Is Your Dog a Butt Scooter?

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     Has your dog ever bitten his bottom in front of guests? Or perhaps he scooted around on your living room floor in front of your friends. While this is embarrassing for you, it's important to know that your dog hasn't just gone loony all of a sudden.

Your dog might be dealing with a painful anal sac problem. You can help your dog, but first you need to understand all about anal sacs. There are two sacs on either side of your dog's anus. These are the size of a pea and contain a strong liquid. Whenever your dog has a bowel movement the liquid in this sacs should be secreted.

This very same liquid is what other dogs are sniffing when they come into contact with your dog. Sadly, the liquid does not always make its way out like it should. This can occur when your dog has a stool that is too soft.

When anal sacs fail to drain your dog will be in a lot of pain. These sacs become harder to drain the longer they are blocked. Eventually, an abscess can form and infections abound. As your dog is dealing with this discomfort they may fuss with the area so much that they wound themselves even further. Some dogs have been known to bite the area and destroy their fur.

If it is a mild case you might correct it by adding a bit more fiber to their diet. This will make their stools harder so the pressure from going to the bathroom can release some of the fluid. If this does not work it's time to take even more active steps.

There are some groomers who are well versed in the art of emptying anal glands. This is becoming pass? as veterinarians are suggesting leaving them alone unless there is a problem with them.

If these glands are emptied it is important to look at what is secreted. There should not be any black paste, pus or blood. Otherwise, emptying the sacs this way is usually enough to get rid of any discomfort. The dog should actually not feel any pain. If the problem is worse off it is essential that the groomer empties the sacs internally.

There are some dogs that have a persistent problem with their anal sacs. In this case, it might be necessary to have a vet remove the glands. This is a hard decision because it can permanently damage the muscles around the anus. Dogs are usually in a lot of pain after this operation.

Many dog owners think that when their pet scoots around on their behind it is a sign of worms. While this may be the case if you haven't wormed him on a regular basis, the cause may be something more serious and worth asking your vet about.

If you suspect that your dog has an anal sac problem you should get it taken care of right away. The more time you take to hesitate, the worse the blockage might get.