There are perhaps several reasons for this. In my experience, smaller breed dogs tend to be given more table foods, which can cause their poop to be softer and therefore not cause adequate muscle contraction to express the glands.
Also, smaller breed dogs are generally more nervous and anxious than larger breeds — the well-known "Chihuahua shake and shiver. Smaller breeds also tend to be less active, so the muscles in the rump are not as strong as in larger breeds.
Weight distribution on smaller breeds is different than with larger breeds. Even a little bit of extra weight can impact the expression of the glands a Chihuahua that is one pound overweight is like a human gaining 33 pounds, whereas a beagle gaining 5 pounds only equates to a human gaining 20 pounds. Another final possibility is many small breed dogs have hind limb conformational issues. This has an impact on the contraction of the muscle around the glands causing poor expression of them.
Older pets seem to have issues more often than younger animals. The theory here is that they are unable to squat long enough and exert the same pressure pooping, so that the fecal matter can push against the glands to express them naturally.
The reason could also be a previous injury, arthritis, age-related health issues, etc. Just to be clear, however, not all older pets have anal gland problems, but I recommend that if you have an older pet and they have some of the symptoms that are mentioned later in this article, you monitor them for anal gland issues. In my practice, I frequently saw more dogs with anal gland infections that were regularly groomed by a groomer — a groomer not associated with a veterinary practice.
Why you may ask? The reason is that groomers can ONLY usually by law express anal glands externally — the difference between external and internal expression is explained later in the article. And the reason that this is an issue is that they cannot fully empty the gland completely, and therefore they leave secretions behind; plus, they have also created inflammation, which narrows the already small duct that empties the gland. The secretions are now deeper in the gland, and there is inflammation by squeezing the gland and surrounding muscles in an unnatural manner causing swelling , so the secretions begin to thicken, and the infection starts to develop.
I have found it best to bring your pet just before or just after grooming to a veterinary clinic to have the glands expressed internally by a trained veterinary staff member. The fortunate thing in most cases is that your pet will give you plenty of signs that there may be a problem. Some of these signs are more obvious than others, however. The good thing is that you know your dog better than anyone else, and you are likely to notice when things seem a little off.
If you see any of these signs repeatedly or know your dog has had a history of anal gland issues, it is likely a good idea to visit your veterinary clinic. The sooner the issue is evaluated by a veterinarian, the sooner your pet can become more comfortable, and the happier you will be.
The most obvious sign that one sees is their pet dragging their butt on the ground veterinarians refer to it as scooting, likely because it sounds cuter! The reason dogs do this is to help express the glands but also because the secretions do make them itchy. Some other signs may be:. The sooner you get your pet seen by a veterinarian, the sooner they can get relief and, in all honesty, it'll likely be cheaper, in the long run, to have it treated sooner rather than later!
Your veterinarian will do a full physical examination — this helps determine if there is another issue increasing the chances of anal gland problems. They'll conduct a visual and digital rectal exam yup, poor pup gets a finger in their butt! I want to let you know that your dog may yelp or resist because, as mentioned earlier, the area is swollen and tender. The cause may be as simple as your pet had a change in stool firmness or diarrhea from a change in treats or food.
The loose stool prevented your dog from fully expressing their anal glands, and therefore they developed an anal gland infection. In addition to food and exercise recommendations, your veterinarian may recommend blood work to determine other potential causes of excessive weight gain in your dog.
If there are skin issues, your veterinarian may recommend your dog start on a special diet commercially produced veterinary prescribed limited ingredient diet or a true hypoallergenic diet. Pets are typically, though not always, allergic to a type of protein such as chicken, beef, soy, etc.
If your pet is given antibiotics for an anal gland infection — often a two-week course — be sure to have your pet rechecked by your veterinarian to be sure that the infection is cleared BEFORE the antibiotics are stopped. Another expression is usually done to determine if the infection is cleared or not. Maintaining your dog at an ideal body weight is not only helpful for anal gland issues, it's helpful for so many other conditions, like degenerative joint disease arthritis.
Your veterinarian can guide you to the best weight range for your dog. Supplement your dog with joint supplements if they are overweight or older. It will help them walk and squat better. I have found Nutramax products to be the most consistent in their performance: Cosequin and Dasequin. NOTE: If your pet is diabetic, check with your veterinarian before choosing a joint supplement.
Their systems do not adapt like ours, and they can easily develop diarrhea. If your dog is suffering from anal gland issues, do not give them rawhides, pig ears, bully sticks, or any other similar treats. I have found that they can be hard to digest also, some can be very greasy , they overstimulate the pancreas and then cause diarrhea.
Then the cycle of issues starts all over again. Something as simple as organic, no- to low-sodium canned green beans — cooked or uncooked without any additional seasoning. The added fiber helps bulk up the stool and therefore makes expressing the anal glands easier. Another fiber source is canned pumpkin not the pie mix, which has spices and sugar. Squeamish pet owners should leave this to the professionals. It is then gently squeezed to squirt the liquid out, which is caught in a paper towel to avoid a nasty mess.
This process can sometimes be painful for your dog and might require a sedative or an anesthetic. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatories might also be prescribed. Anal sac problems may not go away. Do dogs scoot just because of anal gland issues? There are actually other common reasons why your dog may be butt scooting other than anal sac issues. Many dog groomers also offer this service.
Prevention methods are key. In order to prevent your dog from getting an anal gland infection, make sure your dog is on a healthy diet with plenty of fiber and gets enough exercise. You can also supplement his diet to keep him regular. Sometimes, dogs that have inflammation issues — like dogs with food allergies — are more prone to anal gland infections. Some pet parents bring their dogs in every month or more often , if their dogs have been having recurring issues.
Help your pup feel better. If you live in Castle Rock or the Denver area, call our veterinarians at or:. Specializing in the care of cats and dogs, our goal is to help you and your pet feel more comfortable, keeping your stress to a minimum.
This article is intended to provide general guidance on how to tell if your dog needs his anal glands expressed. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact your local veterinarian. If you live in or around Castle Rock, we welcome your call.
He or she is also licking his bottom a lot more than usual. There are other issues that can cause these symptoms. What exactly are anal glands? When your dog passes a stool, these glands usually express themselves naturally.
How can you tell if your dog needs his anal glands expressed?
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