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Should your dog have a constant odor, like a foul fish stench, it’s likely your pet’s anal glands. But what are anal glands, what do they do and how can they be treated? The solution is simple — your dog’s anal glands need expressing by a veterinarian, an experienced dog groomer, or by doing it yourself.
What Are Anal Glands?
Dogs have two little egg-shaped sacs on either side of the anus called anal glands. The function of the glands is to produce a fluid with a characteristic odor (the fishy smell) that is specific to each dog. As your dog poops, the anal glands excrete a fluid with a specific odor to your dog. When another dog stops and smells your dog’s poop, or where your dog’s poop sat before you picked it up to dispose of it, the other dog logs that specific smell in their memory. Dogs usually greet each other by smelling each other’s butts and will remember that smell from before.
What is Anal Gland Expression?
Dogs can’t always fully express their anal glands and may need the assistance of a veterinarian. If dogs have an anal gland problem, they will present symptoms of such. The two most common signs of a dog needing their anal glands expressed are scooting across the ground and constantly licking their anus. You might also smell that fishy smell more often and on your furniture, car seats, etc. This is when manual expression can help. During manual expression, the veterinarian will apply Vaseline to their index finger while wearing latex gloves, then insert the finger into the dog’s anus and feel along the side of the anus for the sac. To avoid a mess, it is gently pressed to force the liquid out, which is captured on a paper towel.
Should Your Dog Be in Pain After Anal Gland Expression?
Simple answer: no, your dog should not be in pain after a manual anal gland expression. The process itself may be painful for some dogs and they may be given a sedative during the procedure. But, that pain shouldn’t continue after the procedure.
What Are The Signs Your Dog is in Pain After Their Anal Gland Expression?
If your dog is in pain after their anal gland expression, they may be displaying any of the following symptoms:
- Yelping
- Scooting
- Biting their rear end
- Excessively licking their rear end
- Whining or crying when trying to poop
- Limping
- Hiding
- Snapping
- Reluctance to be touched near their rear end
Why Is Your Dog in Pain After Anal Gland Expression?
Anal Abscess
Anal abscesses, which are a painful infection inside the anal glands, are another reason your dog may be in discomfort following a gland expression. If the gland expression was caused by an abscess, your dog may continue to be suffering from the effects of the infection after your visit to the vet. The abscess builds up pus in the anal sacs which can then burst and result in releasing pus into the anus and rectum. Dogs may even refuse to poop due to this pain. If your dog’s bottom area is red and swollen, you should notify your vet immediately.
Impactation
If a dog has loose stool or diarrhea, the water from this can build up in the anal sacs which then can become filled with inflamed cells. This results in irritation, itching, pain, and even an infection causing impacted anal sacs. When a dog has impacted anal sacs, it can be difficult to tell if the sacs were fully emptied during an expression. They may need a couple more manual expressions to provide relief.
Rectal Tears
It’s possible your dog had a rectal tear or other injuries in that area during the expression which was then aggravated by the manual expression. It’s also possible that the vet who did the procedure caused a tear or injury if they were too rough.
Rectal Polyps or Tumors
Rectal polyps may form after a manual anal gland expression. Rectal polyps are benign growths that appear in the rectal region. It’s possible for them to be malignant if they are large but that is more rare. If your dog is showing signs of pain, scooting, licking their anus, bloody stool, and trouble defecating, they have had rectal polyps.
Anal Sac Abnormalities
Two common anal sac abnormalities are perianal fistulas and folliculitis. Certain breeds like Golden Retrievers are predisposed to perianal fistulas which is when the anal tissue develops sores that smell foul. Folliculitis is when the feces inflame the hair follicles in the anus, which results in a considerable amount of pain in the afflicted dogs. Dogs who suffer from a condition like these may cause them to be in pain and scoot even after an anal gland expression. Your vet should be notified as they may prescribe medication or suggest surgical removal of the anal glands.
Injection Pain
Some dogs may be given an injection medication in the anal sacs if they have impacted or hard stools as that can result in causing difficulty for manual expression. The injection site may continue to hurt for a few days after the expression.
What Should You Do if Your Dog is in Pain After Anal Gland Expression?
When your dog is in pain you want to be able to comfort them. There are a few steps you can take but always consult with your veterinarian before making changes such as to their diet or adding supplements.
Antibiotic Creams
Antibiotic creams can help to keep the anal gland condition your dog is suffering from getting worse.
- 🐾 RELIEVE PAIN & PREVENT INFECTION: First aid dog ointment helps prevent infection and aids in pain relief.
- 🐾 BLOCK GERMS: Provides a barrier against flies and germs.
- 🐾 EFFECTIVE AND AFFORDABLE: Dog wound care helps relieve topical bacterial and/or fungal skin conditions.
- 🐾 RELIEF FOR YOUR DOG: For use on cuts, scrapes, bites, abrasions and skin irritation.
- 🐾 TRUSTED BRAND: Try our entire line of products dedicated to keeping your best friend happy and healthy.
