Dog Anal Glands That Constantly Drain

by Linda
(Houston, Texas)

After going to vet yesterday and finding out our Catahoula/Great Dane does not have impacted anal glands, there is still an anal gland fluid that is draining from his rectum area constantly. He does not show any signs of the area itching. He only licks the area to clean it off.

However; the vet must have misunderstood his 'leaking' problem as a 'licking' problem and prescribed Relifor spray twice daily. How would a 'wound cleanser' stop the excessive fluid leaking from his anal area? I'm afraid he will be licking the betamethasone valerate and ingesting enough steroids to cause harm - or is this an insidious way to have him ingest the antibiotic gentamicin sulfate? We already have this in ointment form when he had a skin yeast infection. Could we just smear some of this ointment on the area?

Is there another possible reason for the leakage?


Vet Suggestion on Dog Anal Gland Constant Leaking


Hello Linda,

Without examining your dog, I can’t say with any certainty what might be going on, but some dogs do just seem to have anal glands that are leakier than normal. Veterinarians have had some success treating these individuals by infusing the glands with a mixture of antibiotics and steroids.

Perhaps your veterinarian is trying topical therapy along these lines. As long as you use the Relifor per label directions (Hold the bottle upright about 3 to 6 inches away from your Pet's lesion and completely depress the sprayer head twice. Apply 2 to 4 times daily for 7 days or as directed by your veterinarian) it is very unlikely that he could ingest enough of either of the medications to cause him harm.

If topical treatment and/or anal gland infusions fail to control the problems and all other potential causes (e.g., an infection or tumor) have been ruled out, the troublesome gland can be surgically removed.



Best of luck,

Jennifer Coates, DVM