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My dog has a painful hole or wound near her butt. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | spayed | 10 lbs

My dog has a hole by her butt

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3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on February 21st, 2020

This is most likely due to a ruptured anal gland abscess. Have her examined by your veterinarian for confirmation. Your veterinarian should check the other gland and express (empty) it if necessary. Antibiotics will probably be dispensed. Pain medication may also be dispensed if indicated. place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent licking until she has healed.

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16Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 26th, 2018

    This actually looks like an ulcerated tumor. It could also be an abscessed anal gland. You need to take Rommie to a vet for an exam and treatment. If it is a tumor he may want to take some tissue to determine whether it is benign or malignant. This will also determine how to proceed with treatment , especially since your dog is fairly old. If it is an anal gland abscess then it should be flushed and he will need antibiotics and pain medicine, Please take him to a veterinarian soon.

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    Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on August 5th, 2017

    Without seeing her or reviewing her medical history, you may be describing an anal gland abscess. Many dogs can continue to have anal gland issues and occasionally will need to have them removed to prevent further infection and pain. Another possibility for wounds around the anus, particularly in German Shepherds and crosses, is perianal fistula. I will include a link to more information below. They can be extremely painful and often confused for anal gland abscesses. Another possibility is cancer of the rectum, anus, or anal gland(s). If Suzi is having difficulty defecating, she needs to see a vet as soon as possible. With any of these diseases, often antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and laxatives are prescribed. Additional pain medications may also be prescribed. Your vet may recommend a biopsy of the affected tissue to get a diagnosis of inflammation, infection, or cancer. These results should be able to help your vet formulate the most appropriate long-term treatment. http://www.vetstreet.com/care/perianal-fistula-in-dogs

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There is a strange looking rash near my dogs butthole. The thing has a deep hole in it. It is oozing blood and something clear. It is a bit painful.
It could be a small wound, it could also possibly be a ruptured anal gland. I recommend getting him seen by your vet as soon as possible as that looks like it needs wound care, flushing, and most likely antibiotics in order to heal quickly. In the meantime, use a mild soap and warm damp washcloth to keep the area clean.
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It could be a ruptured anal gland abscess. An exam with your veterinarian will confirm this. Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent licking. If it is an abscess, it will need to be flushed and cleaned. Antibiotics and pain medications will likely be indicated.
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this morning I noticed a black bump on my dogs butt, it hurt her a lot to even touch it. I left for a few hours and came back to it having burst and now it's a hole.
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Stubby. She appears to have an anal gland abscess that has ruptured. She needs to see her veterinarian. The anal glands sit under the skin on either side of the anus. They are supposed to express fluid every time the dog defecates. However, sometimes they can become infected. When this occurs an abscess forms under the skin, and in her case, has ruptured. It is very painful. She will need pain medication and an antibiotic to treat the infection. She will also need the gland flushed out to ensure it is functioning. In the meantime, do not allow her to lick the area. I hope this information helps!
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Your pet may have an inflamed or infected [anal gland](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/conditions-of-the-anal-glands). [Impacted or abscessed anal glands](https://www.petcoach.co/article/anal-glands-sacs-impactions-infections-abscesses-in-dogs) are very painful and makes it difficult to defecate or even move. Without treatment, an impacted gland may abscess and rupture, causing a open wound on your pet's rear that will require wound care, antibiotics and pain relief. I recommend getting your pet seen by your vet. He or she will express (empty) the anal glands, clean her up and possibly start her on antibiotics and pain medication if indicated. You can ask to be shown how to express the anal glands yourself at home so you can avoid impaction or infection in the future. Increased dietary fiber or supplements, such as [Glandex](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/glandex-anal-gland-beef-and-liver-powder-supplement-for-dogs-and-cats), may help prevent anal gland issues
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Mila has a painful cut or scrape with white or yellow in the middle right next to her anus. The wound It’s moist, but not bleeding. She doesn’t want anyone to touch the area. She is eating and going to the bathroom normally. She’s not her normal
Hello, sorry to hear about Mila. Its likely that this is an impacted anal gland that developed an abscess that then, subsequently ruptured. However a wound from trauma (being bit by something, or hit by something) may have also caused this wound. Make sure that she is not licking at it now and have her seen by her veterinarian tomorrow for her appointment. She may need to have medications such as antibiotics administered to her. Hope this helps and best of luck.
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My dog has a dime sized wound next to his butt hole, How can I heal the wound?
Mooshu needs to be examined by the veterinarian. A wound like this is generally an abscessed anal gland or a ruptured tumor. These lesions require care only a vet is generally able to provide. You need to stop Mooshu from licking the wound by having him wear an elizabethan collar at all times because the licking may make it worse. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
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Starting this week, I notice lump near her butthole and it’s hurting my dog. I’m not sure what to do.
Poor girl. This is most likely an anal gland abscess (infected pocket). The only way to resolve this unfortunately is to visit your vet who will have to lance this area, drain out the infection, and then get her on an oral antibiotic. This is typically caused by the anal glands (two sacs inside the rectum) getting overly full and then getting infected. Some pets require having their anal glands expressed by your vet or groomer once every 4-8 weeks if this becomes a constant problem. An over the counter product called Glandex can help some of these pets manage this problem, but we really don't know for sure why these are a problem in pets, so its best to discuss this more with your vet once you get this treated. Until she can get seen you can try applying a cold compress to the area if tolerated. But its best to get her seen soon to fully resolve this source of discomfort and infection. I do hope that your pet Lala's swollen area gets resolved soon! Best of luck and take care.
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What Is the Red Bump on My Dog's Butt?
It could be an [anal gland abscess](https://www.petcoach.co/article/anal-glands-sacs-impactions-infections-abscesses-in-dogs). This occurs when the anal glands do not fully empty during the act of defecation resulting in inflammation, impaction and infection. Have her examined by your veterinarian for confirmation and treatment. This may include sedation followed by lancing, draining and flushing the abscess. Antibiotics and pain management will likely be indicated. Topical treatment may not be sufficient. An e-collar (cone) can be used to prevent licking until she sees the doctor. Afterwards, you can have her glands expressed (emptied) regularly and add additional [fiber](https://www.petcoach.co/article/high-fiber-diets-anal-gland-disease-in-dogs/) to her diet to[ prevent recurrence](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-prevent-impacted-dog-anal-glands).
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Based on the photo and your description this does sound like an anal sac gland abscess. Continue with her antibiotics as previously prescribed and ensure that she cannot lick the area (may need a cone collar). Often, abscesses will open and drain like this before they can begin to heal. Continue to monitor the area and if she will allow you can do a warm compress on the region a few times a day. If you are not seeing improvement in the area in the next several days, it wouldn't hurt to have your vet take a look again and make sure that it does not require additional treatment or medications.
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