Burst Anal Sac Abscess
Anal sacs or anal glands can cause such a variety of problems.
This is Molly. She is a 5 year old Beaglier. She woke up one morning and her bottom was bleeding. She had a common but very painful problem called an anal sac abscess.
Anal sacs are little sacs lying just under the skin either side of the anus. They contain a strong smelling secretion that has a yucky fishy smell.
Molly’s left anal sac had become inflamed and swollen. As it swelled up it filled with pus. Instead of leaking out of the sac, the duct to the outside world becomes swollen shut. This is very painful like a boil. Eventually the sac burst through the skin.
Molly was seen at PAH and Dr Jill could see that the anal sac was swollen and burst. Molly’s bottom was clipped and her anal sacs were examined digitally. The normal right gland was emptied. It contained about 1 ml of this black paste. The swollen left gland would not express through the duct and black paste and pus came out of the hole in the skin. Yuck!
If the sac remains swollen it will continue draining out of the skin.
Molly was placed on some antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. This made her feel better and also decreased the swelling of the sac and duct.
When rechecked 3 days later, the area was much less swollen and the duct was open. The anal sac was able to be expressed on both sides.
The area will need to be monitored over the next few months to try to keep the left sac empty and the duct open. Without careful care, anal sacs can rupture numerous times and create a chronic, painful infection.
Most anal sac abscesses can be medically managed. If this is not possible, sometimes the sacs need to be flushed under anaesthetic. In severe cases the glands will need to be removed surgically.
