CONDITION
Anal Gland Disease in Dogs
Why this matters now
Anal gland disease is one of the most frequently encountered conditions in general canine practice, with certain breeds — particularly smaller breeds such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Chihuahuas, and Miniature Poodles — being disproportionately affected. The condition may present at any age but tends to become a recurring issue in middle-aged dogs. Seasonal variation is sometimes observed, with some dogs experiencing more frequent problems during periods of softer stool consistency or dietary changes. The ubiquity of this condition means most dog owners will encounter it at some point, yet the underlying mechanisms and predisposing factors remain incompletely understood, with ongoing discussion in the veterinary literature about optimal management approaches.
The trajectory of anal gland disease can follow several patterns. Many dogs experience occasional impaction that resolves with manual expression and never progresses further. Others develop a recurring cycle where the glands repeatedly fill and fail to empty naturally, leading to progressively shorter intervals between episodes. In some cases, impacted glands become infected, producing sacculitis with increasingly viscous, discoloured, and malodorous secretion. If infection progresses unchecked, abscessation may develop, where the gland wall ruptures through the perianal skin, creating a draining tract. Chronic, recurrent disease can lead to fibrosis of the gland tissue and surrounding structures, which may further impair natural emptying and create a self-perpetuating cycle. The progression from simple impaction to abscessation is not inevitable, however, and many dogs remain at the impaction stage throughout their lives with appropriate management.
Signals & patterns
Early signals
Scooting along the ground
One of the earliest and most recognisable signs is the characteristic dragging of the hindquarters across the floor or ground. This behaviour reflects perineal discomfort as distended glands press against the surrounding tissue. The scooting is typically intermittent initially and may be dismissed as a behavioural quirk, but its persistence or increasing frequency often indicates worsening impaction.
Excessive licking of the perineal area
Dogs may begin paying increased attention to the area beneath the tail, licking or nibbling at the skin around the anus. This grooming behaviour can be subtle at first — owners may notice the dog turning to attend to its rear end more frequently than usual. The licking is driven by the discomfort and fullness sensation produced by impacted glands and may precede more obvious signs.
Turning to look at the hindquarters
A dog that repeatedly turns its head to look at or sniff its rear end may be responding to the unfamiliar sensation of gland fullness or early discomfort. This can be accompanied by restlessness, difficulty settling, and a reluctance to sit comfortably.
Fishy or pungent odour
The anal gland secretion has a distinctively strong, fishy smell. When glands are overfull, small amounts of secretion may leak onto the surrounding fur or be expressed involuntarily during periods of stress, excitement, or relaxation. Owners may notice the odour on furniture, bedding, or directly from the dog.
Later signals
Swelling or redness beside the anus
Visible swelling lateral to the anus indicates significant gland distension or the development of infection and abscessation. The overlying skin may appear reddened, warm, and taught. This represents progression beyond simple impaction and suggests the gland contents have become infected or the gland wall is under significant pressure.
Pain when defecating or sitting
As the condition progresses, the distended or infected glands can make defecation uncomfortable. Dogs may strain, cry out, or adopt unusual postures during bowel movements. They may also resist sitting or shift their weight when seated, avoiding pressure on the affected area.
Bloody or purulent discharge near the anus
If an abscess develops and ruptures through the perianal skin, a draining tract forms that may produce bloody, purulent, or foul-smelling discharge. The rupture site appears as an open wound beside the anus, which may bleed intermittently and produce ongoing drainage until the underlying infection is addressed.
Reluctance to walk or carry the tail normally
Significant perineal pain from advanced disease can affect the dog's willingness to walk, jump, or wag its tail. The tail may be held in an unusual position — clamped down or held to one side — as the dog guards the painful area.
Click to read about the biological mechanisms
How this is usually investigated
Investigation of anal gland disease typically begins with a thorough history and physical examination, including digital rectal palpation to assess the size, consistency, and contents of both glands. The nature of the expressed material provides important diagnostic information — normal secretion is thin and brownish, while impacted material may be thick, pasty, gritty, or discoloured. Infected glands may produce bloody or purulent material with an intensified odour. Further investigation depends on the severity and recurrence pattern.
Digital rectal examination and manual expression
Cytology of gland contents
Ultrasonography of the perianal region
Dietary and allergy assessment
Options & trade-offs
Management of anal gland disease ranges from simple manual expression for occasional impaction through to surgical removal of the glands in severe, recurrent cases. The approach depends on the nature and severity of the problem, the frequency of recurrence, and whether an underlying predisposing factor has been identified. Most dogs with anal gland disease can be managed conservatively, though a subset with chronic recurrence may benefit from more definitive intervention. Each approach carries its own considerations.
