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Ask the Vet About Anal Sac Inflammation & Scooting
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While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.
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Is there anything you can recommend for severe anal itching?
There are many things that cause itching like that (allergies, mange, anal gland impaction, ringworm, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
Hi, my dog had been miserable here and there with his anal glands. I took him to the vet. and when his glands were expressed, there was a good bit of blood. The vet checked inside and out, but didn't find any kind of mass. The glands weren't ruptured. The vet put him on antibiotics but he's still having issues. He's had his glands expressed three times in just a few weeks and each time there was blood. He's now on his third round of antibiotics but his gland or glands are still bothering him. Could it be cancer? What else could be the problem? He's soon to be 14 years old.
Yes, it still could be cancer. It could also be a bacterial infection that is not responding to the antibiotic you are using so culturing and changing antibiotics may be helpful.
I have a dachshund who rubs her but on the rug, her glands get cleaned regularly. But as you know she cannot reach to clean herself. I don’t know what to do, she rubs herself raw..
If it is an anal gland issue, Glandex (https://www.1800petmeds.com/Glandex-prod11589.html) may help and/or Glandex wipes (https://www.1800petmeds.com/Glandex+Hygienic+Rear+Wipes-prod12702.html). If it is due to something else, like allergies, which often it will be, treating the underlying cause is ideal.
Why is it inflammed?
It is rare for cats to have anal sac issues, but certainly possible. Have your veterinarian check it out if it persists, because they will often need oral antibiotics.
Sophie continually licks her anal glands keeping it raw. We've changed foods several times making no difference. She does not shoot on her butt like some dogs. Why does her sacks fill so fast and what can I do to help her. Thank You, Charlie
Often this is secondary to allergies, not anal gland issues so consult your veterinarian for an official diagnosis. Glandex seems ot help some dogs with true anal gland issues: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Glandex-prod11589.html
Hi, My dog had her anal sac expressed on May 1st now today June 18th needs it again. Can that be cause of concern?
Possibly - have your veterinarian check her to be sure they are just impacted and not infected, no mass, etc.
My dog is constantly licking his anus and there is some oozing that smells horrible. Someone told me I should squeeze it out. How is that done and is it a serious problem?
I would go ahead and have your veterinarian check it the first time. I worry that he may have an abscess or an anal fistula, etc. And they can show you exactly how to express his anal glands if that is what is necessary but I really worry that something more serious is going on because with minor impacted anal glands, he wouldn't be "constantly licking his anus" and there should be no visible "ooze".
ive brought him in two vets onesaid amp his tail theothersaid nerve damage his rear end was hit by a car his tail bones comp broken he hasnt been having a bowel movement his legs are fine one vet said put him down his urines dribbling out of him hesonly a year old
This is very worrisome if he has nerve damage to his perineum (anus/colon, urethra/penis and surrounding tissues) - you may need a referral to a specialist, often found at your local veterinary school or in major cities, so ask your veterinarian about this.
my chihuahua keeps having anal problems. Scooting licking. What can I do?
I would really need to examine her to determine the exact cause. Scooting and licking back there may be due to allergies, not anal gland issues or something else entirely and all of those things are treated differently so see your veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis and targeted treatment if it continues. Products like Glandex helps some dogs with chronic anal gland issues. Here is a link if you would like to read about it: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Glandex-prod11589.html
My dog has had blood around his anus for the past few days. It is not bright red blood and it is not a lot. He has been licking around that area as well. He is still acting normal and he acts like it is not bothering him. Should I take him to the vet or is there something I can do to help him at home?
I would definitely go ahead and take him in if you are seeing frank blood. I can't tell, from your description, if it is coming from his anal gland or anus, so they need to check him for a few different things - all of which he will need prescription medication from a veterinarina that has met him face-to-face. It may be as simple as an infected anal gland. If you are seeing frank blood secondary to that he will more than likely need oral antibiotics. Take a frsh (same day) fecal sample with you for them to analyze - this will give them a better sample and save him from having the rod stuck up his poor rear.
Hi my name is Jennifer I have an english bulldog named roxy, she is 5 yrs old. On monday a veterinarian performed a manuel flush which was an anal flush because she wasnt pooping she was constipated. Today is wednesday and she still hasnt used the bathroom she just pees. Im worried because the last time she had this procedure done in november she had diarrhea for a few days. Now she still stuggling to use the bathroom and hardly wants to eat yet im really worried what would you recommend? Thank You
Recurrent constipation like that in a a dog is very rare - so rare that she almost has to have some kind of underlying, predisposing factor (neurologic, conformational, etc.) which needs to be addressed, so I would really need to see all of her x-rays and blood work to really help you. Your veterinarian, who has access to all of that, is definitely the best one to ask.
Just noticed our 6 year old pug leaking some dirty annal dark stuff and we did get some puss stuff out. She is not scooting right now but has. She does go to grooming every 6 weeks but want to know if this is a problem where we might need antibiotics. She is not acting sick. Thanks for any advice
If you are seeing actual pus, I would go ahead and see your veterinarian - they can get the anal glands fully expressed and prescribe antibiotics if they are infected.
My dog has a brown bump that has developed right next to his anus. It has been there for some time and will seem to get better but not go away and then will get worse. It does not appear to bother him or affect his bowels. Have tried heat, expressing Amal gland and tried chewables anal health. Is this something to be concerned about and how can I treat?
If it has persisted longer than a week or so, I would have your veterinarian check it out. Masses can be benign, malignant and everything in between. It is impossible to tell, just by looking at a mass, what kind of cells it contain. Your veterinarian will usually do a "fine needle aspirate" - a little mini-biopsy where they stick a small needle in it and suck some cells out and either look at it right there in their office or send it off to a pathologist. Then you can make a plan for it - if it is definitely benign, your veterinarian may recommend doing nothing.
What topical treatment can be used on an inflamed anal gland
Nothing topical helps too much if it is the actual anal gland (which is too internal to really be affected by something topical). Oral antibiotics are usually necessary if the gland is infected. Applying a warm wash cloth multiple times a day may help it feel a little better - it also dilates the blood vessels and may help it heal - especially after starting antibiotics.
Hi, My american bull dog (80 pounds) has gotten a rash that is raw around his anal area, and since he’s been licking he has a welt on his lip as well. We emptied his anal glands however this occurred after he had diarrhea so we believe that to be the cause but now he has an infection in both areas. What medication do i need to give him?
There are many things that cause rashes like that (allergies, mange, etc) and most are treated differently so have your veterinarian run some quick tests and make a diagnosis. Since allergies are the most common, here is a link to our article about various treatments for allergies, both over-the-counter and prescription: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/allergy-treatment-dog-cat-9.htm
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