Causes and treatment of inflamed anal glands in dogs

Anal sacculitis in dogs occurs when there is inflammation and / or infection in the glands of this area. These are two sacs that are located on the sides of the animal's rectum, very close to the anus, which secrete a lubricating fluid that, in addition to having the function of lubricating the feces, have a strong unique smell in each dog. In this way, they are useful so that dogs do not have problems to expel their feces and so that they can communicate well with each other. It is for this reason that these animals, when they meet, smell the other's butt, to identify this unique smell in each one, with which they not only know who that dog is, but also identify their state of health, if they are in heat, etc.

The anal sacs can become clogged or impacted, which causes great inflammation and much pain and, if they are not emptied correctly, they can also become infected, producing an anal abscess or other problems. Therefore, so that you can help your furry, in this article we will discuss what are the causes and treatment of inflamed glands in dogs .

Causes of inflamed anal glands in dogs

There are few reasons why this problem may appear to be nega- tive. Mainly, we can highlight the following causes of inflammation of the anal glands in dogs:

  • Lack of emptying of the glands: this causes impact or obstruction, because the accumulated fluid hardens and blocks the outlet of the gland. It can happen due to a health problem or changes like the ones that we will comment next, or it can happen when the dog is already old or even when a dog is pregnant.
  • Lack of fiber and fatty acids: the lack of these nutrients, and also of others, hinders intestinal transit and the expulsion of feces, which can irritate the area of ​​the rectum and the exit area of ​​this glandular fluid.
  • Intestinal diseases: whether problems such as slow transit, constipation, diarrhea or others in this part of the digestive system, irritation of the mucosa of the entire tract is one of the most immediate effects. Thus, due to this irritation it is easy to appear inflammation in this end area of ​​the tract to be more forced.
  • Change of diet: sudden changes in diet facilitate the appearance of gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea and constipation, which irritate and inflame the entire mucosa and glands.
  • Changes in stool: changes in consistency, texture and color, which may indicate a change in acidity, may be the cause of inflammation in this area of ​​the rectum.

Symptoms of inflammation of the anal glands in dogs

How to know if my dog ​​has anal glands full and inflamed? This is a question that must be raised to learn how to take good care of our hairy and that, apart from informing us on our own, it is advisable to ask the veterinarian to explain how to detect this type of problem in our furry companion in order to help him and know when It is really necessary to take it to the vet.

Among the symptoms of inflammation in the anal glands in dogs we also usually detect signs of infection in the glands. Thus, these are the main symptoms that must be observed:

  • Inflammation in the anal area, can even be on one side or observe both sides swollen.
  • Perineal or anal abscesses
  • General discomfort.
  • Difficulty to relax and sleep.
  • Constant licking in the perianal area.
  • The dog drags its back on the ground to relieve the discomfort.

If these symptoms are not observed and no action is taken, in the end the glands may open or burst on their own, which will cause a lot of pain to the dog and will allow the appearance of an infection, which can be easily aggravated.

Treatment of inflamed anal glands in dogs

What to do if my dog ​​has inflamed anal glands? If you have noticed that your hairy has this problem you will surely ask yourself this question. It is normal that at home we do not know very well what to do when this condition appears in this delicate area and many people make the mistake of thinking, in the face of a simple inflammation, that it can heal itself. However, as we have said before, this simple condition can easily get worse, with a serious infection appearing and then spreading to more areas in the nearby area.

So, in case they are already inflamed, it is necessary to take your dog to the veterinarian so that he can clean the area well and apply the corresponding treatment, depending on the cause. The veterinarian will empty the anal sacs appropriately and apply an anti-inflammatory and, most likely, antibiotics and other medications. In addition, you may be prescribed an ointment for the anal glands of dogs, that is, it is dog- specific.

If the case of obstruction and inflammation of your furry is recurrent and even if you usually have infections or abscesses, it is likely that the veterinarian recommends making an operation of anal glands to your dog, because you may appreciate that it comes out more to account surgery to remove them that not all the problems that your faithful friend is having.

To avoid these problems, it is best to learn to empty the anal glands in dogs periodically, usually once a month although it depends on the dog. In this way, the good functioning of this area is maintained and the liquid will hardly accumulate. If you do not know how to do it, in this other article we explain how to clean my dog's anal glands step by step. You will see that it is very simple and that you will help the health of your hairy one.