How To Treat Your Dog For Anal Sac Disease
If you think something is wrong with your dog's bottom, then it is time to schedule an appointment at the pet hospital. It is a telltale sign of anal sac disease when a dog scoots around on his or her butt. Other signs may include a bad smell, biting or licking of the rear end, and constipation. Read on to find out how to treat your pet for anal sac disease.
What Is Anal Sac Disease?
Two small pouches are located on each side of a dog's anus. They produce a smelly brown fluid, which the animal uses for marking their territory. This fluid is also the reason why dogs sniff each others butts because it allows them to identify each other.
Anal sac disease occurs when something becomes lodged in the sacs. This can result in an abscess or an infection.
Eliminate The Blockage
Treatment starts with removing the blockage inside of the sacs. It is manually removed by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will very gently dislodge the item and remove the contents from the anal sacs.
Dog owners can perform this task at home, but usually do not want to. This procedure is often unpleasant and can be smelly.
The Presence Of Infection And Abscess
When removing the blockage, your veterinarian checks for infection and abscesses. The anal sacs are usually flush with a saline substance to get rid of the infection. If an abscess is present and ruptures, then it is treated in a similar manner. A ruptured abscess is treated with a saline solution, topical steroid treatments and antibiotics.
On the other hand, if the abscess is not ruptured, then your vet will want it to come to a head before moving forward with treatment. A lance procedure is performed once the abscess comes to head to drain the fluid.
Unfortunately, dogs can have reoccurring cases of sac disease. In these cases, the pets have to endure long-term treatment. This includes managing your dog's weight, providing regular exercise, and increasing insoluble fiber in your pet's diet. Surgery is also an option for severe cases of this disease.
Anal sac disease is a condition that you should not ignore. It tends to get worse with time and becomes difficult to treat. Treatment can do a variety of things for your pet. This includes relieving pain, emptying impacted sacs, getting rid of infection, healing abscesses, and identifying tumors. Companies like Baywood Animal Hospital can give you more information.