Manual expression
The most common initial approach, involving physical emptying of the gland contents either externally or internally (via rectal palpation). This can be performed by a veterinary professional or, with appropriate instruction, by some owners at home. Regular prophylactic expression is sometimes used for dogs with known recurrence patterns to prevent impaction from progressing.
Trade-offs: Provides immediate relief but does not address underlying causes. Over-frequent expression may theoretically irritate the gland lining and potentially worsen the cycle in some individuals, though this remains debated. Internal expression is generally more thorough but requires more skill and is more uncomfortable for the dog.
Dietary modification and fibre supplementation
Increasing dietary fibre to produce bulkier, firmer stools can enhance the natural mechanical emptying of the glands during defecation. This may involve changing to a higher-fibre diet, adding fibre supplements such as psyllium husk or pumpkin, or addressing any underlying food sensitivities through elimination diets.
Trade-offs: A non-invasive approach that addresses one of the contributing mechanical factors. Results may take weeks to assess and may not be sufficient as a sole intervention in dogs with anatomical predisposition or concurrent infection. Some dogs may experience increased flatulence or altered stool consistency during the adjustment period.
Medical management of infection
When sacculitis or abscessation is present, antimicrobial therapy is typically required. This may involve systemic antibiotics, infusion of antibiotic preparations directly into the gland via the duct, or a combination. Pain management and anti-inflammatory medication may also be appropriate, particularly for abscessated glands.
Trade-offs: Addresses the infectious component effectively in most cases, but does not prevent recurrence if underlying predisposing factors persist. Repeated antibiotic courses carry the risk of selecting for resistant organisms. Direct infusion provides high local drug concentrations but requires the duct to be patent and may not reach all areas of a severely distorted gland.
Anal sacculectomy (surgical removal)
Surgical removal of one or both anal sacs may be considered for dogs with severe, frequently recurrent disease that has not responded adequately to conservative management. The procedure removes the source of the problem permanently but involves surgery in a sensitive anatomical area.
Trade-offs: Provides definitive resolution when successful, eliminating the possibility of future impaction or infection in the removed gland. However, the procedure carries specific risks including damage to the caudal rectal nerve branches that control anal sphincter function, which can result in faecal incontinence. The risk of this complication varies with surgical technique and individual anatomy. Post-operative wound complications can occur given the proximity to the anus. Most veterinary surgeons reserve this option for cases where conservative management has been genuinely exhausted.
Common misconceptions
"Anal glands need to be expressed regularly as part of routine grooming for all dogs."
Most dogs' anal glands empty naturally during defecation and require no manual intervention throughout their lives. Routine prophylactic expression in dogs that have never had anal gland problems is unnecessary and may theoretically contribute to inflammation of the gland lining. Expression is indicated for dogs that have demonstrated an inability to empty their glands naturally, not as a universal preventive measure.
"Scooting always means a dog has worms."
While intestinal parasites can cause perineal irritation and scooting, anal gland impaction is a far more common cause of this behaviour in adult dogs in many regions. Other causes include perineal dermatitis, allergic skin disease, and perianal fistulae. Attributing scooting solely to parasites can delay recognition of anal gland disease or other conditions that may require different approaches.
"Once a dog develops anal gland problems, surgical removal is inevitable."
The majority of dogs with anal gland disease can be managed successfully with conservative approaches including dietary modification, appropriate expression when needed, and treatment of underlying conditions such as allergies. Surgical removal is reserved for a relatively small proportion of cases where disease is severe, frequently recurrent, and genuinely refractory to conservative management. Many dogs experience significant improvement when underlying predisposing factors such as food sensitivities or insufficient dietary fibre are addressed.
Understanding the pattern of anal gland disease — how frequently it recurs, whether it affects one gland or both, what the expressed material looks like, and whether there are concurrent skin or digestive signs — can help build a more complete picture of the underlying factors at play. Noting correlations with dietary changes, stool consistency, seasonal patterns, or other health changes may reveal connections that are not immediately obvious. For dogs with recurrent issues, exploring whether an underlying allergic or dietary component may be contributing can sometimes shift the focus from managing individual episodes to addressing the root predisposition.
Last reviewed: 24 April 2026 · Dr Alastair Greenway MRCVS