Problems with the anal sac can be very uncomfortable for a dog and a veterinarian should take a closer look at this.
When dogs “go scooting” – anal sac problems in dogs
28 February 2020 — by Sara Roller
The typical “scooting” because of an irritation or inflammation looks like this: The dog rubs its anus along the ground, grass or floor (mostly on a carpet), trying to relieve an itch or clogging in the anal sac.
Probleme mit der Analdrüse können für den Hund sehr unangenehm sein - ein Tierarzt sollte sich das näher anschauen.
Dogs that “scoot” or lick their anus more and more need to be treated by a veterinarian. During the examination, the veterinarian will determine whether the anal sac is clogged with thickened glandular secretion or if it is already inflamed. In the best-case scenario, the vet can simply empty the anal sac by gently applying pressure. An intense, fishy smell then spreads quickly in the room. This smell is typical of the anal gland secretion, which is naturally excreted in small doses with the excrement in order to give the feces the individual scent mark of the animal.
The causes of anal sac problems
It is not yet completely known what causes anal sac problems. Other than when dogs’ stool has too soft a consistency, there seem to be some anatomical causes with some breeds affected more than others – in particular, small dog breeds are prone to suffer from anal sac problems. While some dogs have chronic anal sac problems and need regular visits at the vet to empty the anal sac, other dogs never experience this problem and their anal sac is naturally emptied when they drop their feces.
Of course, no one enjoys dealing with the anus of their pet. However, it can be very helpful to take a closer look at the anus to understand the disease. Dogs have two anal sacs, small pouches located by the sphincter muscle on either side of the anus at the four and eight o’clock positions. Their insides are lined with anal glands that produce the smell. The openings of the anal sacs are only the size of a pin head, so it’s not surprising that they easily become clogged. Cats can also experience anal sac problems, especially overweight house cats with soft stool consistency.
Manuka-Honig wirkt antibakteriell und kann zur Behandlung von Analbeutelabszessen verwendet werden.
If your pet frequently has diarrhoea or soft faeces, the natural emptying of the anal sac section becomes impossible. Instead, the secretion builds up the anal sac gets clogged. If untreated, it can get nasty and painful, as anal sac abscesses form on one or both sides of the anus. You have to prevent your dog from licking or biting their anus in this case with the help of a neck guard. When your dog licks an infected and abscess-ridden anus, the germs from the mouth are transferred to the rectum, making the infection worse. The movement of tongue and teeth doesn’t help either, so it’s best to bravely use the cone for a few days!
Manuka honey has an antibacterial properties and can be used to treat abscesses in the anal sac.
Treatment with manuka honey
In the case when an abscess has already formed, the anal sac is flushed and rinsed at the vet with an antiseptic solution. When the secretion has become liquefied, the sacs are then emptied manually. To reduce inflammation and speed up healing, Manuka honey can be injected into the anal sacs after the rinse. With its antibacterial properties, Manuka honey can activate the dog’s natural anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties “on site.” In a best-case scenario, treatment with Manuka honey can spare your pet antibiotic treatment.
