Having a female dog is bliss, but they require much care and attention as they give birth to cute pups.
And since you have a female dog, you may suddenly notice clear liquid coming from your dog’s bum where she is sitting or lying down, which may worry about the dog’s health.
A clear fluid coming out from a female’s bum is common, but you still need to know what it is and whether it will harm your dog in the future.
This article will provide information regarding the causes of this clear liquid discharge and symptoms and what you should do if you witness this occurrence in your female dogs.
Why is my Dog Leaking Clear Fluid from the Anus?
There are various reasons why your dog is leaking fluid from the anus. But make sure it’s coming from the anus and not the vaginal area, as vaginal discharge can have various reasons for it too.
Fluid secreted from the anal glands of dogs is naturally released by a dog when passing stool.
When the dog’s stool is loose, and pressure is not provided through the glands, the glands won’t empty the secreted fluid naturally, so the liquid starts leaking automatically.
This is known as impacted glands. And this affected gland results in the leakage of a clear fluid from her anus. However, the excreted fluid will not have any noticeable odor or color.
Irritable bowel disorders, food allergies, or intestinal parasites are also some reasons for this health issue.
If your dog leaks from the anus, a veterinarian’s help is always advised; even if it is not a significant concern, a veterinarian will diagnose, and a few doses of antibiotics will solve the issue.
What are Dog Anal Glands?
Anal glands are referred to anal sacs, which are present on both sides of the anus.
When they poop, the anal sacs widen, and the glands release a fluid with a rotten fish-like smell. All dogs release this fluid to mark their territory, sometimes, we can not detect the odor, but other animals do.
This is the reason why dogs sniff the bottom end when they see each other, as anal sacs help in recognizing a dog through the scent.
All dogs, male or female of any breed, have these glands. Other pets, like cats, also have these glands,
These glands usually function and do not pose any threat to health. When you see your dog in discomfort and you cannot figure out what the issue is, you might want to check those glands.
If your dog is showing below mentioned signs, you should head straight to the vet and get it treated.
- Scooting their bum against or along the floor or lawn
- Excessive licking or itching of their rear-end area
- A noticeable fish-like unpleasant odor
- Swelling and redness near the rectum
The vets know how to express those glands manually; they gently and with technique squeeze those glands to empty them. You can also do this, but it will be hard for you to smell the fluid coming out of it, and not to forget, it can be very disgusting.
A veterinarian will not only empty the glands but will also diagnose the root cause of why it happened and if any other concerns are there to be treated. This will also help you be aware of the problem and precautions you should take to stop it from recurring.
Anal glands can be removed and are not something dogs cannot live without.
But that is the worst-case scenario; a veterinarian will provide you with some antibiotics or other medications to help heal the gland if there is any infection, and the dog will get back to the regular routine.
As said earlier, anal glands do not have any significant health risk to your pup, and these glands can be removed for surgical or health reasons.
A good nutrient-balanced diet, ample exercise, and a fit, healthy body weight will keep your dog out of these health issues.
Do Dogs Need to have their Anal Glands Expressed?
Anal sacs naturally work well with dogs, and they do not require a manual expression of their glands. During every bowel movement, these glands empty a small amount of their gland fluid, and this is the main reason the anal sacs do not get full even in their lifetime.
And when this does not happen, or they can not empty it manually or in an ample amount, it leads to glands filling up or impacted glands which then causes problems.
Some specific breeds of dogs are more likely to have problems with anal glands and require the monthly manual expression of anal glands.
Breeds like Chihuahuas, Toy, and Cocker Spaniels are prone to problems with anal glands. However, dogs from all species can be affected by this problem irrespective of their gender.
If a dog has developed anal gland impaction or infection, it is best to get a vet’s help and get their anal glands expressed every 3 to 4 weeks, preventing it from recurring.
How do I Stop my Dog’s Anus from Secreting?
A dog’s anal glands can leak unintentionally when scared, stressed, or worried; when you leave them alone for long hours or hear thunder, they excrete their fluids.
They also excrete during regular bowel movements; as the stool passes the rectum, it pressurizes the anal glands causing them to release fluids.
The basic and easiest way to stop the excretion of your dog through anal glands is by providing them with a highly nutrient-balanced diet and a sufficient amount of exercise on a regular basis.
If your dog is fit and possesses healthy weight and size, then there is no need to get their anal expressed manually, their glands will function normally, and they won’t experience any such health issues.
How do you Tell if a Dog’s Anal Glands are Full?
If your dog’s anal glands are full, you will see a change in their behavior, and they will display discomfort.
Some common signs are:
- If they lick their bum or bottom very often
- If their anal glands are leaking every now and then
- If they are dragging or scooting their butt on the floor
- If they smell fishy from their bottom
- If they stopped wagging their tail
- If they do not like you touching their tail
- If they seem depressed or stressed
- If there are brownish stains where they sat
- If you see them bleeding from the anus, it is a sign that the anal glands are full. When the fluid piles up, it eventually leads to bleeding
This can happen to any dog. You can get a rotten fish-like smell of the fluid excreted from their anus. If this is occasional, it is not of big concern. Hence it can be cured by simple medications.
But if this issue stays for long or this happens more regularly, then your female dog needs to visit a veterinarian and get it treated.
FAQs
No, if done gently and correctly, it should not hurt, but it is always advisable to get the anal expression done through a veterinarian as they may be able to tell you what the root cause was and if something else is a concern.
If your dog has issues with anal glands like impaction or infection, it is advised to get it expressed every 3 to 4 weeks to prevent it from recurring.
Yes, dog diapers are useful in such conditions, as dog dia[pers are specially designed to be used for urinary incontinence.
Conclusion
If your female dog is leaking clear fluid from its back, it is best to get it checked by a veterinarian. Upon reading this full article, you will learn why your dog leaks clear fluid from the anus.
This article will also provide you with information anal glands, what is the need to have anal glands expressed in dogs, and how you stop your dog’s anus from secretion. Always look for the symptoms mentioned above for early detection of any health issues, which will help in early and easy diagnosis.
Till then, take care and happy petting.
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Dr. Lillian is a D.V.M. passionate about promoting awareness of dogs. She shares her expertise through her blogs on canineweekly.com and provides animal care services, including internal medicine, dermatology, and emergency care. Dr. Lillian is committed to contributing to animal welfare.