1. How to treat an anal gland abcess in the dog.
How to treat an anal gland abscess in the dog? Well, first you have to be fairly sure of the diagnosis. Luckily anal gland abscesses are very obvious and they can often be diagnosed by appearance alone. And also because unlike tumors, they will appear to spring up very quickly, say over the course of a day or so. There is normally a swelling that can arise at either side of the anus. This will grow in size until it bursts and then you will see a bloody or pus discharge.
2. What causes anal gland abscesses in the dog?
What is the cause of anal gland abscesses in the dog? : Well, infected anal glands can occur as a consequence of obstructed or impacted anal glands. But it is also possible that bacteria can make their way into the glands through the ducts and infections can occur in that way. In theory, blood-borne infections would be also possible but this route would be very rare indeed. Luckily despite its often dramatic appearance, this is often a very trivial and easily cleared up condition.
3. How are anal gland abscesses in the dog treated?
How are anal gland abscesses in the dog treated? : Your vet will normally lance the abscess if it has not already burst and then put your dog on a course of antibiotics. Your vet also may suggest that you should flush out the open abscess with warm salt water or the likes of Betadine for a few days at the same time. Usually, these measures are enough.
Very occasionally this may become a recurrent condition and then minor surgery may be needed to debride and clear out the gland and pack it with antibiotic gel. Beyond that surgical removal of chronically infected anal glands may be required but this is very much your very the last option.
4. Home treatment of anal gland abscesses in the dog.
Are there home remedies possible for anal gland abscesses? : Well, I have known owners independently treat this condition on a home remedy basis in the following way and then report success: If the abscess has already burst { As it most likely will do in time anyway } then applying a poultice to the area with warm salt water for at least five minutes three times a day for say three or four days can be very effective. An easy way to do this is to soak pads of kitchen paper in warm salt water and hold them against the area. You may need to change them three or four times to hold the heat.
Then apply the likes of Neosporin directly into any open area. In countries where Neosporin is not available use dilute 1:4 Betadine solution or Chlorhexidine spray into any open areas. Most human antiseptic ointments will also be suitable.
Of course, if simple home remedies do not resolve the situation then you should get your vet involved as in some cases a course of antibiotics will be required to resolve the situation.
5. More information.
You can find more information on anal gland disease in dogs via this link: LINK