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Q: My two-year-old dog 鈥渟quirts鈥� a foul-smelling fluid every time he鈥檚 startled by a knock at the door. I thought he had loose bowels, but my veterinarian says he鈥檚 expressing his anal glands. I鈥檝e never had a dog that did this before. Can you please tell me more? Do you have any advice to offer?

A: Dogs have two small oval-shaped sacs on either side of the anus. The purpose of the glands is to produce a fluid with a strong odor (very pungent and fishy smell) unique to each dog. It鈥檚 believed that the expression of a small amount of this fluid marks territory. Most dogs can also involuntarily express their anal sacks when they are fearful or become stressed.

Many dogs will go through their lifetime without any issues with their anal glands. There are times, however, when these glands can become full, impacted, or infected. When signs of anal gland issues occur, dog owners should contact from a veterinarian.聽

Signs of Anal Gland Problems in Dogs

• Scooting the rear end along the floor or lawn
• Excessive licking or itching the anal area
• Straining or difficulty with defecation (pooping)
• Blood or pus in the stool or near the rectum

Causes of Anal Gland Problems in Dogs

Certain factors may increase the likelihood of a dog developing impacted, infected or abscessed anal glands:

• Chronic skin dermatitis聽
• Obesity
• Insufficient dietary fiber聽
• Chronic soft stool
• Food and/or environmental allergies
• Genetics: While it鈥檚 more common for smaller breeds to develop issues with their anal gland no breed is immune.聽

With , some of these issues can be avoided.

Treatment and Prevention of Anal Glands Disease

If your dog is displaying signs and symptoms of an anal gland problem, seek the advice of your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may manually express the sacs. An if there is an infection.

To prevent anal gland problems, discuss a diet plan for your dog with your veterinarian. They may recommend that you include fish oil and increased dietary fiber in your dog鈥檚 diet. , cooked fresh pumpkin, and unsalted pumpkin seeds are a common diet addition. Read the label on the canned pumpkin to ensure there is no Xylitol,聽which is deadly for dogs.

What is the Purpose of a Dog鈥檚 Anal Sac?

There are a few theories as to why dogs have anal sacs and what purpose they serve. Some say the excretion from the anal gland act as a territorial scent marker. Others argue the excretion acts as a lubricant that helps a dog pass a hard stool.

Like it or not, your dog is a predator. And as such your dog has two anal sacs, also called anal glands, located on the lower sides of his anus. They produce an excretion with a scent that identifies him and tells other dogs such things as your dog鈥檚 sex, health, and approximate age.

These sacs express (excrete) this fluid when the dog has a bowel movement.

A poor diet or an inherited biological problem can cause the sac to malfunction. And if the sac doesn鈥檛 empty as designed, it can become impacted and make bowel movements difficult, even painful.

It鈥檚 not uncommon to see a dog attempt to relieve the discomfort of an impacted anal gland by biting at his butt or scooting it across the ground. This activity could damage the delicate tissue around the dog鈥檚 anus, so it鈥檚 best to get your dog to your vet as soon as possible.

Your vet can manually express the glands 鈥� a smelly process Your vet or a groomer can teach you how to do it, if you鈥檙e up to the challenge. But most owners prefer to pay to have it done.