Information about Perianal Fistula in GSD - Page 1

Has anyone had any experience with Perianal Fistula with the German Shepherd dogs?

What is the cause?
What is the prognosis?
What is the cure?

Any and all the information will be appreciated.

You can email me directly to     jojovcj@hotmail.com

Thank you,
John

There is alot of information on the internet, look for reputable sites as you google them.
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/20603.htm

It is apparently caused by having a tail that sits over the anus for excessive amounts of time and bacterial growth causes really bad infections around the anus to the inside ducts. It can be sorta genetic, as if the parent dogs have a tail that sits the same way they likely might also get this infection, but the ultimate cause is having bacteria growth under the tail.

This can be very painful , it is treatable .

Cut off the tail, or remove the ducts completely around the anus with laser or cauterizing knife surgery. They will try rounds of antibiotics,creams,  and powders before ultimately doing surgery.



Whisper

With all due respect, forget everything that Kimmelot just said because it's all wrong.

Perianal fistulas is an autoimmune disease and is caused by the dog's immune system attacking the tissue around the anus.  Oral cyclosporin, an immunosupressant typically used to prevent organ recipients from rejecting donor organs, is currently the best treatment option along with Protopic ointment applied to the effected area.  In most cases, the cyclosporin will be effective at putting the fistulas into remission but it is expensive and it is an ugly drug because it essentially shuts down the dog's immune system exposing it to a host of other issues including carcinomas.  In my experience, it is a temporary solution.

I have had two dogs with this condition and cyclosporin worked...at first.  After their fistulas were in remission, I discontinued the drug and they came back eventually although it took two years with one of the dogs.  The second round of cyclo was not as effective for either.  Both dogs ultimately had to be put down.

I agree autoimmune and probably genetic.

Keith is correct. You can also use ketoconazole in conjunction with the cyclosporine to reduce cost (the ketoconazole helps keep the cyclosporine in the system much longer at a much lower cost) of the cyclosporine (NOT an inexpensive drug--the cheapest place to purchase it being Costco, where it is roughly $100 per 2 weeks dosage for an 80 pound dog when used in conjunction with ketoconazole). It is not a cure, but simply holds off the inevitable for a couple of years. Answers to your questions: Autoimmune disease, likely genetic; prognosis is not good, and no cure currently. :(

Melanie, Vom Felsenhof German Shepherds

triple post

triple post

So what you are saying is if you bred a dog that had this than the offspring would be predisposed to developing it? Humm..I wonder why someone would breed a dog knowing it had this disease?

I don't recall anyone saying anything about breeding a dog knowing it had this disease nor could I imagine anyone doing so with a a dog that is on an immunosuppressant but both of my dogs were nearly beyond breeding age when the condition first manifest itself so it wouldn't have mattered anyway.  The reason B.Andersen says that it is probably genetic is that it occurs more frequently in GSD's than any other breed so it stands to reason.  Other breeds are, however, afflicted as well.

Same as Pannus and DM. IMO auto immune disorders are some of the worst disorders. Dm usually does not manifest until the dog is older as well Pannus usually as a adult as well. Unfortuneatly some breeders do breed dogsthat have these disorders pooh poohing the notion saying UV light causes Pannus etc.