Anal sac impaction in dogs

Measured in 106 breeds across 6 sources. Figures are grouped by how they were measured, because those groups are not comparable with one another.

8.8%Highest recorded
106Breeds measured
$129Typical treatment cost

1-year clinical

Share of dogs recorded with the condition in a single year of veterinary records.

Not a lifetime risk. A dog that develops this at age 9 is not counted in a year it was not diagnosed.

  • English Cocker Spaniel

    clinical or cohort VetCompass English Cocker 2023, 2016 n = 10,313

    10,313 English Cocker Spaniels under UK primary veterinary care

    8.1% 7% to 9.2% $129 typical

  • Shih Tzu

    clinical or cohort VetCompass Shih Tzu 2024, 2016

    UK primary-care dogs of this breed

    7.4% 6.5% to 8.5% $129 typical

  • French Bulldog

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Labrador Retriever

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Golden Retriever

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • German Shepherd

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Dachshund

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Poodle

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Beagle

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Rottweiler

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • German Shorthaired Pointer

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Bulldog

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Cane Corso

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Australian Shepherd

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Doberman Pinscher

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Miniature Schnauzer

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Boxer

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Pomeranian

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical
Show the other 81 breeds

  • Bernese Mountain Dog

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Great Dane

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Boston Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Chihuahua

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Havanese

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Border Collie

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • English Springer Spaniel

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Shetland Sheepdog

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Siberian Husky

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Brittany

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Belgian Malinois

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Cocker Spaniel

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Basset Hound

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • English Cocker Spaniel

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Vizsla

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Maltese

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Pug

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Collie

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Mastiff

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Rhodesian Ridgeback

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Papillon

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Portuguese Water Dog

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Shiba Inu

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • West Highland White Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Newfoundland

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Australian Cattle Dog

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Whippet

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Bichon Frise

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Dalmatian

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Giant Schnauzer

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Italian Greyhound

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Weimaraner

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Samoyed

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Scottish Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Bloodhound

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Akita

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Saint Bernard

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Great Pyrenees

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Miniature Pinscher

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Cairn Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Airedale Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Chinese Crested

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Irish Setter

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Irish Wolfhound

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Bullmastiff

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Chinese Shar-Pei

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Alaskan Malamute

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Brussels Griffon

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Lhasa Apso

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Keeshond

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Bull Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Old English Sheepdog

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • English Setter

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Pekingese

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Border Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Basenji

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Standard Schnauzer

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Chow Chow

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Dogue de Bordeaux

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Leonberger

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Flat-Coated Retriever

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Borzoi

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Japanese Chin

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Gordon Setter

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Wire Fox Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Welsh Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Afghan Hound

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Tibetan Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Parson Russell Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Norfolk Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Norwegian Elkhound

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Saluki

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Bearded Collie

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Welsh Springer Spaniel

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Greyhound

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Scottish Deerhound

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Lakeland Terrier

    all-dog baseline VetCompass 2014, 2013

    UK primary-care dogs, all breeds

    7.1% 6.1% to 8.1% $129 typical

  • Yorkshire Terrier

    clinical or cohort VetCompass Yorkshire Terrier 2025, 2016

    UK primary-care dogs of this breed

    4% 3.3% to 4.7% $129 typical

Owner survey

Share of dogs whose owners reported the condition at one point in time.

Depends on owners noticing and recalling. Mild or resolved cases are undercounted.

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    breed-specific finding KC survey 2017, 2014

    Live UK Kennel Club registered dogs, owner reported

    2.7% 2% to 3.8% $129 typical

  • Dachshund

    breed-specific finding KC survey 2017, 2014

    Live UK Kennel Club registered dogs, owner reported

    2.7% 1.4% to 5.2% $129 typical

  • Shih Tzu

    breed-specific finding KC survey 2017, 2014

    Live UK Kennel Club registered dogs, owner reported

    2.6% 1.4% to 4.8% $129 typical

Lifetime, owner-reported

Share of dogs whose owners report the dog has ever had the condition.

Counts everything a dog has ever had, so it runs higher than a one-year rate and is not comparable with one.

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    clinical or cohort Dog Aging Project breeds 2023, 2019-2022 n = 15

    27,541 US companion dogs in the Dog Aging Project, owner reported

    8.8% 5.4% to 14.1%

  • Chihuahua

    clinical or cohort Dog Aging Project breeds 2023, 2019-2022 n = 19

    27,541 US companion dogs in the Dog Aging Project, owner reported

    8.3% 5.4% to 12.6%

Where these figures come from

  • Dog Aging Project breeds 2023 Grade B

    Forsyth KK, McCoy BM, Schmid SM, Promislow DEL, Snyder-Mackler N, the DAP Consortium. Lifetime prevalence of owner-reported medical conditions in the 25 most common dog breeds in the Dog Aging Project pack. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2023;10:1140417.

    View source
  • VetCompass English Cocker 2023 Grade A

    Engdahl KS, Brodbelt DC, Cameron C, Church DB, Hedhammar A, O'Neill DG. Demography and disorders of English Cocker Spaniels under primary veterinary care in the UK. Canine Medicine and Genetics. 2023;10:1.

    View source
  • VetCompass Shih Tzu 2024 Grade A

    Dale F, Brodbelt DC, West G, Church DB, Lee YH, O'Neill DG. Demography, common disorders and mortality of Shih Tzu dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. Companion Animal Health and Genetics. 2024.

    View source
  • VetCompass 2014 Grade A

    O'Neill DG, Church DB, McGreevy PD, Thomson PC, Brodbelt DC. Prevalence of disorders recorded in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England. PLOS ONE. 2014;9(3):e90501.

    View source
  • VetCompass Yorkshire Terrier 2025 Grade A

    O'Neill DG, Witkowska SD, Brodbelt DC, Church DB, Engdahl KS. Yorkshire Terriers under primary veterinary care in the UK: demography and disorders. Companion Animal Health and Genetics. 2025.

    View source
  • KC survey 2017 Grade C

    Wiles BM, Llewellyn-Zaidi AM, Evans KM, O'Neill DG, Lewis TW. Large-scale survey to estimate the prevalence of disorders for 192 Kennel Club registered breeds. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology. 2017;4:8.

    View source

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