INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS ANAL FURUNCULOSIS ?
Anal furunculosis (AF), sometimes referred to as perianal fistulae (PAF), is an immune-mediated syndrome encountered most frequently, although not exclusively, in the German Shepherd Dog. It is characterised by areas of chronic infection and ulceration involving the tissues around the anus with often unseen but deeply infiltrating fistulous tracts which underrun the skin. Additionally, many patients will have accompanying disease affecting the intestinal tract which often manifests itslef as lower bowel inflammatory disease (colitis). In most cases the dog's predisposition to the disease may be lifelong and there is probably no long term 'cure' for the condition.
WHAT CAUSES THIS DISEASE ?
The precise cause of the disease
still remains unclear but it is likely to be the result of several
factors the most important of which seems to be :
- An abnormal immune response which can lead to a number of related
conditions including anal furunculosis, lower bowel inflammatory
disease (colitis) and possibly, a range of diseases, including
skin problems.
Other factors which have been implicated but are probably of limited
importance in the development of perianal lesions include :
- The anal sacs (scent glands) seem to be involved in causing
the disease in some cases and they may need to be removed if they
are diseased.
- 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.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF AF/PAF ?
Most dogs with only the anal lesions
of AF/PAF will show few signs apart from licking in the anal region.
In a few very advanced cases the damage and scarring of the muscle
around the anus may be severe enough to prevent normal dilation
of the anus.
However, most dogs which show signs of difficulty when defaecating
are probably suffering in fact from concurrent lower bowel disease
and these signs are only unlikely to be the result of AF/PAF alone.
The lower bowel disease may need to be treated and controlled
before treatment for AF/PAF can begin. These signs usually respond
to suitable dietary management (hypo-allergenic diets) although
a few may need specific medication.
HOW IS AF/PAF TREATED ?
Until we have a clearer understanding of the causes of the disease it is unlikely that we will have a 'cure' for every dog with this disease. However there are a number of options which may help to resolve some lesions.
Dietary Management : It is very important to control any abnormal symptoms associated with the bowel (e.g. : loose motions, straining to pass motions, blood in motions etc.). This may entail laboratory investigations, dietary changes and medication. Many dogs have dietary hypersensitivity and finding a hypo-allegernic diet is very important. This can be formulated at home using protein sources such as fish, mutton, chicken and carbohydrate sources such as potato, rice, pasta. Alternatively, there are many commercially-available hypo-allergenic diets - these are usually complete diets and are often more convenient.
Medical Management : At the present time we do not have any
consistently-effective drugs for controlling the underlying predisposition
to AF/PAF but immunosuppressive drugs which modify and 'damp down'
the immune system (e.g.: prednisolone, cyclosporin) have been
shown to resolve lesions in many cases.
Prednisolone is a relatively cheap drug which is widely available.
It is has a number of well-recognised side-effects and is only
mildy immunosuppressive.
Cyclosporin is a very effective immunosuppressive drug which is
used to control tissue rejection after organ transplantation.
Unfortunately, although it often brings about resolution of the
AF/PAF problem it is an extremely expensive drug.
It must be emphasised that neither drug can be regarded as producing
permanent or outright cure.
Surgical Treatment : Surgical removal of the infected tissue followed by reconstruction of the surrounding skin produces very worthwhile results in many cases and, together with dietary management of lower bowel disease, remains the main treatment for many cases of AF/PAF.
WHAT POSTOPERATIVE CARE IS NEEDED ?
Surgery for AF/PAF is normally performed on an outpatient basis and most patients are discharged on the same day as surgery providing that they have recovered satisfactorily. In the case of extensive surgery your dog may benefit from a short period of hospitalisation.
After surgery your dog will need :
Suture removal : The surgical wound should not otherwise require any special attention and your veterinarian will be able to remove the sutures after 10 days.
Dietary management : Unless a change of diet has been discussed as part of your dog's treatment please do not alter the diet during the postoperative period since this may induce diarrhoea and straining when passing the motion.
Follow up : It is important that once treatment has begun your dog should have a check-up after approximately 6 weeks.
WHAT IS THE PROGNOSIS FOR DOGS WITH AF ?
It is difficult to predict at the
time of the initial consultation how individual cases will respond
to treatment. A more useful view can be obtained :
- After a surgical exploration has been performed.
- Once the result of surgery is reviewed 4-6 weeks postoperatively.
Lesions will eventually resolve in the majority of dogs which
undergo surgical treatment. However, some of these dogs will need
more than one operation and it is important that they are re-presented
regularly for their check up to minimise the risk of relapses.