My dog is straining to poop, has a red anus, and losing fur. Why?

This sounds like her anal sacs are fully and causing the scooting and itching. Even if they look normal on the outside they can be full inside. I recommend your veterinarian express the fluid in the anal sacs and they can see if they are over full or infected. The scooting can cause skin irritation. You can apply a thin coat of Vaseline to soothe the red skin. Yes allergies can cause itching but I would check the anal glands to make sure they are not the problem. Also make sure you are using warm water or something mild to clean the area after pooping. Some chemicals, soaps, and fragrances could cause a skin irritation and itching. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Snowball.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is a little difficult to say exactly what is going on with Daisy - she may have a recital prolapse (a condition where some of the tissue in the rectum actually comes out) or chronic irritation if she is scooting on carpeted areas. Scooting may be related to anal gland impactions, infections, or intestinal parasites. I recommend having Daisy seen by a vet as soon as possible because she is likely uncomfortable and the conditions above require treatment. I hope all is well!

Either is possible - diarrhea can cause irritation and 'itchiness' of the anus and perianal area. Baxter's anal glands could also be full since they are normally emptied during defecation and his stool probably hasn't been bulky enough to express them. If his anal area looks irritated you could apply a thin layer of Vitamin A+D ointment or Petroleum jelly to the area, but if he keeps scooting I'd recommend taking him in to have his glands checked.

I think Max might have a problem with his anal glands, two scent glands located to the sides of the anus that can get impacted and turn into proper abscesses ( localised infection ). I would recommend that you have him checked over as it can be quite uncomfortable ! He will need some antibiotics and pain relief .

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The signs you are describing can be related to your dog's anal glands - these are structures that create lubrication for the feces and can become impacted or infected. You may be seeing redness around the anus because your dog has been scooting or licking/chewing the area. Another cause can be a bacterial or fungal infection. I recommend having your dog seen by a vet as soon as possible, they can perform a rectal exam to determine if there are any anal gland issues. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!

I’m sorry to hear Pompom isn’t feeling well. If she is straining to poop but her stools are soft, it may be that she’s got some colitis (inflammation in her colon). Another concern would be a mass or tumor in her colon. I would recommend that you have your vet examine her. They may recommend a fecal exam, possibly some blood work or X-rays. An abdominal ultrasound (sonogram of the belly) may also help determine what’s going on. Even if you aren’t financially able to approve diagnostics, your vet will probably be able to prescribe some medication to help make her feel better. As far as something soothing for the skin on her bum, I would recommend a wound healing ointment made for dogs, you can likely find at PetCo or another pet store. Another option would be A and D ointment —the brown ointment, NOT the cream as it contains zinc oxide. . DO NOT USE A PRODUCT CONTAINING ZINC OXIDE (often in diaper rash creams). Again, my best recommendation would be to get her in to your vet as soon as you can. Good luck to you and Pompom! She is such a cutie! I hope she’s feeling better soon.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is likely due to an infection of the anal sac or possibly allergies for example. I highly recommend that you have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Best of luck!