My Dog Keeps Licking His Butt and It Smells

Your dog has a smelly “fish” smell because of the secretion coming out of their anal glands. This is often associated with impacted and infected anal glands as it is one of the symptoms of these health issues. Understanding these problems can help you recognize when to seek veterinary assistance. Continue reading to learn more about these two gland problems.

Dogs commonly lick their butt to groom themselves. However, if your dog is excessively licking their butt, it is most likely due to impacted anal glands or infected anal glands. This is caused by inflammation of the ducts, which makes the sacs swollen and distended, causing significant discomfort when your dog attempts to pass feces.

In normal situations, the bacteria are flushed out when the secretions are expelled during a bowel movement. However, if the anal glands are impacted, the fluid does not empty normally and they become infected. This leads to the dog experiencing pain when trying to defecate and having pus or blood come out of their anus. In addition to these symptoms, dogs with anal gland issues might also exhibit changes in behavior, such as increased irritability or restlessness.

Some dogs can experience reoccurring impacted or infected anal glands, however, it is not normal. Those prone to this health issue are overweight dogs. The treatment consists of expressing your dog's anal glands (which we will explain down below), as well as the use of antibiotics and painkillers.

In extreme cases, where the anal glands are heavily infected, your veterinarian will conclude that they will need to surgically remove your dog's anal glands. This is a safe operation that shouldn't affect your pet's capacity to control their bowel movements. Some dogs experience loose stools or lack of bowel control after the surgery. Nevertheless, after one to three weeks after the surgery, they gain the control back. It should be noted that this surgery is generally considered a last resort.

Lastly, older dogs can develop cancer of the glands within the anal sacs called adenocarcinoma. This type of cancer can be aggressive, so early detection and treatment are crucial. Regular veterinary check-ups can help in identifying such issues promptly.

Impacted anal glands occur when the secretions stored within the glands aren't able to be expressed. Impaction is uncomfortable and increases the chances of infection. Symptoms include:

• Excessive licking and chewing anus.
• Fish and feces smell.
• Scooting and dragging butt.
• Pain defecating.
• Discharge left on the floor.
• Reluctance to have their hind end touched.
• Diarrhea or other digestive issues.

In addition, dogs might show signs of general discomfort or anxiety. Owners should be attentive to any changes in their dog's routine or behavior, as these could indicate a problem.

Also known as anal sac diseases, this is when the anal glands become infected. This can be extremely painful for dogs. If an infection has developed, symptoms may also include:

• Red spots in discharge on floor.
• Pus visible in discharge on floor.
• Pus coming out of their anus.
• Swollen area near anus.
• Hole near anus with bloody or pus discharge.
• Pain in their hind end.

It is crucial to address these symptoms promptly to prevent further complications. Learn more in our article about impacted and infected anal glands in dogs.

Take your dog to the veterinarian

First, you will need to take your dog to the veterinarian to be properly examined and diagnosed. This way, your veterinarian will be able to tell you with certainty what the issue is and the best treatment for your dog. Early diagnosis can prevent the condition from worsening.

If your dog has an impacted anal gland, your veterinarian will express your dog's anal glands and perhaps give them painkillers or antibiotics. However, if you do not get it treated in time, they may develop an infection. This infection will also be treated through expressing your dog's anal glands and treating it with antibiotics and/or painkillers. However, in serious cases, dogs will need to have their anal glands surgically removed.

Express your dog's anal glands

Normally, a veterinarian will express their patient's anal glands. However, some dog companions prefer to learn how to do it themselves to save time and money. When you take your dog to the veterinarian to get properly diagnosed and treated, you can have them do it or they can teach you how to do it at home.

To express your dog's anal glands, follow these instructions and watch the video below where a veterinarian will also explain how to do it at home.

1. Wear latex gloves and have a warm cloth nearby.
2. Find their anal glands at 4 and 8 o'clock when looking at their anus.
3. Apply firm but gentle pressure to the glands under the skin. Do this while moving upwards and back towards the anus.
4. Use the cloth by placing it over the anus while you apply pressure in order to avoid their discharge from squirting everywhere.
5. Wipe them clean with another cloth and give them a small treat.

If your dog continues to have this issue, speak to your veterinarian as there could be more to their issue. Here we leave a video where a veterinarian teaches you how to safely express your dog's anal glands at home. As a warning, this video is graphic. Remember, performing this procedure incorrectly can cause harm, so ensure you're fully informed and comfortable doing so.

Change your dog's diet

Other than expressing your dog's anal glands and taking them to the veterinarian, you can also change your dog's diet to help them secrete whatever is stored in their anal glands. Their new diet should be highly digestible, full of fiber, high quality, and have limited ingredients.

In fact, you can find dog food specifically formulated for dogs with impacted anal glands online or at local pet shops. These diets are designed to support digestive health and promote healthy bowel movements. Ask your veterinarian for more information about a new diet. Many vets can provide recommendations based on the specific needs of your pet.

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 Keeps Licking His Butt and It Smells, we recommend you visit our Reproductive system diseases category.