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Riverstone Animal Hospital | Waterloo, Illinois
1571 North Illinois Route 3 Waterloo, Illinois 62298
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Anal Sac Disease
The anal sacs rest on either side of the anus in the 4 and 8 o’clock positions. All dogs and cats have these scent glands that normally empty their secretions during defecation. Symptoms of anal sac disease (ASD) include scooting, excessive licking, pain, swelling, and/or foul-smelling discharge from the anal sacs. Anal sac disease develops when the sacs cannot empty normally, such as with obesity, skin inflammation from allergies, loose stools/diarrhea, and tumors. The degree of ASD varies from mild impaction with thickened secretions to severe infections that breakthrough the skin around the anus. To treat ASD, the sacs are manually expressed followed by flushing of the sacs to clear excess debris and infection. Some pets may benefit from dietary changes, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories. Investigating and treating for an underlying cause limits the recurrence of ASD. In pets with chronic inflammation or tumors, surgery may be necessary to remove the anal sacs.
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1571 North Illinois Route 3
Waterloo, Illinois, 62298
Photos by Dale Hoffmann Photography
Location Hours Monday 8:00am – 6:00pm Tuesday 8:00am – 6:00pm Wednesday 8:00am – 6:00pm Thursday 8:00am – 6:00pm Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm Saturday 8:00am – 12:00pm Sunday ClosedJune 26, 2025
Whether your company allows you to bring your dog to work regularly, or has special…
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