A lot of pet owners think that providing exercise, food, and sheltering an animal is all that is needed to prevent diseases. This assumption is where a lot of people get wrong—having an animal to be as healthy as it can requires diligence and significant help from veterinary specialists.
Pet owners do not know when their pet is sick because the symptoms have not been noticeable. An example of a disease that is hard to observe is anal sac disease in dogs. This disease does have symptoms that are subtle until it gets worse. Being able to understand the effects of this disease could make us think twice about our dog’s health.
What are anal sacs and their functions?
The anal sac of dogs is a crucial part of their identity. These organs are used as a territorial marker and to recognize other dogs. It basically helps in identifying their health, age, and some other information. These anal sacs are used extensively in their lives, and this could lead to some health issues. AEC Memphis can help with health issues.
Anal sacs or anal glands can have conditions that could have serious consequences for your dog. Being able to understand what these health conditions are and what veterinarians can do to help in these situations is an advantage to pet owners. If you are interested in how veterinarians can help with anal sac disease in dogs, here are some items on the veterinary process you should know about;
Signs
There are signs that are associated with anal sac disease. Most of these signs and symptoms are related to their rear end. They may have bouts of scooting, biting, or licking their rear end, and even your dog pooping blood. When these symptoms are present, getting them to a veterinary clinic for emergency veterinary care is strongly recommended.
Diagnosis
There are some factors that could facilitate anal sac disease that helps in the diagnosis of this disease. The factors may include; low dietary fiber, obesity, soft stool, and food or environmental allergies. Once these items are established, the diagnosis could begin. The process of diagnosis from an emergency vet Memphis clinic could require laboratory tests that can rule out parasites and manual physical examination.
Treatment
When the diagnosis of the disease is completed, treatment will be recommended by the veterinarian. One of the most effective treatments that they could offer involves emptying the anal sacs, but for severe cases, flushing may be needed to remove solidified material. This treatment is done with an anesthetic to reduce pain and discomfort and antibiotics to prevent further infection. After this treatment, pet owners should closely observe their pet to see if there are any adverse effects that may need to have the vet aware of.
Conclusion
Our dog has a part of their body that is typically overlooked until the signs and symptoms of a disease get serious; anal sacs. These organs are used by our dogs in their daily routine. This organ is prone to develop disease due to factors that we inadvertently expose them to. Luckily veterinarians are there to diagnose and treat this condition. Getting our dog to a vet when we have observed something strange would be the best course of action.
