Tails Of Woe: Anal Issues That Can Afffect Your Dog's Health
Posted on: 15 January 2016
While it may not be the most pleasant subject, health issues in your dog's anal region can severely affect their quality of life. Some problems may result in serious illness or death.
When your dog exhibits behavior such as excessive licking, biting, or dragging their anal region, blood is seen in the urine, or their bathroom habits change, it is time to visit a vet.
While some issues are merely annoying, others can be life altering and can significantly lower the quality of life of a beloved pet.
Bladder and rectum infections
Bladder infections have symptoms that resemble those in humans. Painful, infrequent, or excessive urination, blood in the urine, or inability to control urine flow are warning signs that require immediate attention at an emergency veterinary center. Infections that become systemic can threaten the overall health and life of your pet.
Obstructions and Infection of the anal glands
Dogs have anal glands on both sides of their rectum which secrete a scent that mixes with their droppings and leaves a scent that identifies them to other animals.
These glands can become obstructed, causing painful constipation issues. They may also become infected, which exacerbates the issue.
Your dog may bite at its rectum in an effort to gain some small measure of relief. Doing so could tear the soft tissue of the rectum, causing damage to sensitive nerves and muscles and possibly causing ongoing incontinence issues in the future.
If your dog presents a foul odor or discharge from its rectum, exhibits signs of ongoing constipation or biting at the rectum, you should schedule a vet appointment as soon as possible.
Rectal rumors or polyps
If discovered and removed at an early stage, rectal rumors, polyps, or other growths can be removed without damage to sensitive rectal muscles and nerves. Surgical removal of growths after they have grown beyond their initial stages can lead to rectal damage and future incontinence.
Your dog should be checked periodically for anal region issues, especially if your dog is a long haired breed. Long hair can not only hide potential problems such as tumors or polyps, but can also become matted with fecal matter.
This can cause infections in the anal region, as bacteria is trapped in the matted hair and kept near the body. Excess hair around the anal region should be trimmed periodically to avoid not only infections but parasitic infestations that can also lower your pet's quality of life (and leave a trail on your carpets as your dog scoots across the floor for relief).
For more information, contact Animal Emergency Clinic or a similar location.
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