What is perianal fistula? Perianal fistula in the GSD

http://www.total-german-shepherd.com What is perianal fistula? How is perianal fistula treated? What dog breeds are most often affected by perianal fistula. This is a painful condition. Watch to learn more.

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Pets & Animals

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• Perianal
• fistula
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• GSD

[hpcarter]

My GSD has this. It is apparently immune system related. He's on cyclosporine (an immune suppressor) and tacrolimus ointment. Treatment is working.

[Isenpedot]

Please no surgery!! My dog had surgery on one side, unnecessary. Other side managed with meds and diet. Diet is VERY important! Google pf to find web group about it!

[JoeCool031619]

@lotadale Yes my vet suggested benadryl. It was more of a short term fix. It kept my dog from chewing & licking the area bc I assume the benadryl helped the burning/itching. Rocco still has to have his Anal glands drained 3 times a week but its much better than it was. Ive used cephalexin for flare ups in the past too. effective after a few days..

[TotalGermanShepherd]

@lotadale suggested by vet

[lotadale]

@JoeCool031619 I noticed you used benadryl as a treatment for your dogs pf and it helped. Why did you choose to use this as a medication.?

[richardscan]

Surgery is definitely NOT recommended. It is an outdated (at least over a decade) approach. There are chemical treatment options work (cyclosporine, ketoconazole, antibiots, steroids, etc..)

[GoIndyGal]

When I googled, I found a great yahoo group with the name PF-L that is dedicated to fistulas in dogs.  They can help with getting the diet right, and the different choices of medicines. Surgery is *not* recommended for treatment of this terrible disease!

[JoeCool031619]

Well I hope you receive good news from your vet. According to my vet & internet research I've done myself, once a dog gets fistulas you can get rid off them but they can come back at anytime. It seems maintenance dosages & cleansing the area is the best we can do. BTW Rocco had a flare up a month ago & I gave him Benadryl & it cleared it up in 2 days, all but the one pinhole I can't get to heal. It's too bad more isn't known about this disease.. Good luck today...

[hpcarter]

Max has had it since June. We've been playing with Cyclosporine dosages. We first got them closed up and then cut the dosage back to what would hopefully be the maintenance dosage. The fistulas then tried for a comeback. The vet jacked the dosage up. I go back on Wed to the vet. I believe things are better.

[JoeCool031619]

I'm glad the treatment is working for you. How long has your GSD had it? My Rottie had a bad flare up after his 1st vet visit where it ran up his tail & inflamed his anus badly . Now it's all gone except for 1 pin hole on his anus that, when pressure is applied, a small amount of pus followed by blood comes out. I give him 1000mg of cephalexin a day & scrub the area w/ Nolvasan after every bowel movement. it's been over 3 months & I can't yet heal the pin hole. I just wish it would go away