Dogs have anal glands on either side of their anus that produce a strong smelling fluid. When dogs defaecate, these anal glands are normally expressed. This probably originally aided dogs in marking their territory.
If there is a variation in the placement of anal glands, their structure or the structure of the duct from the anal gland to the anus, the anal glands might not express normally and become overly full. Some dogs have anal glands that produce thick material which is more difficult to express. Allergies can predispose dogs to having impacted anal glands due to changes in the skin around the anal gland duct opening. Having soft stool also reduces the amount of anal gland contents that are expressed during toileting, predisposing pets to overfilling and impaction of the glands.
Signs of anal gland issues include:
If you notice any of these signs, please make an appointment with your vet to have your dog’s anal glands expressed and discuss possible causes and preventative strategies.
