The anal sacs are glands that are found close to the anus of the dog. These glands are responsible for producing fluids that are typically secreted during the process of feces. The fluids have a strong odor and are straw-colored with brown specks in most cases.
Inflammatory response, infection, obstruction, rupture, and tumors are just some of the common issues that can arise with anal sacs.
Furthermore, abdominal lymph nodes are vulnerable to the spread of tumors that originate in the anal sacs. Anal gland issues that are severe or persistent may be managed by removing either one or both of the glands.
But how do you do it? What’s the procedure for removing the affected anal gland? And how much does dog anus gland removal cost?
One of the surgeries that involve removing anal glands is one in which the use of a laser helps significantly reduce the amount of bleeding that occurs and speeds up the process of removing the glands.
Other options include conventional open surgery, which is not considered the best option nowadays.
The anal sacculectomy is a sensitive technique that can only be conducted by a veterinarian, which means that the projected cost of this procedure is likely to be anywhere between $1,200 and $2,200.
The fee will be adjusted based on the degree of difficulty of the extraction as well as the length of time that your pet will need to be hospitalized.
What exactly is an anal sacculectomy?
The surgical elimination of a dog’s anal glands is scientifically referred to as an anal sacculectomy. A dog’s anal glands are activated when it excretes/does feces in order to mark its territory.
When a dog excretes, the major muscles in its lower digestive tract contract, which triggers the anal glands to discharge their contents—a bad-smelling dense substance that is unique to every dog.
Dogs that have an anal glands obstruction, infection, or swelling, on the other hand, are unable to emit this material and frequently require the assistance of a veterinarian.
If these issues cannot be remedied via the use of medicinal treatment, the veterinarian will have to eliminate the anal sacs.
How can you tell if your pup is having difficulties with its anal glands?
Keep an eye out for these warning signs:
Tail Chasing:
Many canines may pursue their tails in an attempt to reach an irritated location, such as in the case of anal sacs issue. It should be kept in mind that tail chasing is also a potential issue behavior.
Scooting:
It is a movement in which your pet will sit on its butt and move along the ground by dragging its behind. (one of the main signs of anal gland expression or obstruction of dog anal gland)
Cry out:
This may happen if you go to touch your dog’s anus/tail, or if you pat them from behind, and they cry out in discomfort/pain, or it can occasionally be noticed while your pet is defecating. It can sometimes also happen if you touch your dog’s rear paw.
Licking Excessively:
Your dog will be continuously licking its bottom region (dog’s anus) and may even end up leaving licking stains, which discolor the fur/hair around the affected area. However, it may not be easy to tell in darker-haired breeds.
If you believe that your dog is exhibiting any of the symptoms described above, then you should book an appointment with your pet vet as soon as possible for a comprehensive evaluation.
The procedure of removing anal sac glands
The patient (dog) will be asleep during the whole surgical procedure. The surgical removal of the anal gland is referred to as an anal sacculectomy.
To begin, both of the anal sacs are manually expressed so that they may be drained (remove anal gland secretions). After that, a polymer is injected into the anal glands via the duct, and once it reaches the glands, the polymer hardens into a rubbery consistency.
In this anal gland surgery, the skin area next to the anus is prepped, and then two incisions are made above the anal glands. There is a tight connection between the anal gland and both the exterior and the internal anal sphincter.
It is necessary to do a very delicate dissection in order to remove it from the sphincter muscles. After that, the duct is sealed off to avoid any leaking from the large intestine/colon into the tissues that are around it, and the gland is taken out. Then the incision in the skin is sutured closed. After that, your pet companion will receive an injection of pain medication and antibiotics immediately.
The needed pre and post-surgical exams, as well as intraoperative and postoperative drugs, are all included in the total cost of the treatment, which can vary anywhere from $1,600 to $2,100 depending on the patient’s weight.
Important Note
Remember that the price listed above DOES NOT INCLUDE any further postoperative checks or prescriptions since they are not normally necessary unless the postoperative instructions are disregarded.
What Should You Expect After Having Your Anal Gland Removed?
Following the procedure, you will need to administer anti-inflammatory medications and antibiotics to your dog.
In addition to this, your puppy will have to wear an electronic collar to prevent him from licking the wound while it is healing.
Your dog’s anal glands serve the aim of scent-marking its territory. Because your dog is a domestic pet, having the glands removed will not cause any harm to him. Similar to humans, dogs will use their pee to define their territory.
Potential Complications
Rarely occur after having an anal sac removed; complications might arise. Infection, scooting, irritation of the skin, leakage from the operation site, and swelling are some of the short-term consequences that might occur when an anal sac is removed.
Fecal incontinence, the creation of a fistula, and the formation of stricture are all potential long-term consequences (abnormal narrowing.) A fistula is an irregular conduit linking underlying tissue to the operation site. Fistulas can occur after almost any type of surgical procedure.
In most cases, recurrent illnesses with discharge are caused by an inadequate excision of the anal sac or the duct leading from it. The removal of the remnant tissues may require a second operation.
When the anal muscles/nerves in the region of the anal sac are injured during removal, fecal incontinence may be the outcome. Patients often make a full recovery within 10-12 days, and the prognosis for their long-term health is typically quite positive.
Does it affect a dog when anal glands are expressed?
The operation is frequently uncomfortable for the dog, and the vast majority of canines will howl as soon as you approach the area around their anal sacs. The good news is that it will be over in a short while.
If your dog’s glands do not drain normally or if they get blocked, your veterinarian will be able to express them on your behalf. This is accomplished by applying light pressure on the glands on each side of the anus in order to expel the fluid that is contained within the gland. Also, make sure with your vet that infected glands are removed successfully.
After an anal sac has been removed, would there be visible stitches?
Following the anal sac has been removed, vets will normally bury the skin sutures. This will ensure that there are no apparent stitches after the procedure. In addition to this, the sutures that were buried will eventually fall out on their own. They do not require removal as it is not necessary.
Conclusion
Many dog owners report that their canine companion’s glands become swollen and unpleasant when they are not expressed. Because of this, the dog licked their own anus, which might lead to an infection in that area. They desired to steer clear of that annoyance, so they made the decision to have the glands surgically removed, which usually costs around $1200 to $2200.
The vast majority of the dog’s owners reported that their canine companions did not exhibit any signs of discomfort or problems connected to the administration of the anesthesia throughout the treatment.
