Between the main symptoms of inflammation of the anus in dogs and problems related to it, we highlight the following:
- Swelling in the anal and / or perianal area
- Irritated anus
- Itching and scratching against the floor
- Transparent discharge
- Pink or red discharge or bleeding
- Yellow or green discharge
- Lump in the perianal or anal area
- Wounds in the anal area
These are the main signs that something is wrong in this delicate part of a dog’s body, but other symptoms that usually accompany these are nervousness, irritability, fever, more sensitivity when touching the specific area, as well as the tail and the thighs, apathy, etc.
If, according to the symptoms you observe, you believe, or the veterinarian has already confirmed it, that your furry has anal inflammation, pay attention because in the following lines we inform you about the main causes of inflammation of the anus in dogs, that the veterinarian will have to shuffle and do the necessary tests to detect the origin and treat it. Likewise, in each of the causes we explain the possible treatment for swollen anus in dogs:
Swollen or collapsed anal glands
Dogs have glands on both sides of the rectum and anus known as anal glands or anal sacs. These secrete a liquid that helps lubricate the stool and serves as a distinctive scent for each dog. These glands sometimes malfunction, swelling, becoming infected, or collapsing when fluid is held back and thickens. There are dogs that get inflamed or collapsed more easily than others and we can help them by emptying the anal sacs, something we can learn to do at home but it is better that the vet do.
When there are swollen anal glands, swelling in the anus may be noticed. When these glands are obstructed, they can end up appearing anal or perianal fistulas, lumps and abscesses, of course all these conditions include swelling as a symptom. If these possible problems are not taken care of, in a short time an anal infection can occur and become complicated.
If you are wondering “what to do if my dog’s anal glands are inflamed?”, We recommend reading this other oneHOWTO article in which we explain how to clean my dog’s anal glands. On the other hand, if the swelling is severe or there is collapse, it is the veterinarian who should do the treatment; will normally do a cleansing and anti-inflammatory, but if the collapse is serious surgery may be necessary. In the case of an operation, the specialist will most likely prescribe a series of cures, as well as the use of a anal gland ointment in dogs which is antibiotic and will help prevent infection.
Constipation
The difficulty to expel the stool causes the mucous membranes and other tissues of the digestive tract between the intestines to the anus to suffer from overexertion. For this reason, it is very common that in cases of constipation in dogs the anal area and the belly become inflamed. This is especially true in cases of chronic or severe constipation.
Apart from following the treatment for constipation in dogs that the vet gives you, discuss with him the compatibility of this with some of the best Home Remedies for constipation in dogs, like the ones we show you in this other article. Likewise, if you wonder how to cure an irritated anus of a dog, because it is one of the main problems that appear with this condition, we recommend that you follow the advice of the veterinarian, that you regulate the diet of your furry dog and that you apply these same remedies, as well as some type of ointment or moisturizer for dogs.
Perianal fistula
A perianal fistula is an opening or communication that opens between a body cavity, in this case the rectum, and the surface of the skin or the exterior and it is an abnormal tunnel-shaped opening, so it has occurred because something is not right in this area, such as an escape route for secretions. In this area it can be due to abscesses, lumps with fluid, with or without infection, as well as problems in the anal glands although it is not the usual cause. When they suffer it, the dogs try to bite the rear area, turning or chasing their tail, and when they arrive they usually nibble the base of the tail, drag the rear part on the ground and a wound can be observed.
The treatment for a perianal fistula in dogs requires surgery, as well as taking antibiotics after it.
Anal wounds
You may notice, apart from the swelling, an open wound or some scabbing. Injuries in the anal or perianal area of dogs can be caused by excessive scratching, which in turn can happen for various reasons, such as constipation, a blow or a fight. Thus, an injury of this type in this part easily causes inflammation in the anus.
Inside of the treatment of anal and perianal wounds in dogs They include cures with saline and iodine, the use of antibiotics in ointment, cream, pills or injection, and even anti-inflammatories, depending on the case.
Trauma
If a while before you see your furry this swelling has hit at this point, it is easy that at least for a while longer it has inflammation. It may have been done if he has been running a lot and jumping, if he has fallen from somewhere not too high or if he has been hit in some way, for example during a fight with another dog. Any trauma, no matter how slight, to any part of the body can cause inflammation, redness, itching and bruising, as well as localized and more intense pain when the area is touched.
The treatment for trauma to the anal area of dogs It is the use of anti-inflammatories, analgesics and rest, surgery being possible depending on the case as well as antibiotics, especially if there is a wound.
Intestinal parasites
Internal parasites, specifically the intestinal ones, produce symptoms such as constant itching in the anal part, which causes the dog to be constantly trying to nibble on the area and dragging the anus on the ground to alleviate the bad feeling. This, in turn, can lead to inflammation, wounds and secondary infections, mainly bacterial. Other clear symptoms of intestinal parasites in dogs are weight loss even if the animal eats normal and worms and eggs of these in the stool, as well as diarrhea and even blood in the stool.
The treatment for intestinal parasites in dogs It is the internal deworming with antiparasitic drugs in the dose indicated by the veterinarian.
Rectal prolapse
If, in addition to the swelling, you are wondering “why does my dog have a red anus?”, It may simply be an irritation from scratching a lot. However, if you see your dog’s anus inflamed, red and you can see it larger or with a lump, another quite likely possibility of these symptoms is rectal prolapse. This means that the animal’s rectum has come out through the anal orifice and a part has remained outside the body, so the mucosa looks reddish, there may even be blood, a lump that is the rectum itself displaced and inflammation is observed. The main cause of this problem is severe constipation.
The treatment of rectal prolapse in dogs It is always a surgery, more or less complex depending on the case but it is always necessary.
Anal infection
The inflammation of the anal area of a dog can be due to an infection, both in the internal area, near the sphincter and rectum, and in the external area, that is, in the anal orifice and the perianal area. These infections are usually bacterial, but they can also be fungal. The main causes are: wounds, fistulas, abscesses, parasites, prolapse and in the case of collapsed anal glands if left untreated.
The treating an anal infection in dogs It is based on antibiotics, but the main cause must also be treated so that the infection does not recur.
Next, we explain the Most common causes of a dog having a swollen anus next to other symptoms more specific that usually accompany this swelling.
