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What causes a dog's anus to become red, swollen, and bumpy?
A dog's anus becoming red, swollen, and bumpy could be due to several reasons. First, consider the possibility of anal gland inflammation, which is usually caused by a long-term lack of anal gland expression. This condition is accompanied by symptoms such as anal circumference itching, and treatment involves expressing the anal gland secretions, cleaning the area with saline solution, and applying an antiseptic ointment. External parasites or mosquito bites can also cause redness and swelling around the anus, while internal parasites can indirectly cause redness and swelling after causing itching around the anus. Lastly, diarrhea, constipation, and other abnormal bowel movements can repeatedly stimulate the dog's anus, causing redness, swelling, and even tears.
Owners should first check if there are any visible injuries around their dog's anus and seek veterinary attention if so. Regardless of the cause, immediate action should be taken to stop a dog from scratching or rubbing its anus to prevent further infection.
- Anal Gland Inflammation
A dog with a swollen, red anus should be suspected of having anal gland inflammation, which is usually caused by a long-term lack of anal gland expression. This condition is often accompanied by anal circumference itching. Dogs alleviate this itch by frequently scraping their anus on the ground, leading to redness, swelling, and bumpiness.
Treatment involves expressing the accumulated secretions in the anal glands, cleaning the anal area with saline solution, and applying an antiseptic ointment. If the swelling is severe, cold compresses can also be applied to alleviate the discomfort. Untreated inflammation can even lead to anal ulceration.
- Parasites or Mosquito Bites
When a dog's anus is bitten by external parasites or mosquitoes, it can cause redness and swelling. Owners can apply topical medications to help alleviate itching and inflammation. Additionally, when there are too many internal parasites, they can cause itching around the anus, leading to repeated scratching and redness.
- Constipation and Diarrhea
Constipation or diarrhea-induced abnormal bowel movements can also cause redness and swelling around a dog's anus.
When a dog drinks too little water or eats a diet high in fat, its stools become dry and hard. When the dog strains to defecate, the anus may become red and swollen due to excessive force. Owners should encourage their dog to drink more water and feed them high-fiber foods. Additionally, frequent diarrhea can also cause redness around the anus. In this case, owners should initially administer physical diarrhea remedies like kaolin clay before taking the dog to the vet for a specific diagnosis and treatment.