We’ve all witnessed pets scoot their bums across floors or lawns and thought it adorable; but is anything really happening there?
Most pet owners are unaware that dogs and cats contain glands called anal sacs within their rectum that, every time their pet defecates, squeeze out light brown fluid from these glands – this process helps keep the rectum clean and odour-free in healthy animals; but if inflammation or infection narrows this opening further than expected then these glands become filled up with thick oily fluid which could result in scooting behavior from your pet.
An impacted anal gland will make your pet uncomfortable and potentially lead to an abscess, necessitating immediate attention from a veterinarian. Treatment options for an impacted anal sac can include expressing or flushing them out using anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medication; typically this process is painless for them although sedation may be necessary –
Wild animals use their anal glands for scent marking and self-defense (like how skunks spray), but domesticated dogs lack this ability; therefore their anal sacs must be emptied through walking around or defecation to be rid of imprinting waste products. When your pet’s anal sacs become blocked with debris you may notice discomfort; left untreated an infection may spread and lead to other problems including urinary tract disease.