Any time your dog’s rear end feels itchy or uncomfortable, he may scoot his bottom across the floor—even in front of a houseful of dinner guests. An occasional scoot is normal, but frequent scooting or obvious discomfort indicates a problem.
Causes
Full or impacted anal sacs are a common cause of scooting. Dogs have two small sacs located at the 5 o’clock and 7 o’clock positions on the anus. The walls of the anal sacs contain glands that secrete a thin, smelly substance that’s squeezed out, or expressed, during defecation to mark the feces and identify the dog. If the sacs don’t empty properly or if the secretions become too thick, the anal sacs become impacted—and uncomfortable.
Tapeworms and other intestinal parasites also can make your dog scoot.
What you can do at home
If you suspect your dog’s anal sacs are full, take him to the veterinarian. The doctor will empty them—and if you’re game, teach you how to take care of this stinky chore.
When to call the veterinarian
Take your dog to the veterinarian for frequent scooting that you can’t relieve by emptying the anal sacs. Impacted anal sacs can cause infection and abscess, so don’t wait too long. If you see tapeworms (tiny white segments that resemble rice) in your dog’s stool or around his anus, bring a stool sample to your veterinarian for a fecal exam.
What your veterinarian will do
Your veterinarian will empty the anal glands and treat any infection. He or she also will treat any intestinal parasitic infections. Since tapeworms usually come from fleas, your veterinarian may recommend a flea-control program, too.
Most of us would rather forget we ever saw our dog’s embarrassing behavior, but delaying treatment will only make matters worse—so take care of your pet’s pressing problem before he performs an encore.
