Anal Glands That Need Emptying Every Month and Thinning Stools
Reader Question
My dog's anal glands need to be expressed/emptied once per month. After expression, her stools return to a normal size. As the month progresses her stools get thinner and thinner. She is on a high-fibre diet. What could be the reason for this frequent filling?
Answer from Our Team
Some dogs refill quickly, but stools that get thinner as the glands fill is worth checking. Very full sacs can press on the rectum, yet a narrowed stool can also be caused by a mass near the anus or rectum, including an anal sac tumor. Ask your vet for a careful rectal exam, and an ultrasound if anything feels abnormal.
If no mass is found, your vet may look for causes of thick secretions or soft stools, such as allergies, and decide whether flushing the sacs or, in dogs with constant problems, surgery is worth considering.
See anal gland treatment.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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