What is that Smell? Anal Glands: Their Functions and Dysfunctions (WARNING: This article is not for the weak stomached)

from the AMCA Newsletter, Volume 45, No 4. April 1997 — Health Column written by Jocelynn Jacobs-Knoll, DVM

Ever notice how when you try to put a puppy up on the veterinarian's exam table for the first time, or try to get your dog to do something they just hate doing (i.e., cutting toe nails), this yellowish, creamy liquid seems to fly everywhere along with a repulsive odor that heavily hangs in the air?? Just where is that coming from?? You just can't imagine it coming from that little 6 week old bundle of joy you just put on the grooming table to blow dry for the first time. But let me assure you, yes, that offensive odor is coming from that precious little puppy from a not so precious place. That terrible stench is coming from material made by a gland called the anal gland. Just try being a veterinarian for a day — you will come to find shades and odors of anal glands you never knew existed!

Just what are anal glands and what are their functions?

Anal glands are small liquid secreting tissues located in the anal sac. There are two anal sacs sitting on the right and left side of the anus. The openings where the materials leaks out are very small, and may not be easy to see without close examination (if you dare!). They are just like any other gland (except for their pungent stench) in the body such as mammary glands or sweat glands in how they operate. It makes perfect sense why dogs have mammary and sweat glands, but just what is the function of this stinky liquid? Actually it is thought that the anal gland functions much like other scent glands in the dogs — i.e., dogs can learn things about other dogs by sniffing them similar to glands located on the head and neck. Dogs spend a lot of time sniffing each others' rears and feces which just happen to be places where anal gland material is located. Mechanically speaking, when feces are excreted through the anus, the pressure exerted by the dog cause the gland to release a little of its liquid “coating” the stool. This material stays on the stool so other dogs who come by can “learn” something about the dog who left it.

This may have been very important when dogs were in wild packs. It may have allowed dogs to tell who was from their own pack by the smell of the glandular material left on the stools. During times of fear or fighting, these glands can be released by “accident” because of anxiety of a situation, and thus a big dose of material is released compared to the smaller amount left on the stool during normal excretion.

Normally the material that lives in these sacs is cream to pale yellow in color and is yogurt-like in consistency. Thus, this liquid can easily be removed from the gland when “milked.” Sometimes, however, the gland can become clogged or the material can become thick and almost chunky. That is abnormal for these glands and is an indication that something is wrong.

Anal Sac Disease

There are three major disease conditions that can occur with anal sacs. The first is anal sac impactions. This is known as a retention of anal sac material caused by an obstruction or foreign body. The second is anal sacculitis which is the inflammation and/or infection within the anal sac walls and opening. And the last is an anal gland abscess which can arise when either of the two preceding events occur causing the sac material to build up with pus and bacteria. These overly filled sacs can cause a weakening in the gland wall. Then material can “blow” or leak from another site on the rear of the dog. None of these conditions are fun to deal with, and they all are quite painful for the dog.

For the most part, cause for anal gland problems are unknown. Significantly tiny gland openings can act like obstructions to cause impactions to occur. Tapeworm segments can get lodged in the gland openings also causing obstructions to occur. Stool changes such as diarrhea can introduce bacteria to the openings of the anal sacs also causing bacteria to be introduced to the sac thus producing inflammation, infection and possible abscesses to occur. Overly “milked” glands by the dog's owners can cause irritation and inflammation to occur. All these are potential reasons for the anal sacs to become unhealthy causing problems for the dog.

Clinical signs that dogs will demonstrate with anal gland problems include pain, straining or reluctance to defecate; licking and biting at the tailhead or anus area; reluctance to sit; rubbing anus on the ground or carpet — scooting; redness of the anus or areas around the anus; and if the problem is chronic, there can be draining material coming from the openings or areas around the anus.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Anal Gland Disorders

Many times, having a veterinarian “milk” the material from the gland can allow them to see how full or how impacted the glands are. The consistency of the material as well as its color will be taken into consideration for a diagnosis. This can be done in an exam room without sedation, although it can be a painful or uncomfortable procedure for the dog. If the dog has recurrent problems, antibiotics with or without cortisone can be put into the gland to eliminate infections. Some dogs have recurrent anal gland problems and the owner opts to have them surgically removed. Dogs can get along very well without anal glands, thus removal, though expensive, can make life for both the owner and dog more enjoyable.

Alaskan Malamutes are not the typical breed considered to have anal gland problems, but because they have these glands, they certainly can experience problems with them. If your dog is showing any of the listed clinical signs, you may want to have them examined by your veterinarian.