Your dog has two anal sacs or scent glands. The anal sacs are small, round glands located just under your dog’s skin next to the anus. The anal sacs emit a small amount of liquid which is usually brown or grey and has strong foul odor. This liquid is used by your dog for communication purposes. When your dog defecates or when your dog is very frightened, a small amount of this liquid is expelled.

An abscessed anal sac is caused by an infection inside your dog’s anal sac or sacs. The sac becomes swollen and then ruptures which causes a draining tract to form by the anus. This wound is usually at the positions of 5 o’clock or 7 o’clock around the anus. Anal sac abscess will be painful to your dog.

Symptoms including licking the rear end and scooting. Because of the pain associated with this condition, your dog may also whine and be hesitant to defecate.

Being prone to anal sac impactions and allergies tend to increase your dog’s chances of getting an abscessed anal sac.