Young Dog Leaking Small Poops at Night: Could It Be the Anal Glands?
The issue for the past 6 mos. is nocturnal leakage. We awake occasionally in the morning to find both 1-2 small well formed feces or more rarely what appears to be loose leakage.
There has not been any change in his diet that I can attribute to this change. He does rarely exhibit scooting after relieving himself. We have noticed that he develops a dogginess smell sooner than expected after grooming.
The scooting and the early “doggy” smell after grooming make the anal glands a good first suspect. When the glands are full or inflamed, they can leak a strong-smelling fluid, and the irritation can make it harder for the muscle around the anus to stay fully closed, especially while a dog is relaxed and asleep. Skin irritation around the rear can add to it.
Ask your vet to check and, if needed, empty the glands, and to do a rectal exam. If the glands are fine, the next step is a closer look at the anal sphincter and the nerves that control it, including the reflex around the anus and a check of his back legs and tail. Nightly leaking in a young dog with firm stool is less often from bowel disease, but your vet may also suggest a stool test.
Meanwhile, give him a good walk before bed so his bowel is empty, keep the fur around his rear trimmed, and use a washable cover on his bed. See our guides to anal gland problems and bowel incontinence in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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