Anal furunculosis/perianal fistulae......treatment n cost. - Page 2

noddi, I've got a study from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Society on the subject of treatment success using the tacrolimus ointment, which in the States at least is less expensive than the cyclosporine.  If you'll click on my user name and contact me @ the email address shown there, I'll be happy to send you a copy of it as a PDF for you and your vet to review.  At 9 years of age, there is a good chance you may be able to successfully manage the condition so it does not have an adverse effect on her longevity--diet plays an important role in the disorder, also, so you'll want to carefully consider how you're presently feeding, and what sort of changes you can make to her diet to minimize the overstimulation of her autoimmune response.

Additionally, breeders should be made aware that there is a now DNA test that can be done to identify whether a dog is clear of the allele associated with this disorder, is a carrier of the allele (has one copy of it), or is at risk for developing the condition (dog has two copies of the allele), similar to the way the DNA test does for degenerative myelopathy (CDRM to the folks in the UK).  Like the DM test, the perianal fistula testing is done from a cheek swab, but as far as I've been able to find out, it is still only available through a lab in Finland--though OFA does now recognize the results for a charge of $15.00.  (Source: http://germanshepherdhome.net/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1588/Perianal_Fistulas )

Here's the link to the lab's website, with info on what the test is looking for, what the results mean, and how to order a test kit: 

http://www.genoscoper.com/in_english2/gene_tests/gene_tests/anal-furunculosis-and-csk-dla-ri/

I believe that some GSD breeders in the UK have already started testing their stock using this test.

According to this newsletter from June 2008, research was being done in the UK to try and develop a test to identify perianal fistula carriers and affected animals, so it might be worthwhile for you to contact the university mentioned and see if they've made any progress toward that, too:     

http://www.akcchf.org/news-events/library/articles/germanshepherdupdate0608.pdf

As of last spring, at least one of the UK researchers was still actively involved in the study:  

http://www.rvc.ac.uk/Staff/bcatchpole.cfm

Aaaannnnd--it turns out that the Finns also have a DNA test to determine whether a dog is carrying the genetic coding for *pannus* (Canine chronic superficial keratitis), too!  THAT is something breeders ALSO need to become aware of, and start testing for as well--all three of these diseases for which DNA testing has recently become available have one primary factor in common: affected dogs generally don't show ANY clinical signs of the disease until they're already matured and well into the ages where they've likely already been bred and not only have offspring on the ground, but that offspring is ALSO reproducing...and passing the genetics along to sustain these diseases in our breed.   I've always been willing to overlook pannus to a certain extent, since it typically doesn't show up until the dog is 6-7 years of age, and there's also the environmental factor that had to be factored in, but if there's now a way to identify which dogs are carriers and which are likely to become affected via a simple cheek swab *well before a dog reaches the age for consideration as breeding stock*, there's really no adequate justification for NOT doing the test, and for breeding dogs which are found to be at risk of developing the condition.  By testing early for this condition, breeders could identify which pups should absolutely NOT be sold to homes located in areas where the environmental factors would only serve to exacerbate the condition, which would save those dogs a great deal of unnecessary discomfort later in their lives.

thank u Hexe for your post.I beieve that yes,some breeders here are doing the allae test to determine whether their breeding stock carry/have the allaes.I know both the ladies here in the uk(one more personally than the other)who are working with the researchers into the genetic health diseases of the GSD.In fact one of them has asked on my behalf the advice of one of these researchers re my bitch.Both are not fully convinced it is AF,seeing as she has never suffered from any auto immune defect before and the late onset(ie at 9 yrs)Vet diagnosed from external exam,no internal as she considered it would cause her more distress as she was sore there.She didnt consider treating with prednisolone plus antibiotics to get inflammation down so an internal could be done,say in a wks time,as another experienced gsd person,s vet has done recently.This experienced breeder/show person has been in breed more yrs than me and she suspected AF but it was the anal glands,which the vet expressed n the infection cleared up with meds.I DO SUSPECT SHE HAS AF n a friend who,s bitch has it ,has had a look n confirms that it does look like she hasS

continued ....AF.Advice from researcher is NO MORE BONES.....give veg and all bran daily.Road excercise for 15 mins.plus free running.Use sudacrem inside and out,giving child,s dose of vit c and zinc tablets for 2 wks.Carole S.