Elizabethan Collar
An Elizabethan collar or similar can keep your dog from licking or biting their inflamed bottom area and prevent the problem from getting worse or causing an infection.
- GREAT PROTECTION FOR YOUR PETS: The dog cone collar is a safe and good method of preventing your pet from aggravating a healing wound or injury. Helps to overcome lick-bite, Itch-scratch cycle. Ending self-Inflicted wound aggravation or mutilation, prevent your pet bite others in the dermatology / Beauty / surgical procedure.
- PERFECT FIT: Suitable for different ages or sizes dogs and cats, Meet your different needs. Please refer to our size chart before ordering, if your pet's measurement is close to the maximum please order the next size up.
- CONVENIENT TO USE: Hook & Loop design easy to tighten or loosen. This soft pet cone with above design can keep the collar secure in place and keep it from being pulled off or from falling off.
- HIGH QUALITY MATERIAL: Made of high quality PVC material, extra soft fabric edge provides your pet additional comfort and protection, durable and healthy, this pet recovery collar is light enough which never make your lovely pets get tired. And it's easy to clean!
- Warm Reminder: Some dogs may initially feel uncomfortable with the dog head cone. To prevent them from licking their wounds, we encourage you to comfort your dog and accompany them through this challenging recovery period. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Diet Changes
To keep your dog from being constipated and aggravating their anal glands adding extra fiber can make sure their stool is healthy and soft. Foods you can add to their diet include pumpkin, sweet potato, and apples.
Stool Supplements
You can also purchase over-the-counter stool supplements to regulate their stool.
- SUPPORTS HEALTHY ANAL GLANDS: Glandex is scientifically formulated to support healthy anal glands. With key ingredients including pumpkin seed, Glandex promotes natural emptying of the anal glands & supports digestive health & seasonal allergies.
- GUARANTEED TO BOOT THE SCOOT: Glandex results are guaranteed to help your pet "Boot the Scoot!” in 3-5 weeks & comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
- VETERINARIAN RECOMMENDED: Glandex is recommended by thousands of veterinarians worldwide & was developed by leading veterinarians to specifically support healthy anal gland function
- PATENTED FORMULA: Glandex’s patented formula includes all-natural ingredients to keep your dog's anal glands healthy including a Unique Fiber Blend, Omega Fatty Acids, Digestive Enzymes, Prebiotics & Probiotics
- MADE IN USA: Glandex is proudly made in the USA using the highest quality ingredients. Glandex is easy-to-use and comes as an irresistible peanut butter treat! Give once daily based on your pet’s weight.
Medication
Depending on the cause of your dog being in pain, your vet may recommend pain relief medication. This will usually include pain from razor burns or injections.
- PROVIDES TEMPORARY PAIN RELIEF: Joint issues in your K-9 can cause your pet to experience nagging aches and pains. PetArmor Canine Aspirin is a tasty chewable tablet that helps relieve minor pain.
- LIVER FLAVORED CHEWABLE TABLET: Helps keep pain relief at bay with this easy tasty chewable tablet. PetArmor Canine Aspirin helps relieve minor aches and pains in your K-9 with a liver flavored chewable tablet.
- RECOMMENDED FOR JOINT ISSUES: When your K-9 is protecting their pack, it can be hard on their joints. PetArmor Canine Aspirin temporarily relieves aches and pain in your K-9 that are most commonly associated with joint issues.
- HELPS RELIEVE MINOR ACHES & PAINS: Stop minor aches and pains that may be holding your pet back from its normal activity. PetArmor Canine Aspirin is a tasty chewable tablet that temporarily relieves pain in your K-9.
Warm Compress or Heating Pad
A heating pad can provide necessary relief to the pain your dog may be in. You can purchase either a heating pad meant for pets or just use the one in your closet that has an auto shut-off feature.
- Comfort & Warmth: Pet heating pads provide a cozy, warm surface that can be especially comforting for older pets, those with arthritis, or animals recovering from surgery. The consistent warmth helps alleviate joint stiffness and muscle soreness, offering your pet a soothing retreat during cold weather or when they need some extra comfort.
- Safety Features: Modern pet heating pads come with safety features such as automated temperature control and overheating protection. These features ensure that the pad stays at a safe, consistent temperature and reduces the risk of burns or fire hazards, giving pet owners peace of mind.
- Energy Efficient: Designed for low power consumption, pet heating pads are an energy-efficient alternative to traditional heating methods. They provide targeted warmth to your pet without significantly raising your electricity bill or heating costs.
- Promotes Better Health: The warmth provided by these pads can encourage better blood circulation, which is beneficial for a pet's overall health. Improved circulation can speed up the healing process for injuries and help to reduce inflammation, which is especially important for active pets or those with chronic conditions.
- Portability & Easy Maintenance: Many pet heating pads are designed to be lightweight and portable, allowing pet owners to move them around the house or take them along during travel. Additionally, these pads are typically easy to clean, with removable covers or water-resistant surfaces, making it simple to maintain a clean and hygienic environment for your pet.
If your dog is showing any signs of being in pain after their anal gland expression, it’s best to consult with your vet.
