by Brad Ochstein DVM

Created on: July 18, 2008

"Doctor, I think my pet has worms- he keeps scooting along on his rear." I can't tell you how many times I've heard this. By far, however, the most common cause of scooting in dogs is full or impacted anal sacs. Many people don't know they exist. When dogs ran wild, anal sacs were very important scent glands. The sacs sit on either side of the anus, at about 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock and produce a very pungent smelling secretion that is unique to each dog. These sacs sit within the muscle fibers of the anal sphincter muscle, so when the dog defecates and squeezes, they empty into the stool. This is how dogs determine territories, and it's also why they sniff each other's rears when they meet. Kind of a back-handed, digusting handshake.

As we've selectively bred dogs for different traits, many breeds, especially the smaller ones, have lost the muscle tone back there to effectively and consistently empty these sacs. Since they are constantly secreting this material, it can build up, causing discomfort. If left too long, they can become infected and even rupture. A dog dragging himself across the carpet almost certainly is in discomfort from impacted anal sacs, and needs relief as soon as possible.

"It can't be his anal sacs, Doc; my groomer/breeder/trainer just emptied them and he's still scooting." Ah, the second most common mistaken comment I hear about anal sacs. No doubt that these people are honestly trying to empty the anal sacs, in the way that they've been incorrectly taught, usually by their mentor or predecessor. They probably very often are able to empty at least a portion of some sacs. Unfortunately, however, most have been taught incorrectly, and either don't empty them completely, or worse, tell the owner they were empty when they are not. They have usually been taught to press firmly over the area of the anal sacs and expect a watery liquid to come out, which is often at least partially successful. However, many dogs have very thick material, or are anatomically situated in such a way that pressing from the outside will not effectively empty these sacs.

The only effective way to consistently empty the anal sacs and evaluate them appropriately is to put one gloved finger into the rectum and using that finger on one side and the thumb on the outside, milk the contents out, hopefully into a paper towel and not all over your clothes or walls. There are many different sizes, and the secretions can be any consistency from water to peanut butter, so knowing how much and how hard to squeeze can be difficult, only learned with experience. Also, there are some tumor types that can occur back there, so swellings in the area that don't empty readily need to be evaluated.

Because putting a gloved finger up a pets rear end is a little more than most people are really up for, this is a simple and quick procedure that is often done by a properly trained member of the nursing staff or by the veterinarian. If a well meaning groomer, trainer, or breeder tells you they've done it and Fido is still scooting, you may want to question their technique or just have it checked by your veterinarian. In any case, it should not be ignored. It is at least painful and uncomfortable, and could very easily escalate to a more significant problem if not properly addressed.

Learn more about this author, Brad Ochstein DVM.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.