Anal gland impaction and infection is one of the most common causes of discomfort in dogs, affecting millions of animals whose welfare depends on owner recognition and veterinary treatment.
Dogs with anal gland discomfort experience persistent perineal irritation that motivates constant attention to the area. The characteristic scooting behavior reveals the intensity of the discomfort — dogs drag their hindquarters across surfaces seeking relief. Infected or abscessed anal glands cause acute, severe pain; dogs with anal gland abscesses may be unable to sit, defecate normally, or remain still. The area is warm and the skin over an abscess taut and inflamed. Many owners misinterpret scooting as a worm problem and delay appropriate treatment. Anal gland disease is highly treatable, meaning the suffering it causes is largely preventable with owner recognition and timely veterinary care.