Bottom rubbing in dogs is very common? Dogs that sit on your carpet and drag their bottom on the ground, is sign of a very irritating problem. We know this as blocked or impacted anal glands.
So, what are anal glands?
Anal glands are two small secretory sacs just inside your pet’s anus. The material secreted into these sacs is thick, oily, stinky, and is commonly described as smelling fishy. Most wild animals can empty these glands voluntarily for scent marking or in self-defense (like a skunk might do); however, domestic animals have largely lost their ability to empty these sacs voluntarily. Walking around and normal defecation serve to empty the sacs but some animals become unable to empty their sacs on their own at all. The sacs become impacted and uncomfortable.
Dogs with impacted anal sacs usually spend time rubbing their bottomon the ground in an attempt to empty the glands. Some dogs will lick their bottom area and other dogs will chase their tails. Cats often lick the fur off just under their tails. Some animals are simply vaguely uncomfortable, holding their tails down, shivering, showing reluctance to walk or hiding. Strangely, some animals seem to refer their discomfort to their ears and scratch and shake their ears as if an ear infection were present.
How do they become blocked?
The ducts that lead from the anal glands to the edge of the bottom for expression of the fluid contents are very narrow. It is not uncommon for these ducts to become blocked especially in small breed dogs. This may occur as a result of some inflammation around the anus or a thickening of the secretion due to infection. If your pet has soft stools, their anal glands can not be expressed resulting in blockage.
What happens next?
Blocked anal glands become enlarged, uncomfortable and often itchy. Most pets will express the anal glands themselves by licking or chewing around the anus, rubbing their bottoms on vertical or horizontal surfaces or scooting on the grass or their owner’s best carpets etc. The owner doesn’t usually know about this other than to notice the smell!
What can go wrong?
Sometimes the secretion in the anal glands is so thick or the duct is so blocked that rubbing the bottom does not relieve the blockage. Pets can cause themselves considerable self trauma and distress responding to the inflammation and itchiness that results. Infection can start the problem or develop secondary to trauma from scooting. If you notice any bottom licking or rubbing or scooting it is best to have the anal glands manually expressed by the veterinarian as soon as possible to prevent self-trauma, infection and possible abscessation. Antibiotics may be needed to resolve the problem.
What if the anal glands are not expressed?
Secondary infection can cause abscesses to form in the anal glands which may burst out through the soft tissues around the bottom and cause considerable pain and discomfort. Occasionally anal glands abscesses may burst backwards between the muscles of the rump and cause generalised illness and require surgery to drain the infection over the rump area.
How often should anal glands be emptied?
This is a highly individual situation. The best recommendation is to let the pet tell you when the sacs are full. If the pet starts rubbing again, it is time to bring him in.
If your pet has been diagnosed with an anal gland problem then it is important to present them for anal gland expression as soon as any irritation is noticed – some small dogs need this done on a regular basis i.e. monthly or three to six monthly.
Do not delay having the anal glands expressed – self-trauma, infection or abscessation may develop and it is a very uncomfortable and irritating condition for your pet.
