My Dog Has a Lump Near His Anus

While we will be focusing on the different types of perianal tumors in dogs, it is important to there are other reasons for a growth on a bog's bum. These can be due to various issues which can be cutaneous or subcutaneous, depending on the origin. Some of the most common causes of lump's near a dog's anus include the following:

• Anal gland issues: dogs have anal glands that can become impacted, infected, or abscessed, leading to swelling or lumps. Expressing the glands is often necessary, although surgical intervention can be required in severe cases.
  
  
• Abscesses or infections: bacterial infections in the anal region can cause abscesses, resulting in painful lumps. These may need drainage and antibiotic treatment.
  
  
• Fecal impaction: hardened stool masses can form near the anus, causing a visible lump. Dietary adjustments, laxatives or manual removal might be needed.
  
  
• Allergies or dermatitis: skin allergies or dermatitis can lead to inflammation, redness and lumps. Identifying and managing the underlying cause (such as allergies to household cleaner) is crucial.
  
  
• Tumors or growths: benign or malignant tumors can develop around the anus. We will discuss this further in the sections below on perianal tumors.
  
  
• Ingrown hairs or folliculitis: infections or inflammation of hair follicles can result in painful lumps. Topical or systemic antibiotics may be recommended.
  
  
• Perianal fistulas: chronic openings or tracts near the anus can cause lumps. When an infection becomes an abscess in the dog's subcutaneous or other tissue, the buildup of fluid can lead to inflammation.
  
  
• Hernias: inguinal or perineal hernias can cause protrusions near the anus.
  
  
• Trauma or injury: injury to the anal area, possibly from biting or scratching, can result in swelling or lumps. Treating the underlying cause and providing pain management is essential.
  
  
• Rectal prolapse: protrusion of the rectal lining can cause a visible lump. Immediate veterinary attention is necessary for evaluation and potential corrective measures.

It's crucial to monitor any changes in size, shape or behavior of the lump and seek prompt veterinary attention. A veterinarian will perform a physical examination, possibly recommend diagnostic tests and provide appropriate treatment based on the underlying cause.

If your dog has a bump somewhere else on their body, you might want to look at our article on the types of lumps on a dog's skin.

Whether you notice your dog is licking their private area more than usual or you see the lump itself, we need to know its underlying cause. The perianal area itself extends between the dog's anus and genitals. Since it is an area which contains many nerve endings, it can be incredibly sensitive. When they sustain an injury or develop a pathology in this area, the pain levels can be very high.

There are two important structures near the anus which can become inflamed:

• Anal sacs: these are glands which appear at the side of the anus, between the external and internal anal sphincters. Their function is to secrete a fluid which has two main purposes. Firstly, it helps lubricate the anus for defecation. Secondly, the smell of the fluid helps other dogs to both recognize the individual, as well as find out certain information about them. The anal glands can become impacted, often due to poor hygiene in the area. Abscesses can develop which become very large and may need draining by a veterinarian. Various problems with these glands are known as anal sac disease in dogs.
  
  
• Perianal glands: also called circumanal or hepatoid glands, these glands contain various hormone receptors (including androgens, estrogens and growth hormone). They are located in the subcutaneous tissue that surrounds the dog's anus. These are sebaceous-type glands, but do not secrete fluid.

Different types of tumors can appear in the perineal area, the most common being the following:

• Perianal adenoma: a mass is observed at the base of the tail or in the perianal area with progressive and painless growth. Although relatively benign, a perianal adenoma in dogs can ulcerate. It occurs more frequently in older non-castrated males, being the most prevalent tumor affecting them. However, it is also seen in females, especially in sterilized ones.
  
  
• Perianal adenocarcinoma: another tumor of the perianal glands and growth on the dog's bum, it shares similar characteristics to perianal adenomas. However, it is malign and aggressive. It can appear in dogs of any age and any sex.
  
  
• Anal sac adenocarcinoma: it is the most common tumor in spayed and non-spayed females, as well as older dogs in general. Hypercalcemia (increased calcium in the blood) occurs in this tumor.

It should be noted that certain dog breeds are more predisposed to perianal tumors than others. These breeds include:

• Cocker Spaniel
• Fox Terrier
• Breeds of Nordic origin
• Large breeds

When a veterinarian sees a lump near our dog's anus and suspects a malignant tumor, they will likely perform diagnostic imaging tests to determine if the tumor is malignant. They will also look for potential metastases since 50 to 80% of perianal tumors have metastasized by time of diagnosis.

The imaging techniques used include abdominal ultrasound to asses lymph nodes and other internal tissues. Radiography (x-ray) is useful for imaging tests in the thoracic organs, especially the lungs. Blood tests for dogs are useful in determining possible hypercalcemia and kidney damage in adenocarcinomas.

The main treatment for perianal tumors in dogs is surgical removal. However, this will depend on the type of tumor and whether it has metastasized. For this reason, treatment can vary.

• In the case of perianal adenomas, since they are so closely related to the hormones of non-castrated males, they must be castrated to reduce the risk of future recurrences. In doing so, we can reduce the probability of reducing it by 90%.
  
  
• When tumors are malignant and have metastasized, a complete removal with surgical edges should be performed. Post-surgical treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy will likely be administered. In cases of damage to kidney function and hypercalcemia, specific treatment with fluid therapy and drugs should be administered before surgery to reduce anesthetic risk.
  
  
• When the size of the lymph nodes makes defecation difficult, they must be removed to facilitate this process.

As soon as we spot a lump near our dog's anus, we need to take them to a veterinarian. They will be able to diagnose the problem, whether it is a perianal tumor or one of the pathologies below.

Although a perianal tumor is one of the most worrying reasons why a dog might have a lump near their anus, it is not the only one. As stated above, the anal glands of a dog can become impacted. This is when the ducts of the anal sacs are obstructed, often with fecal matter from the anus. When this happens, the fluid cannot be secreted, causing the glands to inflame and develop into a lump.

To remove the lump, the first thing to be done is to drain the anal sacs. We can drain them ourselves, but it is best to see a veterinarian to ensure it is performed correctly. Also, whether due to impaction or another cause, it is possible for the dog's anal gland to become infected. This will likely require antibiotic treatment in addition to draining.

When any part of the perianal area receives trauma, a wound can form. Since they are close to fecal matter, they can become easily infected. If not treated promptly, these infections can develop into abscesses. So too can ingrown hairs on their perianal area. These may also need draining and antibiotic treatment.

Finally, both parasites and allergic reactions can causes inflammation of the perianal area. Parasites can bury into the skin and form a lump. Treatment will require deworming after veterinary assessment. Allergic reactions often occur in this area because the dog sits on something to which it has an allergy. Determining the allergen is the first part of treatment, something which requires veterinary assistance.

Our article on how often to deworm a dog will help us to know more about preventing possible lumps on our dog's perianal area.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to My Dog Has a Lump Near His Anus, we recommend you visit our Other health problems category.