My dog's anal gland abscess is swollen, no poop, no pain meds. Worried?

Poor smith. I would recommend taking him to a veterinarian to have the glands examined. A warm compress is a great idea but if they are infected smith will need antibiotics to help the swelling resolve. If infected anal glands are not addressed they can ruptured. Also sometimes based on the age of smith. Inflamed gland could be secondary to a mass, recital or prostate issue hope that helps

Ouch! Poor Oscar! It is good you have an appointment with your vet. This may require oral medications for pain and infection and they will want to do a thorough exam to see if the anal glands are the underlying problem. Until then I would keep applying the triple antibiotic ointment at least twice a day. You could also apply some hydrocortisone to the area to help with the swelling and irritation. If the anal glands are full, adding fiber to the diet can help bulk up the stool and express them naturally. I recommend canned pumpkin puree (not the pie filling) at each meal. I hope this helps and that Oscar gets feeling better soon. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

I do recommend bringing him to a vet for a recheck and expression of the anal glands and a reflushing if the anal glands with dilute chlorhexidine solution if they appear to still be oozy. It is unusual, if the anal gland were expressed the first time, for there to be a second fistula within 2 weeks. I also recommend placing an e-collar for a week while Barney is on antibiotics and pain meds as well as a topical prescription steroid/antibiotic/antifungal ointment such as dermavet/quadritops etc. that often speeds up healing of the fistula. With topical as well as oral antibiotics on emptied/flushed anal glands, fistula usually heal within a week. Good luck!

Hello. Most anal gland infections heal up quite nicely with medications & keeping the area clean. Unless there is a special circumstance involving Tia's glands, such as the area is just not healing, additional flushing & treatment is usually not necessary. See how she does after a week on antibiotics & if she is doing well, just continue the antibiotics. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

This can be painful and messy so I recommend using a hot compress on the area several times a day to keep it clean and draining. Then I apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on the surface. As Milo will lick the area using a cone or restraint collar to prevent licking will help it heal faster. Once the sac has ruptured it usually will heal quickly on its own. Continue the antibiotics until they are finished. To prevent this from happening again I would have Milo's anal sacs expressed regularly, every two to three months. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Milo.

It could be an [anal gland abscess](https://www.petcoach.co/article/anal-glands-sacs-impactions-infections-abscesses-in-dogs). This occurs when the anal glands do not fully empty during the act of defecation resulting in inflammation, impaction and infection. Have her examined by your veterinarian for confirmation and treatment. This may include sedation followed by lancing, draining and flushing the abscess. Antibiotics and pain management will likely be indicated. Topical treatment may not be sufficient. An e-collar (cone) can be used to prevent licking until she sees the doctor. Afterwards, you can have her glands expressed (emptied) regularly and add additional [fiber](https://www.petcoach.co/article/high-fiber-diets-anal-gland-disease-in-dogs/) to her diet to[ prevent recurrence](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-prevent-impacted-dog-anal-glands).

I usually send home Simplicef for anal gland fistula but Clavamox at an appropriate dose for Lily’s weight would definitely help, especially if you are not able to bring her to the vet right away. It is important to fully express both the ruptured anal gland and the other anal gland to prevent a second fistula on the other side. Ideally the ruptured anal gland should be flushed with a dilute chlorhexidine solution but a sitz is definitely better than not cleaning out the ruptured gland at all. I usually send home an e-collar to prevent licking, antibiotics, a probiotic to prevent antibiotic associated diarrhea, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory for pain such as Rimadyl, and a topical prescription steroid/antibiotic/antifungal ointment to speed up the healing process. Good luck!