Can a Ruptured Anal Gland Kill a Dog?

Question

First of all I want to be clear: We are taking Linus to the vet today. I am just really concerned. He has been acting really bizarre (depressed and hiding) for a few days, and then last night we noticed blood where he had been sitting. Spoke to the vet this morning and confirmed that it is a ruptured anal gland.

It scares me because its like an abscess - which can kill humans, so could this kill a dog?

Also, does it always require surgery?

Answer 1

While abscesses CAN kill humans, in actuality they rarely do.  So I am sure it would be possible for a ruptured anal gland to become so horribly infected that it caused sepsis and killed a dog, your dog would have a better chance of being struck by lightening.  The anal gland would either have to be ruptured and left untreated for a very very long time and your dog living in fairly unsanitary conditions or your dog would have to have a very weakened immune system for death to be a very likely outcome.

As for surgery, that depends on how bad it is.  The cases I've seen at the vet where I work were all treated successfully with antibiotics.  If the rupture is particularly large, or if the gland ruptures frequently then surgery might be the only option.

Answer 2

Let me start by saying that I have never heard of this killing a dog, though I'm not saying it isn't possible, because I just don't know.  But our little Shih Tzu ruptured his a couple of years back, and let me tell you, you KNOW!  We came home from shopping, he seemed normal, then we went to pick him up, and he wimpered when we held his bum area, and then we saw the blood when we looked.  The vet said it was one of the worst cases she saw.  In the days before, he never scooted or licked at the area, but looking back, he was somewhat more quiet and slept more.  Plus when we would pick him up, he would squirm a little bit in our arms.  You Linus should be good, if that's what he's got, with meds and plenty of tlc.  Good luck!

Answer 3

It should be ok when he is put on antibiotics from your vet..shouldn't need surgery...  

Answer 4

No i can't not that iam aware as my one of our dogs have had this & my friends dog has,a trip or two to the vets should clear it, antibiotics are normally needed. Don't worry,you dog will be fine,it just makes them feel a little down! He should be right as rain soon!

Hope this helped, & hope your dog makes a speedy recovery! x*x

Answer 5

It may require surgery, to repair the ruptured sac, and most likely to have a drain put in to allow the fluid & infection an outlet.   The rupture can create infection so he'll probably need to be on antibiotics, and pain medication as well.  He will be fine with treatment.  It is possible that he could have a serious infection if you did not take him in to the vet.

Here's a site with more information , and be prepared, some pictures also.  Good luck.

http://www.allpetsmacomb.com/casesanalgl...

Answer 6

Any type of infection can cause death if  not properly treated.  So like in humans it is possible to die of an abscess but it is not likely