Disease Ontology ID: DDTO:0000988

Disease Description: A condition characterized by abnormal communications from deeper tissues to the skin surrounding the anus.

Inherit Mode: unknown, but there is a strong breed predisposition for the breeds mentioned below.

Disease Symptom: This condition is painful for your dog. The types of signs you will see include straining or pain with defecation, bleeding, constipation, fecal incontinence, licking of the area, and malodorous anorectal discharge. These signs worsen as more tissue in the area around the anus becomes affected.

Disease Cause: -

Disease Diagnose: Diagnosis is usually straightforward, based on your description of what you observe in your dog, and on physical examination in which your veterinarian will find single or multiple areas of ulceration and draining tracts, with pus and blood. Your veterinarian may also take a skin biopsy if s/he suspects a tumour in the area (which usually has a more raised appearance, but can also be associated with extensive ulceration).

Treat Method: This is a difficult condition to treat. Medical treatment (combination of antibiotics, antiseptics, and anti-inflammatory drugs) only provides temporary relief, and is usually not successful in clearing up the condition. Generally surgery is required, and there are several methods used including surgical removal of the tracts, freezing or cautery of the tissue, and tail amputation. Possible post-operative complications include significant bleeding, fecal incontinence, and recurrence of the tracts. In mild cases, surgery often results in complete resolution of the problem, without recurrence. Where the problem is more severe (more tissue destruction), there is a lower rate of success and a higher occurrence of complications. Your veterinarian will discuss all this with you when considering what is best for your dog.

Breeder Advice: Although the inheritance (or even the cause of the condition) is not understood, it is preferable not to breed affected animals.

Disease Description Source: Link