I've noticed recently that one of my poms, Kitsune, will sometimes drag her butt on the ground (well, at this point we have snow outside) and go around in circles while barking. It reminds me of some unusual ritual that she is performing. But I think it is something more than that.
Although she doesn't do it everytime she goes out, she does it maybe every few days. Concerned about her health, I did what any dog owner would do - I researched on the internet.
One of my favorite websites to check for dog issues is Pets WebMD. I made the mistake of checking a couple of other sites, which I don't usually do, and they were composed of silly comments by people with no real knowledge of a dog's health issues. Pets WebMD shared several possible problems that should alert an owner if their dog is dragging their butt.
The first one was anal sac problems. The anal sacs are located on either side of the anus. They can become abscessed, blocked, or inflamed. If that happens, they need to be expressed, or rid of the smelly, fatty fluid that has built up in them. This is more common in small breed dogs. Although you can do this yourself, it is probably best to let a professional veterinarian handle this.
Other problems that can cause scooting is from fecal contamination, particularly if your dog has had a recent bout of diarrhea. Then there are tapeworms, that show themselves as tiny pieces of what looks like white rice around the anus. And finally, rectal prolapse where a cylindrical mass of the intestine will stick out of the anus. You should bring your dog to the vet immediately if this is the problem.
Some of these issues can be avoided with changes to their diet. But again, consult your vet if your dog displays any of these symptoms.
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