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ANAL SAC REMOVAL IN A DOG

Often called ANAL GLANDS or ANAL SACS, these mysterious little anatomical wonders are really sacs or pockets... not glands.  Dogs and cats have these little pockets situated deep under the skin just beneath the anal sphincter muscles encircling the anus.  They aren't of much use other than imparting a truly phenomenal odor when the semi-liquid contents are expelled, hopefully outdoors when the pet has a bowel movement.  If the anal sac contents are deposited somewhere in your house...you'll know.  These glands (sacs) are similar to the scent glands of a skunk and the odor can really pack a whollop.  Most dogs and cats never have any problem with the anal sacs unless they become infected or the small channel leading from the sac to the rim of the anus becomes obstructed.

The inner lining of the anal sacs are continually secreting a semi-liquid material; so if the duct that leads from the sac to the outside becomes obstructed or is naturally very narrow, the material continues to build up within the sac.  This increase of pressure causes the dog or cat to lick the area, or commonly we will see the pet scoot along the ground (carpet!). The dog or cat can feel the pressure within the anal sacs and it can become very uncomfortable.  Your veterinarian may have to manually express the anal sacs to relieve the pressure. Often, these sacs will become infected and even swell into an abscess.  These cases will need some surgery to drain the abscess. In chronic problems the anal sacs are surgically removed... often resulting in a happier existence for the pet and its owners.

Below are some photos of an actual surgical procedure to remove anal sacs from a dog.  The surgeon needs to be careful of two major potential problems;
1.)  Trauma to the anal sphincter muscle... if too much damage occurs there is the potential for poor sphincter tone.  The anus may not be able to retain stool and a fecal incontinence may develop.
2.)  Not removing the entire sac... if even a tiny amount of anal sac tissue remains in the surgical site it has the potential to continue secreting anal sac fluid.  This will build up in the surgical site and result in an abscess and possibly a persistent draining tract leading from the sac remnant to the skin surface.  This is called a fistula.  The surgeon will have to enter the non healing area and find the tag of anal sac tissue and remove it for a successful outcome to be achieved.

ANAL SAC REMOVAL IN A DOG Click on an image to see it full size in a new window
The lower forceps is pointing to the opening of the anal sac to the inside rim of the anus.	The forceps is inserted down the anal sac duct into the anal sac.	An incision is made over the anal sac but not into it.	Gently, the tissues over and around the sac are dissected away from the sac.	A larger forceps is inserted so that one forceps blade is in the sac and one outside so that the entire sac can be grasped.
Careful dissection is done to separate the connective tissue and muscle away from the sac.	Gently retracting the sac it is pulled away from the dissection area.	Here the sac, in it's entirety, is inspected to be certain that no remnants or tags are left in the incision.	The surgical opening is seen to the right of the anus just prior to suturing the incision closed.	Both anal sacs have been removed and buried sutures keep the incisions closed for rapid healing.

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