Anal gland issues in pets are no fun at all. If you have had to deal with problems in this area, you know that anal glands can be a huge pain in the rear (pun intended). These pesky pouches are not actually glands at all, but rather sacs near the rectal opening that accumulate a stinky fluid that helps to scent the stools. Both dogs and cats have two sacs just inside the rectal sphincter that have tiny pinpoint openings where the fluid is expressed. Animals like skunks can voluntarily spray this fluid, but in our pets the fluid is released passively.
Most times these anal sacs do not cause any problems. Some pets, however, deal with anal gland problems on a fairly regular basis. Here are a few of the more common issues that are seen with anal glands in pets:
Anal gland impaction
Sometimes the anal sac does not express itself for a variety of reasons and fluid builds up over time. Eventually the fluid may become infected as well. If the sac is not expressed, the area becomes swollen, irritating, and even painful. Pets may scoot, lick, or try to run away from the discomfort. If this occurs the anal sacs may need to be manually expressed by a veterinarian.
Anal gland abscess
If an anal sac becomes impacted and the problem is not resolved, an abscess may occur. When this happens, the sac will rupture to the external area adjacent to the rectum, often draining. This requires treatment, often including antibiotics.
Anal gland tumors
Thankfully, tumors in the anal sacs do not occur terribly frequently, but they do happen. Pets with these types of tumors may experience irritation and/or swelling inside or near the rectum. If the tumor grows large enough, it may interfere with defecation. Because anal sac tumors can be aggressive, it is important to catch them early.
You may notice your veterinarian checking under your pet’s tail at their next wellness appointment. Anal sac problems are one thing that they will be looking for. Not all pets need to have them manually expressed, but close attention should be paid to problems in the area. Pets that have repeated problems or have anal sac tumors may need to have the sac(s) surgically removed.