So pleased that there is a DNA test for this.  One of the main reasons I wouldn't get another GSD is because this illness seems so prevalent in GSD's at the moment & also because of the pain & distress it causes the dogs & the huge expense for the owner.  My insurance has nearly run out & Willow's vet bills for it are around £200 per month just to hold it back, not to cure it.

I hope more breeders will start testing for it
 

Carole, if your girl's problem IS AF, in addition to increasing the dog's fiber intake (hence the veg & all bran), the studies here in the States have shown it to be beneficial to change the dog's diet as far as the protein and carbohydrate sources, since the condition does have an autoimmune basis... Between her age and gender, your girl's situation is definitely not the normal presentation, BUT--it is also not unheard of for allergic responses to develop to things that formerly were well tolerated. This can especially be true in instances where a dog experiences a bout of a gastroenteritis that causes damage to the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, leaving the dog at risk of becoming sensitized to it's usual food as nutrients from the feed are introduced into the bloodstream before the digestive process has adequately broken them down to allow the cells to utilize them.  Typically, dogs that are diagnosed with AF here are fed either a prescription diet that is processed by microhydrolization, (which reduces the proteins to the smallest possible level) or they are switched to a commercially available product that uses a protein source and a carbohydrate source that is novel to that particular dog (i.e., venison, fish, rabbit, duck or another protein source not typically used in dog foods, and a carb source not usually used such as oatmeal, potato, barley, millet, quinoa, etc.). 

Right now, if you're not confident with the diagnosis (of sorts) that you've gotten so far, it's most definitely time for a second opinion. An impacted anal sac can rupture externally and create one or more tracts that can mimic early stage AF, and I've had this occur as a consequence of a dog refusing to empty her bowels for 48 hours (she wanted to be at least 30 feet from anyone when she went, and we were traveling in an area where that simply wasn't possible for two days).  We sedated her enough to be able to express the contents of both sacs and flush them out with a cleansing solution, packed them with an antibiotic ointment, and she was put on a round of antibiotics by mouth, a course of prednisone, and cleansing the area after each bowel movement, followed by application of antibiotic ointment using a hemorrhoid-cream nozzle.  I also switched her to the microhydrolized diet, which also has increased fiber, and within three weeks or so she was fully healed and back to normal. 

hiya Hexe,hope yu are having a good xmas.Chiki has been fed raw(prey)for the past few years,approx.5/6 yrs.She has been getting various types of mince plus organ meat in the mornings and raw meaty bones of an evening.In addition i use probiotic yoghurt,eggs,cottage cheese.Treats are tripe sticks or fish4dogs treats as mine wont eat fish.Veg only added occasionally if i,d cooked too much for me and hubby.Dont use any type of biscuits.The mince is varied,beef/beef n heart/beef n liver/tripe/tripe n beef/tripe n chicken/tripe n oily fish/rabbit/venison/turkey/chicken./minced meats(mixture of meats)She wont eat the raw duck mince.i,ve only been feeding this mince for approx.3 mths.n wasnt aware that it contained 10%ground bone,so think i,ve more than likely over done the bone content by quite a way as both my girls were a little constipated.All RMB.have been dispensed with and both girls are going regulary(once a day as per normal)Stools are now softer as before they were on the hardish side bit not solid.Chiki is only objecting if i clean it with either hibiscrub/salt water,if its just warm clean water she,s ok and doesnt whine.The position of wot is being classed as the 2 fistulae is near to the top and very nearly in line on either side.In fact the area which is sore looking is just around the anus opening and its like there,s a small pinky red bubble just there(my sister,a state registered nurse wonders if she has piles?)She has never sufferred from any gastro infections n very rarely the yellow biley stuff one gets when they eat grass,which she regulary does,tho i try to stop her.Its not the normal short grass but long wide strands out in the overgrown fields.Carole.

Could it be a rectal polyp?  I'd certainly get a second opinion before going ahead with treatment.

Carole, dogs can and do get piles (hemorrhoids/polyps)...second opinion time, methinks.

I wish to thank everyone on here who has forwarded very helpful advice,especially Hexe.Thank u all very much.Will book Chiki in to be examined by a private vet tomoz.n cross my fingers that the PDSA vets diagnosis was incorrect.Thank yu all very much.Will keep yu all informed.Carole.

Afternoon all.A quick update o Chiki,s condition.Have been to a private vet today n Chiki had impacted anal glands which have now been expressed.A Synulox n a rimadyl injection n rimadyl n synolux tabs.for next 10 days n a follow up at the vets in 2wks time for a quick internal n squeeze if needed.Thanks everyone for your input.Carole.