Anal Furunculosis | Willows UK | West Midlands (2024)

FAQs

What is furunculosis in German Shepherds? ›

Perianal fistula, also known as anal furunculosis is a serious medical condition that most commonly affects German Shepherd dogs, but may also occur in other purebred or mixed breed dogs. Perianal refers to the area immediately surrounding the anus or termination of the digestive tract.

Treatment of Interdigital Furunculosis in Dogs. Bathing the affected feet daily with antimicrobial soaks and shampoos (eg, chlorhexidine with or without an antifungal agent) will maintain skin hygiene in interdigital furunculosis.

Furunculosis in dogs is not contagious itself, and most skin conditions and infections are not contagious either. However, parasites such as fleas and mites can be contagious between dogs and other pets and they could cause the initial irritation which leads to secondary infection and conditions like furunculosis.

Boils may resolve with simple self-care measures, but the pus needs to drain in order for them to heal completely. Many boils eventually drain on their own, or they can be drained by a medical professional. Antibiotics may also be prescribed.

Treatment of Furuncles and Carbuncles

Abscesses are incised and drained. Intermittent hot compresses are used to facilitate drainage. Antibiotics, when used, should be effective against MRSA, pending culture and sensitivity test results. In afebrile patients, treatment of a single lesion < 5 mm requires no antibiotics.

Anal furunculosis is a chronic, progressive inflammatory disease of dogs that results in ulceration and inflammation in the area surrounding the anus. Anal furunculosis occurs most commonly in middle aged or old aged German shepherd dogs, although other breeds can be affected.

A furuncle may begin as a benign-looking bump on your skin, like a pimple. However, as the infection worsens, the boil can become hard and painful. The boil contains pus as a result of your body's attempt to fight the infection. Pressure may build, which may cause the furuncle to burst and release its fluids.

Don't test out any home folliculitis remedies on your pup without consulting your veterinarian first. If you were considering using apple cider vinegar as a treatment, think again. Dr. McCullough says you should avoid using apple cider vinegar because it may cause your dog pain when it's applied to their inflamed skin.

Cyclosporine is the treatment of choice. Perianal fistula, also termed anal furunculosis, is characterized by chronic, purulent, malodorous, ulcerating, sinus tracts in the perianal tissues.

Signs & Symptoms

In lighter skin colors, boils may appear red or purple, and in darker skin colors, they may appear purple or brown. The most common areas for boils to occur are places where there is friction, such as the buttocks, armpits, groin, neck, shoulders, and face.

Why does my German shepherd keep getting cysts? ›

Comedones and follicular cysts are a consequence of local injury to the follicle(s), blockage of the opening of the pore or the follicle, mechanical or 'pressure point' damage, sun damage (UV damage), or inactivity of the hair follicles in hairless breeds (e.g., Mexican Hairless Dog and Chinese Crested Dog).

Many other causes of furunculosis have been suggested, therefore, such as insanitary personal habits or surroundings, anemia, hypoproteinemia, debility, fatigue, low general or local resistance to the infection, hyperglycemia, low metabolic rate and internal foci of infection.

Other commonly recommended treatments include soaking the foot in warm water (with or without an antibiotic solution added to the bath) and applying antibiotic ointment. Some dogs may benefit from antibiotic wraps and bandaging. Pain medication may be needed in some dogs.

Transmission or Cause: The exact etiology and pathogenesis of this disease is not completely known but it is proposed to be due to an insect bite/sting which then triggers an acute allergic reaction.