My dog's anal gland ruptured. Can it heal at home without a vet?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | spayed | 9 years and 9 months old | 7 lbs
I have a 9 year old chihuahua/dachshund that had ruptured her anal gland, leave a large hole near her rectum. I don't not have the money to seek veterinary help. Will it heals on its own?
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on May 4th, 2017
Don't panic! Yes this will heal on its own. What I recommend you do is make a warm epsom salt solution and soak her little bum in the solution several times daily until the swelling goes down. She is small enough that you could put a 1/4 c of epsom salt in a kitchen sink-sized basin and have her sit in this until the water cools. This does a great job of healing the hole and drawing out the infection and swelling.
37Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on February 23rd, 2017
If she is uncomfortable she may need extra pain relief but generally they are much more comfortable once the pressure has been reduced. Contact your vets office tomorrow and advise them of the changes you have seen
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on September 12th, 2019
If your dog's anal glands are just really full a groomer or vet can empty them for you. I would not recommend doing it unless you have had some instruction. If the anal gland is actually impacted, then you would need a veterinarian to help as it needs to be lanced and flushed with medication and often needs oral antibiotics to help it heal. You can alternate warm and cold compresses- warm to encourage draining if it is drawing to a head or has ruptured and cold to reduce swelling and inflammation- to help give some relief until you can see your vet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on January 24th, 2018
It sounds like you may caused a ruptured anal sac. In many instances, if you were to go to the vet, they might not even treat it with anything assuming that the hole is not very large. In most instances, when I see patients with this unless the hole is very large I don't close it up at all and allow it to heal on its own. However, without seeing a picture of what you've done I can't really make or not make that recommendation. If the hole is large enough and/or your dog seems to be in some pain now, I would recommend taking him to your veterinarian for an exam and the appropriate medication to control any discomfort he may be experiencing. Also, if you are extremely experienced in expressing anal sacs, before trying it again in the future I would make sure you have your vet or one of the technicians show you precisely how to do it without causing any sort of harm. In this instance, it may not have preventable if the sac was extremely full or there is some sort of secondary issue. It is just always good to make sure that you are doing things properly! Hope this makes sense.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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