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Below is an overview of Anal sac disease presenting signs and disease factors. For individual disease information see the pages under Recto-anal Conditions

Description

The anal sacs can become impacted,infected, abscessed, or neoplastic. Anything resulting in retention of sac contents e.g. soft faeces, poor muscle tone may predispose to bacterial overgrowth, infection, and inflammation.

Signalment

Small dog breeds are predisposed to anal sac disease, large dogs and cats are rarely affected. Obese dogs are also more frequently affected.

Clinical Signs

Include excessive licking or chewing around tail base or anus, reluctance to sit or discomfort when sitting, scooting, dyschezia if extreme,tenesmus and sometimes draining tracts.

Disease factors:

  • Faecal consistency
  • Diet
  • Poor muscle tone
  • Inactivity
  • Obesity
  • Generalized seborrhoea
  • Oestrus
  • Anal furunculosis
  • Small toy breeds
  • German Shepherd Dogs