Anal glands are small glands that live just inside the anus of most mammals. they are small and contain a smelly fluid. If the glands act as they should every time your cat or dog defecates, the feces presses against the glands before leaving the large intestines and glandular material is released. The exact purpose of these glands are not 100% known but they are believed to help animals mark their territory.
What Happens When the Glands are Too Small or are Inflamed?
Symptoms like scooting are noticed by most pet owners when the glands cannot empty easily and need to be expressed. This can be caused by very tiny gland opening or by inflammation related to things like food allergies. When the fluid is trapped and it can’t leave the glands normally, owners notice signs like scooting, licking of the glands and so on.
If a gland remains filled with fluid that keeps being produced, the gland can become tender and painful and may rupture externally – next to the anus. This is now an anal gland abscess (a walled of infection). This requires antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment and sometimes placing a topical medication directly into the sire of the rupture.
Ideally, with the first signs of an enlarged gland like scooting, you bring your pet into your veterinarian for an exam and the glands can be evaluated through rectal palpation and expressed. If the gland fluid appears to be infected, your veterinarian will probably add antibiotics.
For chronic cases that don’t seem to improve, your veterinarian may sedate your pet, obtain a sample of the gland fluid for bacterial culture and infuse and antibiotic and steroid directly into the gland pores so the medication can mix with the impacted gland.
Some cases of impacted glands respond to a noel protein diet that your veterinarian may prescribe. Over time if your pet has food allergies which lead to inflammation, a special veterinary diet may help with sensitivities and reduce inflammation and make it easier for fluid to exit the glandular pore.
For refractory cases that don’t respond to direct gland infusion or any of the other discussed treatments, there is always the option of surgically removing the glands. The gland importance is not very significant and if it is causing ongoing discomfort for your pet and regular visits to your veterinarian for expression and management, anal sac removal (anal sacculectomy) may be just what the doctor orders! Plus, most animals become progressively scared of veterinary visits as a painful gland or glands are constantly being examined and expressed.
A procedure like this should be done by a boarded veterinary surgeon or a general practitioner with a lot of experience doing this procedure. If too much tissue is taken it can damage the anal sphincter and make your cat or canine companion incontinent.
While an anal sacculectomy may sound extreme, for companion animals with chronic anal gland issues, this is a permanent solution. In this author’s experience, I can’t think of anyone that regrets doing this procedure. It should be reserved for chronic cases that don’t respond to standard treatments, but it is a cure that provides lasting relief to your furry friend and ultimately to you, as you’re not seeing your pet uncomfortable or scared to see your family veterinarian anymore.
If your companion animal is experiencing anal gland issues, Urban Animal Veterinary Hospital is here to help. Call us to schedule your pet’s exam and let us help you ensure that they live in comfort and with the dignity they deserve!
