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Guest Blog:  Anal Sac Issues

Dr. Jill Kusba, DVM, MS, CCRT, CVA,CVCH, CVT

Care Animal Clinic, Brookfield, WI.

Thank you so much for your videos tutorials. I noticed that in one video you mentioned that a client asked, “Could it be the anal sacs?”  

I’ve had a number of cases that presented with a complaint of “hunched back”, “roached back”, lameness or the appearance of paresis due to severe anal sac pain. None of them had the classic scooting or licking of the rear noted by their owners

Recently, a 16-year-old golden retriever who had been improving over weeks of therapy for miscellaneous musculoskeletal issues, suddenly was down requiring an emergency house call.  The only new finding was that he was holding his tail tight against the perineum, the right anal sac was impacted and infected. There were no other symptoms of scooting or licking at the area before the client found him unable to get up. During the exam I found nothing new other than an anal sac ready to rupture. After treatment, he was “back to himself” in 24 hours eating and moving about.

Another 16 year border collie was at the chiropractor for a hunched back and slow movement.  All sorts of adjustments were performed but she was not much better.  The client was considering euthanasia when I saw her.  During the exam no new issues for the patient were found other than an impacted anal sac. After opening up the impaction and treating the infection she returned to her base line the next day.

Another patient was carried in on her dog bed as the client was thinking it was her last day. Again an anal sac impaction, after the anal sacs were treated, she was back to herself.

None of these cases had the typical symptoms of anal sac troubles of licking or scooting. Some sac pain is so vague and deep that it can look like a back problem or lameness.

My own dog who was not as active as expected for a 4-year-old, had no symptoms other than licking the blankets at night. She abscessed her anal sac the next day.  After treatment her licking symptom stopped.

The anal sacs can causes vague pain that radiates into the pelvis area or legs. Old dogs have many issues already that can be attributed to similar symptoms. Making certain that the anal sacs are not contributing to the gait change or lack of normal activity is important.  

Veterinary schools do not address anal sacs the way they do other areas of the body such as ears. If there is any issue with the perineal area, the animal will not move optimally and can exacerbate existing issues.

Anal sac fluid should be clear, not flocculated with no gross color change. Healthy anal sacs are as important as a healthy mouth. My suspicion is they are part of the natural pro-biotics of the GI system not just sent glands. 

I was taught to solve anal sac problems by performing analsaculectomies. I prefer medical management. Local treatment and more frequent anal sac expressions typically resolve the problem.

As a comparison, try putting menthol in your perineal area. One will find it difficult to move with fluidity.