Dog Anal Gland Inflammation Symptoms

Anal glands are cystic glands located on either side of a dog's anus, which secrete a light brown substance that usually flows out of the dog's body with defecation. When the anal glands are inflamed, they become blocked, causing the secretion to not be excreted in time, remaining around the anal glands and causing pain due to compression. Dogs with inflamed anal glands often lick the surrounding area of their anus. The cause of anal gland inflammation in dogs is usually related to frequent squatting and rubbing of the anus after defecation, which allows bacteria and viruses to enter and cause anal gland inflammation.

The dog's anal glands, also known as anal sacs, are一对对称的梨形腺体，位于肛门黏膜与皮肤交界处，左右两侧各有一个. The opening of the gland is located at the position of 4 and 8 o'clock on the clock. The secretion of the dog's anal glands is gray or brown, oily, and smelly, serving to lubricate the anus and facilitate the smooth excretion of feces; another function is mutual recognition between dogs, who sniff each other's tails when they meet to identify each other.

1. Causes of Anal Gland Inflammation

When the dog's anal glands secrete excessively, or the gland ducts are blocked or the anal sphincter function is poor, it容易导致 the secretion stagnating in the gland, causing infection, inflammation, and swelling.

2. Main Symptoms of Anal Gland Inflammation

Dogs with anal gland inflammation often show the following symptoms:

• Scratching or rubbing their hindquarters against the ground.
• Poor mental state, anxiety, and restlessness.
• Decreased appetite and reluctance to eat.
• Constipation or difficulty defecating, passing hard, dry stools.
• Swelling, redness, and itching around the anus, with the dog attempting to bite the area.
• Pus or a brown, smelly fluid can be squeezed from the gland openings, leaving a foul-smelling liquid behind wherever the dog sits.
• In severe cases, the anal glands become swollen and protrude above the surrounding skin, feeling hard to the touch. This may affect the dog's hindleg movement.
• Late-stage abscess formation can cause the entire anus to protrude, leading to secondary neurological symptoms, weakness, numbness, or paralysis of the hindlegs, and dragging of the hindlegs while walking.