Home remedies, symptoms & 3 causes

One anal gland inflammation in the dog is one painful inflammation in the anal sac area. Such inflammation is relatively common in dogs.

In this article you will find out what the symptoms of anal gland inflammation look like, what causes they can have and how this clinical picture should be treated.

In a nutshell: how does anal gland inflammation develop?

There are several possible causes of anal gland inflammation in dogs. Most of the time it is caused by Sticking or clogging of the anal glands.

The anal gland secretion can no longer be released and it forms bacteriathat cause anal gland inflammation.

Causes of anal gland inflammation

Dogs have two anal glands, one on the left and one on the right of the anus and about two to four millimeters under the skin.

These produce a brownish secretion that mixes with the feces. For us humans, this secretion smells very unpleasant, but gives the dog excrement an individual smell that serves to mark territory.

In order for the anal glands, the ducts of the glands and the anal sac to work together optimally when defecation, the dog excrement must have the right consistency. Dog faeces that are too soft are usually the cause of anal gland inflammationbut often also a chair that is too hard.

1. Too soft dog poop

If the dog has a very soft or even liquid stooli.e. has diarrhea, there is no pressure when defecation to mix the secretion from the anal glands with the faeces.

However, the secretion continues to be produced in the anal glands. Since it remains in the glands, it becomes tough and die ducts clog.

2. Dog poop that is too solid

Even if your dog’s stool for a long time is too hard, this can lead to complaints. The increased pressure can irritate and swell the anal glands.

Here, too, the secretion cannot drain off, becomes viscous and also clogs the ducts.

In the backlogged anal gland secretion, bacteria form, which can come from the dog’s normal skin flora as well as faecal bacteria. This causes anal gland inflammation.

3. Other possible causes

In addition to the consistency of the faeces, coat hygiene also plays an important role. Very long and dense fur can also clog the ducts of the anal glands.

At a acidic colon flora Acids and toxins rising into the anal sac can lead to hardening or excessive formation of the anal gland secretion.

In rarer cases, a abnormally increased gland function for excessive production of secretions. Often there is an overactive anal gland genetically conditioned.

Also rare is one Inflammation of neighboring organs before, whose swelling constricts the excretory ducts.

Anal glands inflamed: These are the symptoms

When the anal glands are inflamed, there are usually several symptoms.

Diarrhea is not a symptom for an anal gland inflammation itself, but this usually precedes it. This is an important point for the anamnesis or diagnosis.

Anal gland inflammation is very painful for the dog. It’s difficult to look at a dog in pain, but it often goes through howling or whimpering noticeable. Also increased panting can indicate pain.

In this context is often also food refusal and indifference to observe.

Most of the time, the dog suffering from anal gland inflammation also has it problems with defecation.

Licks and scratches your dog breeds at the anusthat is just as much a sign as nibbling on the rod.

If your dog goes sledding, this is another indication of an infection. Here, your dog moves while sitting on the ground in order to get through the grinding itching to alleviate.

Brown spots on blankets or carpets as well unpleasant smell on your dog itself are also among the characteristics.

The anal glands can be bloody and purulent.

The anal sacs are swollen due to the clogged ducts. Often are too allergic reaction observed on the skin or mucous membrane.

As is often the case with inflammation, anal gland inflammation is often caused by Fever accompanied.

Treatment options for inflamed anal glands

An anal gland inflammation must in any case be treated by a veterinarian to avoid complications.

However, you can also help your dog with homeopathic remedies, but also with home remedies and a diet or general change in diet.

At the vet

Before the actual diagnosis and treatment, an anamnesis takes place. Through this owner survey, the veterinarian receives important information in order to examine the dog based on the symptoms described and to make a diagnosis.

In the actual therapy massaged the veterinarian drains the inflammatory secretion from the clogged anal sacs and empties them manually.

However, this is only possible if the secretion is still at least viscous. If it is already hardened, it must first soaked become.

In the next step, the rectum is treated with a flushed with anti-inflammatory and disinfectant solution and the entire anal area cleaned hygienically.

Depending on the progress of the inflammation also come antibiotics for use.

To soothe the irritated anal region, a pain relieving ointment upset, maybe comes here too cortisone under consideration.

