Unfortunately, lots of dog breeds face many problems, especially pugs, face much health issues like Problem with Anal Glands in Pugs in their adult age or old age but I didn’t mean that Pugs didn’t face these problems in the initial age but most of them the time Pugs face these problems in adult age.
pugs face these problems with their anal glands. Sometimes anal gland impactions get so bad that they become such a huge health issue and causing pain for the pug and quite a mess for the owner. Sometimes people don’t take it seriously and it can become a serious issue. so let’s talk about how to prevent pugs anal gland issue?
Pugs anal gland issues
So if your pug faces anal gland issues so you need to be quick. because if you don’t take it seriously it can become a serious health issue and it can cost both you and your pug. So if anal glands are such a pain in the butt. why do pugs have them and what can you do to help your pug if they suffer from regular anal gland problems?
Signs of a pug’s anal glands issue.
Unfortunately, lots of pugs have problems with their anal glands. these are the signs of a dog’s anal glands issue.
- The first sign is often scooting or dragging the butt along the ground.
- Pugs doing excessive licking or biting
- At the base of the tail rather than the anal area.
- Try to touch the anal gland area or tail. Check them they growl or not.
- Pug anal gland problem is very painful so do it gently.
- If your pug growl then mostly your pug is facing anal gland issue.
What anal glands are and why pugs have them
Anal glands are scent glands — some people suggest to them as “anal sacs.” They are found within the layers of muscles that make up the rectum and when all is working right, they are normally expressed, through the duct that connects the gland to the butt open area.
Most of the veterinarians confront these issues with pugs and deal with them carefully. Anal glands, perfectly known as anal sacs, refer to the sacs on either side of the anus that produce an uncommon scent for dogs. Every time your pug poops, the poop gently squeezes the anal glands and coats the poo. this is the reason why dogs smell each other anal glands when they meet and they love this.
Why Pug face Anal gland Issue?
Pug face Anal gland Issue because of not able to empty the stomach. When pugs not able to empty the stomach while pooping. The glands started producing secretions continuously and then become very full. Then the anal glands become too full. That causes a pug anal gland issue, or pug anal sac.
This leads to the anal gland problem. The impacted anal gland becomes inflamed due to the pressure building up within and becomes susceptible to bacterial infection! It’s not the end. If the infection is left untreated, it can become so painful and leads to serious health issues.
Things that causes pugs anal secs
There are a few things that can cause the anal gland issue. Here are a few reasons why anal glands do not empty naturally:
- The duct (the tube that connects the gland and to the outside world) may be deformed. This can be due to recurrent infections or your pug may be born with it
- They may have abnormal secretions
- Bad food or not getting good quality food
- If your pug has eaten something unhealthy or can’t be digested on their own.
- They may have underlying allergies
- Sometimes it can occur due to fluctuations in eating timing
- Underlying gastrointestinal issues
What increases your pug’s chances of anal gland problems?
Situations and circumstances that can increase chances and frequency of a pug’s anal glands becoming impacted or infected include:
- Chronic (deep) skin infections with bacteria and/or yeast
- Skin mite infestations (e.g., Demodex, Sarcoptes)
- Food hypersensitivities (“food allergies”)
- Atopic dermatitis (“environmental allergies”)
- Being overweight or obese
- Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels or function)
How to fix pug anal gland issue or pugs sacs
Pugs Anal gland problems are a little more than annoying. As I mentioned, It can lead your pug to a serious health issue.
The best treatment is prevention! If the anal glands aren’t emptying because your pug’s poo is too soft, we need to figure out why. If it’s because your pug has a sensitive stomach, you might need to change the diet.
Natural Problem
Sometimes pug was born with a narrow duct naturally. then surgery may be the option but if the allergy is causing the pug gland duct to narrow then you should take your pug to a vet and a medication course may be the solution to this problem.
Change in Diet
In most of the scenarios, it can be the reason for bad eating habits or less protein, fiber, and minerals diet. so try to change in the pug diet and make the eating time static.
Manually Extraction
If your pug has full anal glands, they will need to be emptied manually by a veterinarian before they become infected. Once there is an infection, it is a lot harder to treat than a simple impaction.
If your pug has an anal gland infection, your veterinarian will most likely suggest emptying the anal glands, if possible, and then infusing antibiotics into the anal glands. If the infection is persistent or the anal glands too difficult to express, your pug may need to go under heavy sedation or even general anesthetic for the glands to be emptied, flushed, and infused with antibiotics.
Surgery to solve pug’s anal gland problem
However, if your pug’s anal gland problem is still there then your vet may recommend surgical removal of the anal glands altogether, also known as anal gland sacculectomy.
Risks in anal gland surgery
There are some risks associated with removing the anal glands surgically. This is because the anal gland region is surrounded by major nerves running internally. However, if performed correctly, the procedure is considered relatively safe with minimal risk. We always recommend a soft tissue specialist to perform this procedure to ensure a successful outcome.
Resolving anal gland issues can take a while, with weekly trips to the vet and lots of bathroom breaks! You’re not alone in this struggle – you have your vet working closely with you, too! Just remember, be calm and take patience your pug will be fine after the treatment and both of you will enjoy each other company.
Recommended Fiber Supplements for Pugs
One easy way to get more fiber into your dog’s diet is to add a few spoonfuls of canned pumpkin to their meals. But make sure you’re just getting a straight pumpkin, not pie mix (which has spices, sugar, and other unnecessary ingredients added).
Psyllium can also be a great fiber supplement to add to your dog’s food to bulk up their stools and potentially keep their anal glands from becoming a problem. Yerba Prima makes a psyllium powder that you can sprinkle onto your dog’s food. Since every dog and situation is different, talk to your veterinarian about the correct amount to add for your dog.
Note that if you get a product make sure that 100% certain that it doesn’t contain the sweetener xylitol. Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs, even at very low doses. And it is NOT an artificial sweetener, so don’t assume it’s safe just because the packaging says “No Artificial Sweeteners.”
About the Author
Hi, I am Sudhanshu Sharma. And I am the writer of this post and a professional blogger and a full-time dog veterinarian, especially for pugs.
