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Why is my puppy crying, scooting, and having painful liquid poop?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 2 months and 11 days old | 11 lbs

My puppy is 15 weeks old. He is squirting dime size liquid poop. He is crying an whining when trying to poop. He is in pain when trying to poop. He is licking his butt an scooting across ground. What could be wrong?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on September 21st, 2017

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Teddy!

First I recommend checking the skin and hair around his anus. See if there is fur and poop matted there and see if the skin is red and inflammed. If there is matted fur wash him.

If he isn't matted or the skin is red I recommend he see your Vet today. They can address the skin and check to see if his anal glands need to be emptied. Full or impacted anal glands can cause scooting.

Causesof diarrhea in puppies: intestinal parasites, viral or bacterial infections, dietary indiscretion, food sensitivity or toxin ingestion.

Bring a stool sample to your appointment. After the exam they may prescribe an antibiotic and/or a probiotic. If his skin is irriated they may prescribe a topical to apply.

I hope this helps. Good luck and I hope Teddy is back to himself soon!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on June 17th, 2018
Poor Tank! It could be something with his anal sacs, as they could be impacted and/or infected. I would call a vet in the morning to make an appointment for him. The vet can examine his anal sacs and treat as needed. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Karly Macon, DVM, MS, CVA Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Veterinarian
Published on July 21st, 2017
To know if he has worms, you need to take a fecal sample to your vet for tests to be run. Then you can get some dewormer. This could be causing the scooting, or he could have problems with his anal glands, or starting to have diarrhea. He might have eaten something that upset his stomach and intestines, leading to the bloody stool. The best plan is to take him in for an exam so your vet can get him on proper medications to stop the bloody stool and heal the open sore on his side.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 15th, 2018
This does indeed sound like an anal gland problem. Impacted anal glands are very hard to express naturally as he would need to have a very voluminous and hard "sausage" and it would probably hurt as well. Of course there is also a chance that he manage to express some of the content. However, I do suggest you have your veterinarian examine Bugsy's anal sacs and glands and make sure they are not impacted and not infected.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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