Gus is an 8 year old neutered German Shorthaired Pointer. He presented to us for scooting his rear and licking excessively.
When a rectal exam was performed, we found that one gland was enlarged and full of blood-tinged anal gland fluid. This can happen when the gland is infected or when it is impacted and unable to express itself for a time. This gland is thought to be important for scent-marking bowel movements in wild animals. Some breeds are prone to anal gland dysfunction like pugs and bulldogs. They are unable to express the glands on their own with normal defecation. For this reason, veterinarians and groomers will express these glands when the dogs are showing signs of discomfort. Sometimes a tumor can be responsible for the gland’s malfunction. Once in a while, a gland can become impacted and rupture. In these cases, there will be a wound to the left or right of the rectum that bleeds or leaks pus.
Gus is not a breed prone to dysfunction and it appears he had an infection. We treated him with antibiotics and NSAIDs to decrease the swelling and pain and expressed his glands regularly while they healed. We will monitor the gland to ensure no masses are growing that might indicate a tumor.