Scooting in Circles

My dog has recently started sitting down and goes in circles like his butt is itching him. Does anyone have this problem with their boston or any suggestions as to why he is doing this?

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Scooting in Circles

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Jan 10, 2011
 butt scooting
by: kennyb

both my bostons do this. It is their anal glands, the groomer is not able to empty them and they get infected. My male had an abscess that blew out, blood everywhere and off to the vet to have the gland sewed up. Sometimes they have to remove it depending on the damage. They n eed to be emptied about every three months.
Aug 09, 2010
 butt scooters
by: Anonymous

My Boston does this all the time. I at first thought it was worms but the vet confirmed that it was not and then told me that it is very common that their anal glands fill up and they scoot because it gets irritated and this will relieve it. The vet lifted his tail and squeezed his butt and the discharge came out. However it's a reoccurring problem and he needs to keep gettin taken care of. You can do it yourself or take your dog to the vet.
Aug 06, 2010
 Bostone butt biting and circling
by: Sheila

My 8 yr old Boston recently started trying to bite his butt and seems to be in the "poop" position alot. He is also "chasing his tail" alot. I have been watching him closely and noticed he had not been eating much. He also had not pooped much in a quite a few days. He normally goes within 20-30 mins after a meal. I called the vet and they had me bring him in immediately!! I was petrified!! They did a Lyme test which was negative...an X-ray to see if there was an obstruction....thank god there was not!! $175.00 later they still had no idea what was wrong. They suggested a Barium test which required anesthesia and xrays. The estimate: $350-$700 depending on the amount of xrays!!! I refused to pay that much for a diagnostic test!! If it was for a lifesaving surgery I would have gladly came up with the money. When I got him home I walked him and he pooped 6 times!! so I assumed the problem was solved....wrong...he was good for a few days then right back to same behavior. I dont know what else to do. It is obviously driving him crazy....us too!!! Any info would be helpful!! Thx Sheila
Apr 17, 2010
 Bum scooting
by: MacKenzie

Dogs also rub their bums on the ground if they have a parasitic infection. Diphyllidium caninum and Alaria americana are common parasites of dogs and they are both flatworms that release their eggs via the dogs feces. When the eggs hatch they can sometimes crawl out of the anus and cause an itching sensation that the dog needs to relieve.
Jan 13, 2010
 To answer your question
by: David

To answer your question, yes, this is common behavior for a lot of Bostons.

My vet told us that one of the main reasons Bostons drag their rear on the ground is due to glands that can sometimes become "full" near their hind region.

Some vets will actually drain the glands from time to time to prevent any possible discomfort.

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