Impaction from soft stools
Chronic diarrhea or low-fiber diets produce stools too soft to compress the sacs during defecation, allowing secretions to thicken and block ducts.
Dog Condition
Dog Anal Gland Problems — Online Vet Help
Anal gland issues cause scooting, licking, and an unmistakable odor. Get expert guidance on impaction, infection, and dietary strategies to reduce recurrence.
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Understanding dog anal glands
Expert online care for dog anal glands
Licensed vet assessment of anal glands via secure video
Same-day appointments — most seen within 1–3 hours
Prescriptions delivered next business day when clinically appropriate
$65 flat fee — no memberships or hidden charges
Your pet stays comfortable at home during the consultation
Expert guidance on when in-person emergency care is needed
Small breeds and overweight dogs are especially prone to anal sac impaction. Chronic soft stools fail to express the sacs naturally, leading to buildup and bacterial infection.
While manual expression requires hands-on technique best learned in person, TelaVets vets can assess symptoms on video, prescribe antibiotics for infection, recommend fiber supplements, and advise when in-clinic expression or surgery is needed.
Common signs of dog anal glands we can help with
- Scooting rear on carpet or grass
- Excessive licking or biting at the tail base
- Fishy or foul odor from the rear
- Swelling beside the anus
- Blood or pus on stool or bedding
- Reluctance to sit or tail held down
- Pain when tail or hindquarters are touched
- Visible rupture with draining tract (abscess)
What causes dog anal glands?
Recurring anal gland problems often signal an underlying dietary or allergic issue — not just a grooming inconvenience.
Bacterial infection
Trapped secretions become a breeding ground for bacteria, progressing from impaction to sacculitis and painful abscess.
Anatomy and body condition
Narrow duct angles in small breeds, obesity, and allergies that thicken secretions all increase impaction risk.
How our vets diagnose it online
Our vets help you determine whether home care and medication can manage the issue or whether your dog needs same-day in-clinic expression.
- Assessment of scooting, licking, and odor history
- Visual inspection of perianal swelling on video when possible
- Review of stool consistency and recent diet changes
- Evaluation of pain level and appetite
- Guidance on safe in-clinic expression or abscess drainage when indicated
Treatments we may prescribe
Treating infection and improving stool bulk address most anal gland problems long-term. Recurrent issues may warrant surgical consultation.
Antibiotics (e.g., clavamox or metronidazole) for infected sacs
Anti-inflammatory pain relief for abscess discomfort
High-fiber diet or psyllium supplementation
Warm compress instructions for early abscesses
Referral for surgical sac removal in chronic cases
Allergy management if thickened secretions are allergic
Probiotic support for stool consistency improvement
All medications are prescribed only when clinically appropriate by a licensed veterinarian and dispensed through our FDA-compliant pharmacy.
Reducing anal gland problems in dogs
Maintain ideal body weight to reduce perianal fat pressure
Add fiber through diet or supplements for firm, bulky stools
Address food allergies that cause soft stools or anal irritation
Avoid unnecessary manual expression — it can cause inflammation
Schedule regular vet checks if your dog has a history of impaction
Why pet parents choose TelaVets
Licensed DVMs Only
Every consultation is with a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine — not a chatbot or technician.
$65 Flat Fee
One transparent price covers your full video consultation and treatment plan. No facility fees or surprise charges.
Same-Day Appointments
Most pet parents are connected with a vet within 1–3 hours of booking, 7 days a week.
Next-Day Prescriptions
When medication is appropriate, prescriptions are issued same-day and delivered to your door next business day.
Stress-Free Home Visits
Your pet is assessed in their calm home environment, which often makes symptoms easier to evaluate on video.
Secure & Private
Encrypted video calls and HIPAA-compliant records keep your pet's health information protected.
How TelaVets works
Book your consultation
Pick a same-day or upcoming slot — appointments available 7 days a week.
Connect with a licensed vet
Your vet assesses your pet via secure video, asks detailed questions, and reviews their history.
Get your treatment plan
Receive a diagnosis, personalised care plan, and same-day prescriptions delivered next-day.
What Our Pet Parents Say
Join thousands of happy pet parents who trust TelaVets for their furry family members care
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
Related resources
Helpful reading and services from the TelaVets team.
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Frequently asked questions about dog anal glands
Yes. Our licensed vets can assess symptoms of anal glands via video consultation, review your dog's history, and provide a clinical assessment with a treatment plan.
Treatment depends on severity and cause. Our vets will create a personalised plan which may include prescription medications, dietary changes, or at-home care instructions.
Same-day appointments are usually available. Most pet owners are seen within 1–3 hours of booking.
Yes. If medication is clinically appropriate, our licensed vets can issue prescriptions same-day, with next-day delivery to your door.
If your dog shows severe distress, inability to breathe, uncontrolled bleeding, or sudden collapse, seek emergency in-person care immediately. For other concerning symptoms, an online consultation is an excellent first step.
Get expert help for your dog's anal glands today
Same-day appointments — $65 flat fee — licensed vets