Anal Sacs

The anal sacs (also known as anal glands) rest on either side of the anus in the 4 and 8 o’clock positions. All dogs and cats have these scent glands that normally empty their secretions during defecation. Anal sac disease develops when the sacs cannot empty normally, such as with obesity, skin inflammation from allergies, loose stools/diarrhea, and tumors. Symptoms of anal sac disease (ASD) include scooting, excessive licking, pain, swelling, and/or foul-smelling discharge from the anal sacs.