This treatment is usually repeated a few timesuntil the inflammation has completely subsided.

with homeopathy

In addition to treatment by the veterinarian, you can also support the healing process in your dog with homeopathic medicinal products support.

However, administration should in consultation with your veterinarian take place. Even if homeopathic remedies are purely natural, the ingredients can interact with antibiotics that have already been administered.

Veterinarians in particular are usually very open to homeopathic treatment. Just ask him about it when you visit. We have put together some suitable means for you here:

Traumeel is a homeopathic pain reliever available in gel and tablet form.

It helps particularly with skin irritations and is well suited in gel form to treat the anal region irritated by the inflammation and to relieve the pain there.

• Arnica D5 is a globule and has an anti-inflammatory effect

• Against inner restlessness, which often occurs with inflammation Tarantula D8 be used.

• tallow tree (Myristika sebifera D8) works on purulent inflammations and abscesses

• The active ingredient of deadly nightshade of globules Belladonna D4 is anti-inflammatory and antipyretic

• Mercurius solubilis D12 (Mercury) helps with acute inflammation and abscess formation

• silica (Silicea D30) generally supports healing.

Schuessler salt is used for tissue regeneration Calcium fluoratum D6 recommended.

The veterinary therapy can be done with a Bach flower therapy with anti-inflammatory and antipyretic medicinal plants such as holly and Centaury are additionally supported.

Clogged and inflamed anal glands: home remedies

As with homeopathy, there is also the use of home remedies only supportive and does not replace a visit to the vet.

Home remedies often have a good effect without resorting to the chemical club. Here some examples:

Mixed with the feed, psyllium husks stimulate intestinal activity. Digestion is stimulated and the faeces can become softer.

• linseed also stimulate intestinal activity, the same applies to coconut or carrot flakeswhich are also mixed with the feed.

• coconut oil has the same effect and at the same time strengthens the immune system. However, it should be used sparingly. Too much of a good thing does the opposite and can lead to diarrhea.

• Envelopes with chamomile or calendula provide relief to irritated and reddened anal glands.

what to feed

When a dog has a fever and pain, it often refuses food. If necessary, try to feed him by hand.

After the anal glands have been drained by the vet, it’s important to get your dog’s digestion going again to get his poop back to an optimal consistency.

Help for stimulating digestion fibersuch as psyllium or linseed, but also coconut oil, as already described in the home remedies, which you can mix with the usual feed.

A mix of small pieces of carrot and chicken, cooked together with rice, is an appropriate and tasty bland diet. However, only feed this to your dog at most lukewarm and not directly from the stove.

There are also a wide variety of types of food in the pet trade as wet or dry food as a light diet for digestive problems.

How long does anal gland inflammation in dogs last?

There is no general answer to the question of how quickly your dog will be fit again.

The healing period is initial depending on the progress of the inflammation. A slight inflammation of the anal glands usually sounds after a few days off again, provided she has received veterinary treatment.

Inflammations that already have to be treated with antibiotics take correspondingly longer to heal. In some cases, several follow-up treatments by the veterinarian are necessary.

That too age of your dog, Pre-existing illness and the general health are factors that can affect the duration of the healing process.

Anal gland abscess as a result of inflammation – what to do?

An anal gland or anal sac abscess does not develop overnight.

However, it is important to always monitor your dog for signs of anal gland dysfunction. This is especially important if your dog has had problems here before.

Often one follows constipation of the excretory ducts of the anal glands with prolonged diarrhea.

If this constipation is not recognized or ignored, it leads to a anal gland inflammation.

The anal gland secretion continues to be formed, but cannot be removed due to the blockage of the ducts. Bacterial and thus inflammatory foci form.

Although anal gland inflammation is very painful for a dog, it often goes undiagnosed or untreated and becomes chronic.

One chronic inflammation again can abscesses form, which can be recognized in the anal area by their red coloring.

Likewise, so-called fistulas form, that is, the secretion finds its own way. A new execution path is created here. Secretion, blood and pus run through the fistula canal into the anus area and rectum and additionally irritate the tissue.

If the anal glands continue to work and produce more and more secretion, but that…