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My dog still stinks after anal gland expression & antibiotics, why?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pit Bull Terrier | Male | neutered | 89 lbs

My pet has anal sac disease. He got his anal glands expressed and is on antibiotics. Its been a week and a half and he still stinks horribly. I wipe his butt many times a day and he still stinks.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 15th, 2016

If Mavrick's anus is still smelling terribly after a week and a half, I would take him back into the vet. It could be that the antibiotics are not working, and a different treatment may need to be tried. I would take him back into the vet tomorrow morning.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
Published on January 2nd, 2020
Hi there. It's not normal for the glands to fill up again after just a few days, so without being able to examine him in person, I'm not sure why he would be smelly again. Antibiotics or other meds will only be helpful if there is an infection present - you can call and ask your veterinarian for clarification about this if it wasn't clear at your visit.

Some dogs with chronically irritated or leaky anal glands will respond well to a high-fiber diet, or to a prescription hypoallergenic food like Purina HA or Hills z/d. Otherwise, the only real option to permanently resolve the problem is having the anal glands surgically removed.

I'm not sure what the anesthetic procedure would be that you're referring to (unless it's surgery to remove the glands), so you might ask your veterinarian to clarify this for you as well.
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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