Blocked anal glands in dogs

Dog anal glands, every dog has them, and around 4% of dogs annually will have some sort of problem with their anal glands. This can be a one off issue, or a recurrent problem. So knowing what causes blocked anal glands in dogs, and how to prevent blocked anal glands in dogs could be very important to you as a pet owner. 

Where are a dog's anal glands? 

A dog's anal glands are located near the anal sphincter, at the four and eight o clock mark on a clock. They are small circular sacs that contain fluid to help scent stools, an evolutionary trait dogs use to identify each other. When a dog defecates, the stool pushes past the glands and press on them, releasing the fluid onto the stools. 

Link Source: https://canineanalglandclinic.com.au/anal-glands-in-dogs

Full anal glands in dogs 

Before anal glands become blocked, they become full. You may not notice any signs in your dog if the glands are just very full, or you may see some of the symptoms listed below, as the presentation for full glands are often very similar to blocked anal gland symptoms. Full anal glands will need expression by a veterinarian if they are causing symptoms in your dog.     

How to tell if your dog’s anal glands are full 

If healthy, a dog's anal glands will naturally self express onto the stools. You will notice a slight ‘shine’ to the stool when you pick it up after your dog has defecated. 

But if the stool consistency changes – due to diarrhoea, constipation or anything in between – that natural emptying process can be disrupted. When the glands don’t empty properly, they can begin to fill up and thicken – making it harder for your dog to express them on their own.

The glands can then fill up, becoming more difficult to naturally express. The build up of thickened fluid in the gland can lead to inflammation, swelling or infections. You may notice a bulge in the area of the anal glands, a strong smell or your dog paying lots of extra attention to their anal glands. 

Symptoms of blocked anal glands in dogs 

Most signs of blocked anal glands in dogs tend to centre around their back end. If your dog seems more focused on their bottom than usual, it could be a sign something’s not quite right.

Keep an eye out for symptoms like:

• Scooting or dragging their bottom along the floor
  
• Excessive licking or nibbling at the area
  
• A strong, fishy smell coming from their bottom
  
• Swelling or redness around the anus
  
• Unusual discharge – red, grey or brown – near the bottom
  
• Crying out or seeming in pain when trying to poo
  
• Straining to go to the toilet

If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to speak to your vet. They’ll be able to check your dog’s glands and guide you on the next steps.

What causes blocked anal glands in dogs? 

Some breeds are more likely to experience blocked anal glands than others. Smaller breeds – like Chihuahuas, Bichon Frises and Toy Poodles – tend to be the most commonly affected. All dogs can get anal gland issues though, so if you notice the signs, reach out to a vet for a check up. 

Other reasons dogs anal glands get full can be related to: 

• Allergic skin conditions
  
• Food allergies
  
• Ongoing digestive issues in dogs, such as IBD
  
• Obesity
  
• Parasites like worms
  
• A diet that’s too low in fibre
  
• Conformational abnormalities such as having narrow gland openings 

If your dog is struggling with recurring anal gland problems, your vet can help identify the underlying cause and suggest ways to manage or reduce flare-ups.

Can food cause anal gland issues in dogs? 

Yes, food allergies and anal gland issues can be linked in some dogs. Food allergies can lead to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and its related structures, such as the anal glands. Using a hypoallergenic diet, or switching to a single source novel protein diet such as kangaroo for 3-8 weeks can be a good way to work out if your dog has a food allergy. Discover 10 foods to help express dog's anal glands naturally. 

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How to help prevent anal gland problems in dogs 

When considering how to help dogs anal glands, it's important to understand that treating the underlying cause of the anal gland issue, solves the problem. 

The answer very rarely lies in the anal gland itself. For example, if your dog is struggling with lack of fibre in the diet, adding a supplement will fix the anal gland problem. If your dog is overweight, a weight loss programme is the answer. If your dog has a food allergy, a diet trial is needed. 

For example:

• If your dog’s diet is low in fibre, adding YuMOVE Anal Gland Health supplements can help firm up their stools and support healthy gland emptying.
  
• If your dog is overweight, a vet-recommended weight loss plan can relieve pressure on their back end and reduce the risk of gland problems.
  
• If your dog has a food allergy, a tailored diet trial using novel proteins might be the best route forward.

Some conditions such as allergic skin disease, can never be cured, and need lifelong medication to help bring relief to sore skin and blocked anal glands. Keeping regular check ups with your vet clinic can help pick up problems earlier before glands become full to the point they become infected. 

You may think that regular expression may help solve an anal gland problem in dogs before it happens, but the opposite can happen. Repeated expression can lead to inflammation in the gland and affect the openings of the gland, causing them to narrow and be more challenging to empty naturally. Only express your dog's glands regularly after consulting a vet for advice first. If regular gland expression is needed, this is usually done every 2-3 months. 

Anal gland supplements 

If your dog regularly struggles with blocked anal glands, you might want to explore anal gland supplements as part of their daily routine. These come as tablets or powders that can be added to food, and they work by helping to bulk up the stool – mimicking the natural pressure that helps healthy dogs express their glands on their own.

Look for supplements that include ingredients like psyllium husk, omega oils, probiotics and lignocellulose. This combination not only supports the firming of stools, but also offers anti-inflammatory properties and helps keep the gut healthy – thanks to the added benefits of probiotics for dogs. 

How to express a dogs anal glands 

There are two ways to express a dog's anal glands, internal and external expression. Knowing your anatomy (or looking at the diagram above!) will help you learn how to express a dog's anal glands.

Internal anal gland expression can only be done by a veterinary professional, so do not try this technique at home. 

Instead, use a technique called external expression. Wear gloves, and apply pressure with your fingers either side of your dog's bottom at the four and eight position on a clock. Gently press inwards towards the anus in a fluid motion. You may need a couple of goes before you notice the expression of liquid in the corners of your dog's anus. 

Not all dogs will allow you to express their glands, so try to make it a positive experience by using treats or a Lickimat to distract them. 

Important: If you notice your dog has blood or a hole in the skin around the anus, do not attempt to express the glands. This is a sign of infected anal glands in dogs and needs veterinary help to fix. This includes medications such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. The response to treatment is usually excellent, with full healing in one to two weeks. 

Conclusion

Anal gland issues are a common problem, and your vet is the perfect choice for help to regularly express full glands, or treat infected or blocked glands. Through regular expression your vet will get to know when your dog's glands are abnormally full or impacted, and can help give advice on treatment or prevention of the issue again. Blocked anal glands are easily treated and dogs can live a healthy life if you add anal gland care into their general health routine. 

Read more about medical conditions and symptoms in dogs.