Any one heard of a condition called Perianal Fistulas, not sure on the spelling. Basically
it is an inflammation inside the anal area which cause GREAT difficulty defacating.
My male has to really strain to void. The vet says teh condition can be treated with
medication. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Phil

First off, I would definitely get a second opinion. This is truly a serious and sad disease that I wouldn't wish on any dog. Here is a link, but you can do your own search on google.

http://www.petsurgery.com/perianalfistulas.htm

I don't know how severe your dog has it, but usually surgery is required and for some there is no cure. So, again, I would get a second opinion to make sure that's what he has.

This is an excellent site for information on Perianal Fistulas There is also a support group for PF with a lot of experienced owners and information on up-to-date treatments. The link should be on the site.

PLEASE get as much information as you can on this disease before making any decisions on treatment. Most vets are unaware of the most current drugs and other treatments available.

I have a 9.5 year old GSD bitch with PF. I ran her through all the treatments except for surgery. In February of 2001 I removed her from all medications since she was not only getting worse, but her temperament was being affected. I figured that we would be burying her as soon as the ground thawed. Not only is she still around 1 year later, but actually improved. She still has two very small fistulas, but she "feels" better and is acting healthier than she had for several years. I have her on high doses of Vit B-12 and Ester C plus she is fed a raw diet. I don't know if this is what helped or caused her "remission", but it is what I found worked for my dog.

Thanks for the info on PF. Hopefully the treatment will help??????? I appreciate the links also.

I found this thread when I was trawling through the old posts.
As some of you know I drive around delivering pet food here in the U.K. I have come across 3 male GSD's with this condition. Sadly 2 are no longer with us but one is struggling on. However, this dog has had to have several enemas(spelling) and has to have the "holes" frozen from time to time.It is a very expensive process. His owner says that swimming in the sea helps his dog no end - must be the salt in the water. He is also treating his dog with some stuff generally used for cows udders - it comes in a syringe and is put into each hole and seems to help with the problem. This stuff is actually very cheap to buy from the vets but I can't remember the name of it
One of my GSD breeders went to a conference where this was a topic for a debate but the jury is still out on the cause. Some say it's hereditary some say not. however, all seem to agree not to breed from a dog with this condition.

Gwen

I had a male GSD who developed fistulas when he was six years old. He had surgery but it did not help,he died a year later. Now i have had some breeder's tell me that they have only seen this problem mainly in american bloodlines because of the rear angulation and the tight tail carriage over the rectal area of the dog. My dog had no american blood in his pedigree, he was what i consider german show, a Vax von der Weinerau grndson. So don't beleive anyone that tell's you this is just a problem with american bloodline's, it can develop in german line's also. I would be curious if anyone else on the board has had,or has a gsd with this condition and the bloodline's of the dog.

bk4jon

The dogs I referred to were all from what I suppose you would call German Show Lines - even though most of the ancestors were SCH3. I think the divide in the early days wasn't as pronounced as it is now.

Gwen