Why is my dog scooting with a red, irritated tail and losing hair?

Question

My dog has started scooting. The top of it and and a small area at the base of his tail are red, moist, and irritated. The same area on his tail is gone. I have read the possibilities and have checked his stool. I have not seen any worms his behavior has not changed, and his appetite is still normal. The only change is his food. Any advice? Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 2 years and 3 months old | 70 lbs

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

The most common cause of scooting on the ground is impacted anal glands - these are two scent glands located on either side of the rectum in dogs, which can sometimes get infected or overly full. When this happens, it's quite uncomfortable and can even be itchy or painful in some cases, causing the dog to scoot. If you are seeing some redness and hair loss in the surrounding area, it's also possible that he has an allergy or other skin condition that is contributing to the problem. I would recommend having Kane examined by a vet tomorrow if possible - he/she can check his anal glands and express them if needed, and may also prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medication to help treat the problem.

Why is my dog scooting with a red, irritated tail and losing hair?

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