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Anal sac impaction
Introduction
- Common.
- Retention of anal sac secretions often leading to discomfort, inflammation and infection.
- Cause: unknown but may be related to diet, external anal sphincter dysfunction, undersized anal sac ducts, loose stools, Taenia proglottids lodged in the anal sac duct orifice, blockage of ducts from perineal skin disease, eg from allergy, conformation or obesity and trauma.
- Signs: pain on defecation, tenesmus, licking and biting at the region, “scooting” (rubbing/dragging the perineum on the ground), redness and swelling over the anal sac region.
- Diagnosis: clinical signs, prior history of anal sac impaction, difficulty when attempting to express anal sacs.
- Treatment: express anal sacs and/or vigorously flush and instill an antibiotic ointment in each anal sac. Anal sacculectomy if becomes chronic.
Presenting signs
- Pain on defecation or if the tail is touched.
- Redness and swelling over the anal sac region.
- Fecal tenesmus.
- Licking and biting at the region.
- Dragging anal region on ground (scooting).
Age predisposition
- None.
Gender predisposition
- None.
Breed/Species predisposition
- Commoner in small breeds.
Cost considerations
- Usually low.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Not well researched, but:
- Low fiber diet.
- External anal sphincter dysfunction.
- Undersized anal sac ducts.
- Loose stools (colitis Colitis: overview).
- Taenia proglottids
lodged in the anal sac duct orifice (rare). - Allergic skin disease Skin: flea bite hypersensitivity; canine atopic dermatitis Skin: atopy, food hypersensitivity/allergy Skin: food hypersensitivity.
- Duct obstruction from conformation, mass lesions, obesity Obesity or trauma.
Predisposing factors
Specific
- Chronic allergy.
- Colitis.
- Low fibre diet.
- Obesity.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Maina E, Galzerano M, Noli C (2014) Perianal pruritus in dogs with skin disease.Vet Derm 25 (3), 204-e52 PubMed.
- James D J, Griffin C E, Polissar N L (2011) Comparison of anal sac cytological findings and behaviour in clinically normal dogs and those affected with anal sac disease: canine anal sac cytology. Vet Derm 22, 80-87 PubMed.
- Ross J T, Scowelli T D, Matthiesen D T & Patnaik A K (1989) Adenocarcinoma of the apocrine gland of the anal sac in the dog - a retrospective study of 31 dogs. Vet Surg 18 (1), 71 VetMedResource.
- Van Dujkerene (1995) Disease conditions of the canine anal sacs. JSAP 36 (1), 12-16 PubMed.
Other sources of information
- How to treat an anal gland abscess in a dog. VETgirl, LLC Veterinary Continuing Education Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5YG7n06r6E