A scooting dog will sit, lift his hind paws, and use his front paws to drag himself across the ground. He might lick and chew at the area too. While an occasional quick scoot is no reason to be concerned, continued licking and scooting may mean irritated anal glands are driving your dog to distraction.
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Description
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Dogs, cats and other predatory animals have scent sacs that secrete a thick, strong-smelling substance. They are located just below the skin on either side of the anus, which is why dogs greet each other with a sniff to the backside. The glands normally express their contents as the dog exercises or whenever he has a bowel movement, leaving his signature scent so others will know he's been there. If the glands don't properly empty themselves, the sacs become impacted. Left untreated, they grow painful and irritated and may eventually become infected.
Treatment
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A scooting dog is trying to empty his anal glands, and he'll likely need some help to finish the job. Expressing the anal glands is a routine but smelly procedure that any veterinarian or groomer can perform. The website for Mar Vista Animal Medical Center in Los Angeles demonstrates the technique, which can also be done at home.
While holding a cloth or tissue to absorb the smelly excretions, fingers are placed on either side of the anus and then pressure is applied toward the center to squeeze out the anal sacs. First-timers may want help from a groomer or veterinarian. A dog with painful anal glands might be uncooperative, and awkward or unsuccessful attempts at home could make matters worse.
Prevention
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Some veterinarians recommend a high-fiber diet for dogs with frequent anal gland problems. The fiber makes the dog's stools larger and bulkier, which may help empty the anal glands. According to the Doctors Foster and Smith website, dogs can eat commercially-prepared high-fiber foods, or they can have bran added to their normal diet. Sedentary dogs might also be encouraged to get more exercise, since anal glands sometimes empty during physical activity.
Other Considerations
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An occasional smelly anal gland problem is little more than a mild annoyance to you and your dog, but chronic and untreated cases are a more serious matter. Impacted anal glands can become infected, sometimes forming painful abscesses that require veterinary care and antibiotics. Scooting can injure the skin around the anus, which could cause infection or scarring. As the Mar Vista clinic website warns, if your dog keeps scooting even when her anal glands are emptied, she needs to see a vet. She could be dealing with allergies, parasites or pain.
Stubborn Cases
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Some dogs are highly prone to anal gland problems. In stubborn cases, dogs may need to have their glands expressed on a weekly basis. When other treatments don't help, veterinarians may recommend surgical removal of the anal sacs.
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