To the left and right of the anus, dogs have two anal sacs, which contain the anal glands. The foul-smelling secretion produced by these glands is collected in the anal sacs and serves as the dog's individual scent mark, which is released with each bowel movement. Inflammation of the anal sacs can be very unpleasant and painful for dogs.
In cases of diarrhea or very soft stools, the anal sacs cannot empty properly, causing the remaining secretions to thicken and block the narrow ducts. External factors such as fecal crusts or scarring can also lead to a blockage of the ducts. The overfilled anal sacs are visible and palpable on both sides of the anus. If the blockage does not clear, bacteria can enter and cause inflammation and further swelling. Anal sac inflammation can affect any dog, with small breeds being particularly susceptible.
The dog owner usually first notices increased licking around the anus, which can cause the skin around the anus to become inflamed. Due to the itching, dogs slide around on their rear ends while sitting, which is also known as "sledding." Affected dogs no longer like to sit down because of the pain and show increased straining and vocalization when defecating.
If you notice one or more of these symptoms in your dog, you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. The sooner you react, the faster your pet can be helped. If left untreated, anal sac inflammation can develop into an abscess and break through the outside of the anus, which is known as an anal sac fistula. A foul-smelling, bloody, purulent fluid flows from the fistula opening.
The veterinarian can usually make a diagnosis very quickly based on your preliminary report and a clinical examination at the practice. They will identify and feel the enlarged anal sac and assess the consistency of the anal secretion. As worm infestation or other skin diseases can cause similar symptoms, these conditions should be ruled out during the examination.
If the anal sacs are simply blocked, it may be sufficient for the vet to carefully empty the solid, sometimes grainy contents manually. If there is already inflammation, an abscess or a fistula, it is advisable to rinse the anal sacs with an antibacterial solution and repeat this daily for a certain period of time. In severe cases, it may also be necessary to administer antibiotics.
In some animals, the anal sacs become inflamed again and again despite treatment or do not heal properly. In the case of such chronic inflammation, surgical removal of the anal sacs is necessary. However, this can only be done once the inflammation has subsided. Please always discuss the exact treatment plan with your veterinarian on a case-by-case basis.
If anal sac inflammation is treated promptly and consistently, the prognosis for recovery is good.
If your dog is prone to anal sac inflammation, you should take them to the vet for regular check-ups. If their stool is consistently too soft, changing their diet can help prevent anal sac blockage and possible inflammation.
Your veterinarian will always check the anal region during all other preventive care or vaccination appointments so that any changes can be detected in good time.
You've probably heard of it, and if you see a horse with long, curly fur, irregular fat deposits, weakness, and possibly even laminitis, you immediately think: That must be Cushing's! But it's not quite that simple, because Cushing's has very different symptoms and the diagnosis should not be made hastily.
A cat can have kittens twice a year. Unfortunately, unneutered stray and outdoor cats are often pregnant, resulting in too many "unwanted" cats being born. In some areas, cats that appear to be homeless are caught and taken to the local animal shelter, where they are neutered by a veterinarian. However, if the birth was planned and takes place in a safe environment, it can be a wonderful experience for both the mother cat and her kittens.
Coccidiosis, caused by parasites, is a common disease in rabbits. A distinction is made between liver coccidiosis and intestinal coccidiosis. Young, stressed, or weakened animals are particularly at risk.
Ataxia is Greek and means "disorder." The term actually describes quite well what ataxia is all about. It is a disorder of the horse's normal movement and posture that is caused by damage to the central nervous system. Ataxia is therefore not lameness!
This condition, also known as "cold tail," has been known for some time but remains largely unexplored. It occurs mainly in the summer months, is characterized by a distinctive tail posture, and is very painful.
This disease, which has only been known for a few years and is feared by warmblood breeders, is a hereditary genetic defect that leads to connective tissue weakness in newborn foals. It is estimated that WFFS has existed for 170 years and affects approximately nine to eleven percent of all warmbloods.
Birds such as budgies, beos, and parrots can not only learn to talk, they are also capable of performing small tasks. With enough patience and a few training tricks, humans and birds can have a lot of fun together. And the results are often impressive!
Inflammation of the testicles and epididymis, which usually occur together and are medically referred to as orchitis and epididymitis, are rare but can lead to reduced or even complete infertility in stallions.
Leptospirosis is a contagious infectious disease of dogs that is widespread worldwide and can also be transmitted to humans, which is why it is also referred to as a zoonosis. This bacterial disease was first discovered in dogs in 1852. Almost half a century later, it was observed at a dog show in Stuttgart, which is why it was initially called Stuttgart dog disease. In Germany, leptospirosis is a notifiable animal disease.
Both dogs and cats can have allergic reactions to certain ingredients in their food. This causes the immune system to overreact to certain ingredients in the food. Between 1 and 5% of all allergic skin diseases in dogs are caused by food allergies. Animals of all breeds and ages are affected. As in humans, an increase in allergies can also be observed in dogs and cats.
One topic that many horse owners don't like to think about is that horses need to be transported from time to time. It is important to be prepared for this and to actually practice loading and transporting your horse in advance. Because when it suddenly comes to "putting the horse in the horse trailer," some animals can be more stubborn than expected. Loading and transporting horses causes a certain amount of stress for them. Even the most experienced horses, who travel to competitions every weekend, will show some signs of tension. But transport is a matter of practice; the more we make it a routine, the easier it becomes for the horse. To get a horse from A to B, it goes without saying that the towing vehicle and horse trailer must be compatible and that the technical requirements must be met. It is also very important to carry the horse's equine passport with you.
This disease is a mostly congenital vascular malformation of the liver that was first described in 1949. The "shunt" is a connecting vessel that directs blood from the body's circulation past the liver directly into the main vein and thus unfiltered to the heart. The liver's inability to detoxify the blood leads to gradual internal poisoning of the animal.
