Companion Animals

Companion Dog Anal Gland Disease Advanced

Anal gland disease causes chronic discomfort in many dogs - understanding and addressing underlying causes prevents recurrence.

Key Facts

Anal glands are paired secretory sacs in dogs that express naturally during defaecation
Impaction occurs when glands fail to empty naturally causing discomfort and secondary infection
Signs include scooting, licking at rear, and restlessness
Small breeds and obese dogs are more commonly affected
Dietary management including increased fibre can improve natural expression
Surgical removal (anal sacculectomy) is appropriate for recurrent severe cases

Welfare Considerations

Anal gland impaction and infection cause significant discomfort and pain that owners may not immediately recognise. The repetitive nature of the condition in some dogs causes persistent welfare compromise. Addressing the underlying causes - diet, weight, and stool consistency - reduces recurrence more effectively than repeated manual expression alone.

What You Can Do

Consult your vet if your dog is scooting repeatedly - do not attempt home expression without guidance
Work with your vet to identify underlying causes including diet and weight
Feed a high-fibre diet to improve stool consistency and promote natural gland expression
Ask about anal sacculectomy if your dog has repeated severe anal gland problems
Maintain your dog at a healthy weight to reduce anal gland impaction risk