Common Disease Name:
Anal Sac Disease
Medical Term for Disease:
Anal gland disease, impacted anal sac impaction, anal sacculitis, abscessed anal sac
Species Affected by Disease:
Dogs; sometimes cats
Age Animal Usually Affected:
Adult
Commonly Affected Breeds:
Any, although smaller dog breeds, such as Chihuahuas and poodles, are most often affected.
Sex Usually Affected:
Both
Disease Symptoms:
Signs of anal sac
disease include scooting across the floor; licking the area around the anus;
difficult or painful defecation; biting or chasing the tail; discharge,
swelling, or pain around the anal area; and behavioral change. Full anal glands
can become impacted leading to anal gland sacculitis, or inflammation. This may
progress to anal gland abscessation and rupture. Pus may drain from a ruptured
anal gland. The area surrounding the abscess may appear red, swollen, and very
painful.
Method(s) of Diagnosis:
See symptoms/Clinical signs. Normal anal sac fluid is clear or pale yellow-brown; thick, brown or yellowish-green secretions are typical of animals with anal sac disease. Pain and swelling in anal area are common
Disease Causes:
Anal sacs are the reservoirs for the secretions of anal glands which are located on either side of a dog's anus, and have two ducts to empty the glands at approximately two and ten o'clock. These balloon-like sacs secrete a smelly fluid, which is normally pale yellow-brown to grayish in color. The contents are usually emptied during normal bowel movements, or when a dog is nervous or scared. Some dogs, especially small breed dogs, are not able to empty the sacs properly and become susceptible to anal sac disease. Anal sac impaction occurs when the liquid accumulates and thickens, causing the anal sacs to become distended and difficult to empty resulting in inflammation of the anal sac, or anal sacculitis. If the anal sac material continues to accumulate, it may become infected by bacteria and form an abscess. At this point, anal sac disease is very painful. Sometimes the abscess can rupture through the skin, leaving an oozing red hole that is visible next to the anus.
Treatment:
The anal sacs can be emptied by applying firm pressure to both sides of the anal area. This is best accomplished by someone experienced in this procedure. Animals that experience a frequent problem with anal sacculitis or abscessation should be considered for surgery to remove the glands.
Prognosis:
Animals with anal sac disease usually have to have their anal sacs expressed on a regular basis to prevent further problems.
Complications:
Abscessed anal gland; on occasion, reoccurrence after surgery to remove gland.
Prevention:
A high fiber diet and lots of walking can help the dog to empty its' anal glands on his own. Weight loss in obese dog is helpful. Expression of the anal sacs every few weeks or months often will help prevent anal gland fluid from accumulating and becoming thickened again.
Medicines Used for Treatment of Disease:
High fiber diets, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medicines
Helpful Products:
High fiber diets; weight loss diets.
