Anal Furuncllosis.

[maxandskye]

Yes Beki, thats a good way of desribing it. Loads of tiny holes, red raw, hot & moist.

Its a horrible disease as it takes over the immune system, a bit like a Cancer.

When Max died, Syke was left. As she was only 4 months younger than Max, I became totally obsessed with checking her bum. I even cut all the hair around the area, to elliminate Skye getting the dreaded disease, well that was my theory, I dont think it quite works like that.

I remember taking Max to our regular Vets at the time, he said oh just take some anti biotics & it will clear up. After a few weeks nothing had improved, so we took him to another Vet, as soon as this new Vet saw his bum, he knew straight away that it was Anal Furungullosis, & what to prescribe. It just goes to show that not all Vets are in the know, which is very sad.


Maxandskye.

Max was beautiful! believe me I know your pain, my GS/Grey is affected with this disease and we are surviving, in some cases it will go into remission but it will not be cured. It can be caused by diseased anal glands in which case surgically removing them takes care of the problem, but tehre are otehr cases such as mine that are auto-immune based. Those you treat with Cyclosporine, or Cyclosporine & Ketoconazole, or Prednisone. There are also 2 topical one is Protopic and the other one is Tacrolimus which is same but is used in humans and animals for dry eye so it is an oily drop. DO NOT LET ANYONE tell you, that amputation of tail is needed, if it mentioned ran as fast as you can away from that vet. J.

[maxandskye]

Hi Jetta2009.

Sorry to hear about Grey, are you managing to keep it under control ? Max was on Prednisone which did seem to help for a time. Max `s disease was auto-immune based, I know its horible.

I did know of a few GSD`s who got this problem at a young age. The owners have managed to keep it under control by using pure Aloe Vera juice (not what you buy from the likes of Tescos, H&B, etc) & putting it in a syringe up the dogs back passage everyday. I know it sounds disgusting, I have never seen it done, but thats what they have told me, & they say it works. One of the owners told me that the dog had this problem from a very early age, & it lived to about 12 yr old & didnt actually die from the disease, it was something else.

This truley is a horrific disease, but there is always hope. Let me know how you go on, this disease always intrests me, as I went through a lot with my boy, he was so brave.

Best wishes.

Maxandskye.

Best wishes

I posted a long reply and got cut off and lost everything so I will try to do this in parts. My Mina is a female GS mixed with greyhound, her disease is auto-immune. Presently she is not on medicatoin except for an antacid, Benadryl and baby aspirin for pain. I belong to a couple of groups here in teh states, if interested in learning more let me know and I'll post a longer reply. Best - Jewelyn & Mina

Dogs with this disease that achieve remission ironically died from something else, we are trying to figure onset age of it, it seems to appear in most cases between ages 3 & 7. We use Cyclosporine or Cyclosporine & Ketoconazole or Prednisone. In addition there is a cream Protopic which you would apply once a day only. Food allergies are prevalent on these dogs, that needs to be considered.

Think of a nasty boil or pimple in your face, the dog knows before they show up because they hurt so they lick constantly or scoot on their butt as if they were itching, they are very deep and eventually breaks through the skin as a pimple would, if left untreated it is horrible. Sometimes it is because the anal glands are full so expressing takes care of the matter, others are auto-immune. Jewelyn

[maxandskye]

Thanks Jetta2009, my Max was constantly licking the wound, it got so sore, the poor lad. It always reminded me of those Baboons with red bums

Must go now, speak soon.

Maxandskye.

[maxandskye]

Hi Jetta2009.

Hows Mina going on, are you managing to keep the symptons under control?

Jenny.

[wildmoor]

I have a dog with A/F he started when he was 2yrs, tried cortosiods etc i wont use Atopica as I have had bad experience with that with another dog. The best thing I have found to keep it under control is to wash his anal region with Malesab lotion after defeacating.

just read all this now

and brunomy 5month old pup,
last few days has scooted his bum along the gress and carpet, like he is trying to sratch at itch, some days more than others, i have checked and it looks fine.
duno if its because his has a little but of the runs, or something worse...

is it worth going the vet?
as nothing looks to bad down that end