Anal Gland Impaction
Anal gland impaction is a major reason why dogs and cats lick or drag their bottom along the ground (‘scooting’). The anal glands (or anal sacs) are paired structures and are found at about the 4 and 8 o’clock positions around the anus.
Their major function is lubricating solid bowel motions and marking territory. Blockage may happen when the stool is consistently soft or if the pet becomes overweight. The resulting blockage causes anal irritation and pain, so your pet will ‘scoot’ in an attempt to relieve the problem. Occasionally they can become so severe that the sac becomes infected and may even rupture like an abscess.
Relief can be obtained by manually emptying (expressing) the blocked sacs. You may be able to do this yourself after being shown the correct method by a vet.
If you think your dog or cat has anal sac problems please contact the clinic for advice.