The bottom line is that no single technique has been shown to result in a consistent cure …
Veterinary advice from Scott Nimmo – Vetblog UK
WHAT IS ANAL FURUNCULOSIS?
Anal furunculosis is a disease most frequently seen in the German Shepherd but it can occur rarely in other breeds and it is characterised by chronic infection and ulceration of the area around the anus. More importantly there are often unseen but deeply infiltrating fistulous tracts which under run the skin. Above is a photo of an operation I carried out at my clinic on a six year old German Shepherd affected by this disease.
WHAT CAUSES THE DISEASE?
The precise cause of the disease is unclear but it is probably the result of several factors. The conformation of the German Shepherd allows the broad base of the tail to remain in almost continual contact with the anus and is responsible for spreading a thin film of faeces over the perineal region. Some German Shepherds are unable to resist even superficial infections which can arise in the skin due to contamination.The anal sacs (scent glands) seem to have only secondary importance in causing the disease but they may need to be removed if they are involved in the lesions. It should be emphasised that a dog’s predisposition to anal furunculosis is lifelong and relapses after an apparent cure can occur.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF ANAL FURUNCULOSIS?
Many dogs with this disease will show few signs apart from licking in the anal region but in advanced cases there may be damage and scarring of the muscle around the anus which prevents normal dilation of the anus. These dogs may have difficultly and pain when passing faeces. Other dogs with severe anal furunculosis may not be able to close the anus properly and become incontinent.
CAN IT BE TREATED?
The bottom line is that no single technique has been shown to result in a consistent cure. Nevertheless, in the past surgical removal of the infected tissue followed by cryo-surgery of the residual tissue without reconstruction of the surrounding skin has been met with very worthwhile results in my clinic. Another surgical technique is the rectal pull through operation which again is meeting with some success in advanced cases. However we are now getting good results using a drug called cyclosporin which may be used alone or in combination with another drug called ketaconazole. Cyclosporin can have side effects so the treatment has to be monitored with blood tests etc. another drawback of this therapy is that cyclosporin is a very expensive drug but its use may avoid extensive painful surgery.In South Africa tail amputation has been used to treat this condition.
WHAT IS THE PROGNOSIS FOR AFFECTED DOGS?
Lesions will eventually resolve in more than three quarters of those dogs that receive treatment. Some of these dogs however will need more than one course of treatment so it is vitally important that they are re-presented regularly for the follow-up surgery to minimise the risk of a relapse.
Regrettably a proportion of dogs do not respond to surgery and continue to have problems even after multiple treatments. It is difficult to predict the course for dogs with anal furunculosis that are untreated. Some remain static for long periods whilst others deteriorate rapidly ……
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Hi our dog has this problem and will need help with it the vet we went to said there isn’t really much hope and to put himdown but we not going to do this he is a healthy dog and still lively and happy we are tying anti b drugs and washing it and pain killers.
The dog is very loved and a family pet any option we will ty just the vet was on about a drug which cost 100 quid a week and might not work and takes 3 months to kick in
Our seven year old German Shepherd has had this condition for over two years now and is being treated with the human ointment Protopic 0.1% applied once daily, which seems to control the lesions. The vet did not suggest surgery but I have made enquiries and have been told that there does not seem to be a very good success rate and the problem might re-occur. The dog does not seem to be in a lot of discomfort even though he does lick the infected area quire a lot,but everything else seems fine – we go for long walks every day and his appetite is normal – he had a good quality of life.
i have just been told my 6year wheaten terrier has has the condition i have spoken to breaders of wheatens and there have never heard of it in the breed i would be interested if anyone has heard of it in this breeder
Hello Carol,
I have almost always seen this disease in German Shepherds and on very rare occasions in larger breeds like Afghan hounds. While I cannot contradict what your vet has said as they have actually examined your dog hands on I would have said it was next to impossible that a Wheaten Terrier would have this disease.
That is not say that your dog does not have a skin condition which looks like anal furunculosis { But is not the true form } but if this is the case then the chances of a cure by conventional means would be very high.
Good luck,
Scott