What are the anal glands? They are two little secretory glands located just southeast and southwest of your dog’s or cat’s anus. They are sometimes referred to as anal sacs, but I had to stop calling them that after I found out that clients thought I was saying “anal sex”.
What are these glands producing? The secretion is normally a light brown watery liquid that comes out every time your pet poops. It is a pheromone rich substance that is the reason that dogs and cats smell each others’ rear ends. The chemicals in the fluid tell them how tall the other dog was and what size shoes he wore.
Why do the anal glands get plugged up? Why does your dog scoot on its butt across the floor? The duct that conducts the fluid to the outside of the body is tiny, roughly the diameter of a pin. If the consistency of the secretion changes and thickens, the fluid can’t escape. The lining of the gland continues to produce the fluid, and the animal’s rear end becomes more and more uncomfortable, resulting in scooting, itching, and chewing at the area. So much fluid can build up that the gland can rupture right out the back end of your pet.
It’s important to know that not all dogs or cats will display these symptoms! Some dogs will simply stop barking, or stop jumping up on the furniture. Cats may groom their backs excessively. I have seen dogs that were carried into the hospital, their owners convinced they had Lyme disease, and it turned out that their anal glands were so full that they were apparently too uncomfortable to walk!
What makes the anal glands flare up? Like the ears, the anal glands are outposts of the immune system. They are part of the gastrointestinal system. The bulk of the immune system lines the walls of the large intestine, in large areas of lymphoid tissue called Peyer’s Patches, or GALT (Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue). Trouble with the anal glands is often the first sign of an immune system disruption.
Dogs and cats with anal gland problems should be put on a natural raw or homemade diet, given appropriate supplements to support intestinal detoxification, and should not be vaccinated any more. Surgical removal of the glands is not recommended, as the animals will still have immune system problems. The surgery often does not put a stop to the associated behaviors (scooting, itching, etc.), and the underlying cause can be much harder to cure.
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