Why Does Your Dog Scoot?

Have you ever noticed your dog scooting their butt on the ground?

Scooting is a very common problem, and it’s one that can occur in any breed. However, even though scooting is a common problem, it’s still a problem. And in order to solve this problem that your dog is experiencing, you need to first identify what is causing the irritation. There are many things that could trigger your dog to start scooting, but the most common is a problem with their anal sacs.

What are anal sacs?

Regardless of how undignified it may seem to us, dogs often communicate with their back ends, and they do this through the anal sacs. The anal sacs secrete an oily substance that was once essential for canine survival and is unique to every dog. It is thought that the substance secreted by the anal glands was used to mark and defend boundaries, and the remnants of that can still be seen today when dogs sniff each other’s butts.

Although the anal sacs may have been important from an evolutionary standpoint, they can become clogged and impacted with that fatty substance they secrete. This can lead to a lot of itching and discomfort for your dog, and to ease it, they will scoot their butt on the ground. A few other signs that your dog may have an impacted anal sac include licking or chewing the area, trouble defecating and swelling around the area.

What should you do if you think your dog may have an anal sac problem?

In order to relieve the obstruction, the anal sac needs to be expressed. This can be done by your veterinarian or groomer, or if you know how, you can do it yourself. But most dog moms and dads prefer to leave this up to the professionals, and we don’t blame you.

Here are a few other things your veterinarian might suggest:

• Antibiotics
• Increasing fiber in diet
• Hot compress
• Flushing or lancing the anal sac under anesthetic

If you leave the problem untreated for too long, the impacted sacs could eventually burst open, which can be very painful for your dog and not at all fun for you to clean up. Also, if it seems like your dog is always scooting due to an impacted anal sac, then you should talk to your veterinarian about your options. In extreme cases, it might be necessary to surgically remove anal sacs that become chronically impacted.

Anal sac problems aren’t the only thing that causes scooting.

Although an anal sac problem is the most likely reason your dog is scooting, it’s not the only possible reason. In our next blog, we’ll be going over a few other things that can cause your dog to scoot, so please make sure to stay tuned to learn more.

In the meantime, if your dog is scooting, don’t put off getting the treatment they need. Help them find relief by scheduling your appointment with our veterinarian at East Meadow Veterinary Center. We proudly serve South Bellmore and the surrounding areas.

Have you ever noticed your dog scooting their butt on the ground?

If so, you’re not alone. This is a very common problem, and in most cases, the cause is an impacted anal sac, which you can learn more about by reading Part 1 of this blog series. However, impacted anal sacs aren’t the only reason dogs scoot, and in order to help your dog find relief, it’s important that you identify what is causing the problem. Here are a few other problems that could be causing your dog to scoot:

#1. Fecal Contamination

If dogs could talk, they would probably tell us that it’s not always easy to have so much hair on their butts. After a bad bout of diarrhea, your dog is probably going to feel weak and dehydrated, and they will most likely have a matted, messy back side. This is called fecal contamination, and if it’s not taken care of in a timely manner, it can lead to an infection. However, as long as infection hasn’t occurred yet, you can correct the problem on your own by cutting away the dirty hair and cleaning the area using warm water.

#2. Rectal Prolapse

Rectal prolapse occurs when part of the rectum, which is the portion of the large intestine closest to the anus, protrudes through the anus. This can occur from straining due to constipation, or after a case of severe diarrhea. If your dog has rectal prolapse, there will likely be a mass that is long and cylindrical poking out of your dog’s anus, and if you see this, it’s essential to call your veterinarian right away. Your veterinarian can replace the prolapse, which is then typically followed by one of the following treatments:

• Stool softeners to prevent your dog from straining.
• Partially stitching the anus closed to prevent the rectum from prolapsing again.
• Surgery may be required if the prolapse repair is necessary.

#3. Tapeworms

Dogs can get tapeworms if they swallow a flea that is infested with it. Scooting is a common sign of tapeworms, and if you notice that your dog is scooting, visually inspect their rear end for signs of small, white worms. These worms often look like tiny grains of rice, and they might or might not be moving around. Luckily, tapeworms are easily treated using either injectable or oral medication. But in order to prevent tapeworms from coming back, you’ll need to control the fleas, which is done with topical or oral medications.

If your dog has been scooting, don’t put off getting treatment.

Whatever the reason why your dog is scooting, you shouldn’t make them wait any longer than necessary to get treatment. Scooting is a sign that your dog is irritated or in pain, and no doggy mom or dad wants their furry friend to be uncomfortable longer than they have to. If your dog has been scooting, schedule your appointment with East Meadow Veterinary Center. Although we are located in East Meadow, we proudly serve the surrounding areas, including Levittown. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.