Dogs with food allergies are often undiagnosed, or incorrectly diagnosed as having atopy (pollen allergy) or some other kind of health problem.
When a dog presents with scooting as a symptom, the vet works through a variety of possible causes. Diagnosis can be time-consuming, and tricky if the dog owner cannot provide all the information necessary to form a correct diagnosis.
Worms can make dogs scoot. Worms like tapeworm can irritate the anus, shedding segments that wriggle around the anus causing an uncomfortable feeling that can make dogs scoot.
Anal sac disease can also make dogs scoot. Inside the anus are two small openings at 4 O'Clock and 8 O'Clock. This is the duct that is the opening to the anal sac. The sac is lined with scent glands that secrete a noxious smelling substance. This secretion is used in territory marking when the dog defaecates and may also be used in identification between dogs as dogs often smell each others bottoms.
It is hypothesized that wagging the tail may also be a mechanism for spreading a dogs odour individual recognition between dogs!
When the ducts to the anal sacs become blocked, the gland fills up and becomes distended. The secretion thickens and an impaction forms.
Dogs with this problem will scoot because it is like having two boils on your bottom. It is very uncomfortable and since dogs don't have fingers, they cannot relieve themselves. This is a common cause of scooting.
What isn't well appreciated is many of these dogs have underlying allergies which makes the skin of the perineum inflamed.
Inflamed skin causes the duct opening to be closed off, similar to a blocked pore that leads to a pimple in people. Many dogs that scoot constantly actually have allergic skin disease. If left undiagnosed, there will be irreversible changes to the duct and the glandular secretion. Surgical removal may be the only answer to chronically diseased and blocked anal sacs.
Another common cause of scooting is food allergies in dogs. Many young dogs with food allergy will scoot even if the duct to the anal gland is not impacted. Many vets will diagnose anal sac disease when in fact the duct is patent and the gland is not impacted. The dogs scoot because the perineum is itchy.
Allergic skin disease and food allergy in dogs is often overlooked as a cause of scooting. The perineum of these dogs is often inflamed and itchy and is often misdiagnosed as anal sac disease!
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