Background Information

This is a condition predominantly found in the GSD and predominantly affecting dogs and bitches between 3-6 years of age though other breeds and ages are affected. To date, two related Utonagan bitches have been reported to us as having had to be put to sleep because of the advanced stage of the condition in both cases.

Symptoms

The symptoms are initially discomfort when defecating, wetness, redness or swelling of the anus, and if not diagnosed or treated this can lead to bleeding, blistering overly licking or biting at the affected areas, to extreme pain when defecating and also constipation. On examination the vet may find ulcerations and fistulas in and around the anal passage.

Causes

Due to the dire state of genetic testing available for canines in the UK the cause remains unknown though the general consensus from research appears to be that it is an hereditary auto-immune disease that can be passed on to any progeny produced. It is thought to be common in the GSD due to their general tail carriage, i.e. clamped down over their anus causing poor circulation of air around their back passage and obviously providing rife breeding area for any parasites and bugs.

HOWEVER after reading all the research I located, I’ve also found that it does seem to be the general consensus amongst the vets specialising in this field that basic poor quality complete meals (containing wheat and other allergens) could be a main factor.

Diagnosis

Usually this condition can be quickly diagnosed because of the presence of the blisters/ulcers in and around the anus. Usually a scraping or biopsy is taken to study the cells under a microscope and, depending on whether your vet has their own lab or have to send tests off to a lab, diagnosis is relatively quick.

Treatment

There are various treatments BUT these are not cures and their success is dependant on the severity of the condition and how early it is diagnosed. In most cases though treatment can be successful the condition generally recurs at some point. All the research I found on this stated that it was usually accompanied by dietary/digestive problems, i.e. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, skin complaints (i.e. dermatitis, eczema etc.) and that a change in diet to a non allergenic food (i.e. Burns, Skinners etc.) has always shown remarkable reduction of the symptoms of all of these conditions (as well as reducing seizures in epileptic dogs would you believe!!!).

Laser surgery to remove the ulcers and anal glands may be suggested, alongside a permanent change of diet to a non allergenic diet to prevent a recurrence of the condition. The most effective treatment is an immuno suppressant called Cyclosporine which has been very affective against this condition and usually vastly reduces the ulceration HOWEVER it is terribly expensive and apparently most insurance policies soon run out of funds. However if given in conjunction with another drug called Ketaconozole the dosage of the Cyclosporine can be reduced with the same effects but less costs. BUT again this is merely a treatment to reduce the symptoms and usually only has a great effect if given in conjunction with anti-steroids and a change of diet to a non allergenic type.

Cure

Though occasionally some dogs do recover fully with no recurrences these are few and far between, though if they’re kept on a non-allergenic food they may never develop this condition in the first place nor have a recurrence of the condition. There is sadly no actual cure for this severely debilitating condition. If it is diagnosed in the later stages, due to the level of pain the dog may be in, the vet may suggest euthanasia as the only humane outcome.

Breeding Advice

The two confirmed cases that have been reported to TUS, are mother and daughter. Therefore this goes some way to confirming the theory of it being a hereditary condition, although I have to say here, many pup owners follow the dietary advice of their Breeders and it could quite as easily be that in some cases it’s caused by both Breeder and owner feeding the same low quality complete meal (though most of our owners and breeders are feeding either BARF or non allergenic feed)

However until it’s studied further and the cause is 100% confirmed, we ask that all breeders are vigilant to ensure that their stock is not affected prior to breeding from them.

Lines known to be affected so far

We have had an Okami bitch and her daughter an Engrish bitch reported to us as being severely affected by this condition. Sadly both bitches had to be put to sleep. RIP.

Links

Please visit these websites to find out more about this condition:
http://www.videxgsd.com/Anal_Furunc_1.htm
http://www.videxgsd.com/Anal_Furunculosis_TT2.htm