Anal Gland Inflammation in Dogs: Signs and Treatment

1 What the Anal Glands Are

A mid-size dog’s sacs are about 1 cm across, opening 2–4 cm up the anal canal at the skin-mucosa border; lift the tail and they show. The glands secrete a gray or brown, grainy, sebaceous fluid. When the duct blocks or infection sets in — or the dog is seborrheic — the secretion pools and inflames the area.

2 Signs

Early: the dog is restless, eats less, and licks or ‘scoots’ its rear; some strain to pass only small, hard stools.

Over time it can lead to rectal prolapse, with a red, protruding, swollen anus oozing brown or gray fluid; a few dogs show white specks at the opening. Squeezing the gland releases much gray-brown liquid.

If infected, an abscess forms and may later rupture into a fistula.

3 Treatment

Express the gland: with a gloved, lubricated finger inside and thumb outside, gently squeeze the swollen sac empty. For a swollen, pus-filled sac, empty it, then flush through a catheter with 0.1% potassium permanganate or 0.2% metronidazole, and instill an antibiotic (e.g., 40,000 IU gentamicin) or antibiotic ointment; repeat every 3–4 days.

Calm the inflammation with intramuscular ampicillin or cephalosporin once or twice daily for 4–5 days; or gentamicin, amikacin, or lincomycin (one chosen) 1–2 ml with dexamethasone 2–5 mg injected near the tail base daily for 3–4 days.