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My puppy's rear smells fishy and has fluid. Should I be worried?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Golden Labrador | Male | unneutered | 3 months and 17 days old | 8 lbs

My puppy’s butthole is very smelly and I can smell it from a distance. It also seems to have a fluid coming out. Its clear, but also a mucus color like whiteish. Should I be concerned?

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 14th, 2018

What you are smelling may be anal gland secretions. If one or both of the anal glands are very full they will sometimes "overflow" and then you have them exit the anus. This is a very bad sort of fishy smell. Next time you visit your vet for his vaccinations, you should have the vet examine them and empty them if necessary. If you think he has problems pooping or if he cries when pooping or if he scoots his behind on the floor, then they may be infected or impacted and need to be checked by your veterinarian.

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    Answered By Debi Matlack

    Veterinary Technician

    Published on November 28th, 2020

    That could be recently expressed or impacted anal glands. The odor is comparable to a bad fish smell. Most dogs express some of the material each time they defecate, but some do not and that can cause problems. Your dog is a bit young for impacted glands but many poodles do have problems with their anal glands. If he is scooting, has a reddened swollen area around his anus, then they are probably impacted or inflamed. Your vet can show you how to express them at home yourself, and most groomers do it as part of the bath before the haircut. Impacted anal glands can be quite painful and if they stay swollen without getting expressed they can rupture and become infected.

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