lancing and flushing of the abscess cavity
- Placement of a drain in some cases
- Systemic antibiotics for 4 to 6 weeks
- Anti-inflammatory and pain medication
- Daily warm compresses at home to promote drainage
- E-collar to prevent self-trauma
- Follow-up examinations to monitor healing
Anal Sacculectomy — Surgical Removal
For dogs with recurrent anal gland problems that do not respond to medical management, surgical removal of the affected gland or glands — anal sacculectomy — provides permanent resolution. The procedure carries a small risk of faecal incontinence if the nerves supplying the anal sphincter are damaged, but in experienced hands this risk is low. It is the treatment of choice for anal sac adenocarcinoma.
Preventing Anal Gland Problems
Dietary Management
Firm, well-formed stools provide the best natural expression of the anal glands during defecation. Dietary measures that promote firm stools include:
- Ensuring adequate dietary fibre — some dogs benefit from a small amount of added fibre such as plain canned pumpkin puree or a veterinary high-fibre diet
- Avoiding sudden dietary changes that cause diarrhoea
- Identifying and eliminating food allergens in dogs with allergy-associated anal gland problems
- Maintaining consistent, appropriate feeding portions
Weight Management
Maintaining a healthy body weight improves natural gland expression during defecation and reduces the frequency of manual expression needed.
Regular Expression
Some dogs require regular prophylactic expression — every 4 to 12 weeks depending on the individual — to prevent impaction. Your veterinarian or veterinary nurse can teach you to express the glands externally at home if this is appropriate for your dog, though internal expression by a professional is more effective.
Addressing Allergies
For dogs with allergy-associated recurrent anal gland problems, managing the underlying allergy reduces inflammation in the gland tissue and the frequency of impaction. Discuss allergy investigation with your veterinarian if your dog requires expression more frequently than every 8 to 12 weeks.
If your dog is scooting, licking their rear end, or you suspect anal gland problems, book an appointment at Walker Lake Veterinary Centre. Call (587) 786-6771 or book online. Located at 5109 22 Avenue SW, Southwest Edmonton.
Book an Appointment at Walker Lake Veterinary Centre
Walker Lake Veterinary Centre provides anal gland examination, expression, flushing, and treatment for anal gland conditions in dogs across Walker Lake, Summerside, Ellerslie, Heritage Valley, and Southwest Edmonton.
Call us at (587) 786-6771 or book online. We are located at 5109 22 Avenue SW, Edmonton.
Clinic hours:
- Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday & Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should dog anal glands be expressed?
Dogs that have normal anal gland function and firm stools typically express their glands naturally during defecation and never require manual expression. Dogs that require manual expression should only be expressed as often as clinically necessary — when the glands are full and causing discomfort. Routine prophylactic expression in a dog with no symptoms can cause inflammation over time. For dogs that do require regular expression, the interval varies from every 4 weeks to every 3 months depending on the individual.
Can I express my dog’s anal glands at home?
External expression can be learned and performed at home for dogs that require regular expression. Your veterinarian or veterinary nurse can teach you the correct technique. However, internal expression — which is more effective — should be performed by a veterinary professional. For dogs with recurrent infection or abscessation, professional expression and monitoring is strongly recommended.
Why does my dog keep needing their anal glands expressed?
Frequent anal gland impaction — requiring expression more than every 6 to 8 weeks — suggests an underlying cause. The most common reasons are allergies, chronic soft stools, obesity, and abnormally thick gland secretion. Identifying and addressing the underlying cause reduces the frequency of expression needed and prevents progression to infection and abscess.
Is anal gland expression painful for dogs?
Expression of normally filled glands is uncomfortable but should not be significantly painful. Dogs with infected or abscessed glands experience more significant pain and may require sedation for safe and thorough treatment. If your dog is showing signs of pain during or after expression, discuss this with your veterinarian — it may indicate infection or another complication.
What does normal anal gland secretion look like?
Normal anal gland secretion ranges from pale yellow to tan or light brown and is relatively fluid. Abnormal secretion — indicating impaction or infection — is typically thicker, darker brown to grey or green, and may be caseous or contain blood. The odour of abnormal secretion is typically more intense than normal.
