My dog is in pain and yelps when I touch his rear. Is it anal glands?

This is a sign of pain/discomfort which commonly can be commonly due to anal glands problems (inflammation/impaction for example), or to hip or spinal pain. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Unfortunately without more clinical informations it is going to be difficult to give you more specific advices. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.

Your dog may have infected or impacted anal glands. This certainly would explain the discomfort and foul smell. I recommend getting him seen by your vet as soon as possible to have them checked to make sure that is indeed what is going on, expressed and maybe put on antibiotics to help him heal faster.

Your pup could have impacted anal sacs, intestinal worms, back pain, or hip pain among other causes leading to these symptoms. He does sound very uncomfortable based on your description, and based on that, I would have him seen by an ER vet or find a vet on call to see him right away. The vet can diagnose what is causing his symptoms, and can treat him for them.

This sounds like Riley may be in pain on his hind end. He may have an anal sac problem such as an anal sac impaction or infection or abscess. Another problem could be that his hips are hurting, a sprain or other trauma to his hind end. I suggest you take him to a veterinarian for an exam. An anal sac problem (which is very painful) can be easily treated, whereas a musculo-skeletal problem may need x-rays to determine the condition and treatment.

Your pet may have an inflamed or infected [anal gland](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/conditions-of-the-anal-glands). [Impacted or abscessed anal glands](https://www.petcoach.co/article/anal-glands-sacs-impactions-infections-abscesses-in-dogs) are very painful and makes it difficult to defecate or even move. Without treatment, an impacted gland may abscess and rupture, causing a open wound on your pet's rear that will require wound care, antibiotics and pain relief. I recommend getting your pet seen by your vet. He or she will express (empty) the anal glands, clean her up and possibly start her on antibiotics and pain medication if indicated. You can ask to be shown how to express the anal glands yourself at home so you can avoid impaction or infection in the future. Increased dietary fiber or supplements, such as [Glandex](), may help prevent anal gland issues as well.

I recommend bringing him to your vet ASAP to have his anal glands expressed. Full anal gland can be extremely uncomfortable or even painful for dogs and can even lead to perianal fistula (ruptured anal glands) if not expressed in a timely fashion. Many vets hospitals will do anal gland expressions without charging an office visit/exam fee. However if the anal glands are not full, a full exam by your veterinarian to determine if there is any obvious lesion in either Gunner’s perianal region or musculoskeletal pain would be helpful.

Your dog could be looking back at his behind because there is something there causing him pain. Milo could have an anal gland impaction or rupture causing him pain, he could be very constipated, or he could have painful gas. I recommend taking him into the vet in the morning to diagnose why is causing him to act this way, and to receive the correct treatment for it. If his anal sacs are impacted, he will need them expressed. If they have abscessed or ruptured, the area will need to be cleaned and he will need antibiotics. Best of luck, I hope this helps!