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Treatment of Perianal Fistulas in Dogs |
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Perianal fistulas is a chronic, progressive condition in which ulcers and draining sores develop around the anus of dogs. Some of these sores can be quite deep and extensive. The cause is unknown. German shepherd dogs are most often affected and the disease can become very painful. Symptoms include pain upon defecation, constipation, bleeding around the anus, licking around the anus, and anal stricture.
Luckily, there is a proven treatment that has demonstrated a very good success rate. Surgery is the first step. The anal sacs, of which there are two that are located within the anal sphincter in dogs, are removed. Once the dog is healed from the surgery (about 10-14 days) the patient is placed on an eight week course of the medication, cyclosporine. Usually, within 6-8 weeks of the initiation of the cyclosporine therapy, the fistulas are healed and the medication can be stopped. In the cases that I have treated in this manner, I have not seen recurrences of the condition.
Although the treatment appears quite involved, it is better than the dog suffering with the condition. In the past, before treatment was available, most of my patients afflicted with this disease were euthanized because the pain became so severe.
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