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Question

?Perianal fistulas have been diagnosed in our 7 yr old German Shepherd.
What is common treatment?
What are the common symptoms?

Submitted: 691 days and 23 hours ago.
Category: Dog
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Optional Information:
Age: 7; Male; Breed: German Shepherd Dog

Already Tried:
Nothing - just diagnosed and sent home with a high fiber diet and awaiting results on a biopsy. Need to know what we can do to alieve the frequent urge and inability to defecate. Does pass some feces, but tries every 30 min or so. And is in pain-vet is out of town

Accepted Answer

There is some evidence this can be caused by a babesia infection and treating for that may help cure this
http://www.shilohgtf.com/Perianal%20Fistula.htm
showing this may be a medical treatable issue
http://members.tripod.com/~perianal-fistulas/BABESIOSIS.html
For a long time these were considered inherited problems in some breeds particularly German Shepherds. There are several treatments that seem to resolve these and here are some resources on treatments.
http://www.gsdhelpline.com/perianal.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/1672/australiapfreport.html
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/1672/index.html
The high fiber diet should help with passing stool more easily. You may find walking a bit longer than usual will help keep intestinal content moving resulting in stool passage and more comfort for him.
You can use a sports bottle filled with warm water to help you flush and clean the area after he goes. A coating of plain petroleum jelly over any sore areas will reduce pain from the acids in stool agains the sensitive skin.
Hope this helps you!

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Expert: NancyH
Pos. Feedback: 99.5 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 12/30/2007

Dog Expert:Rescue, Train,Breed,Care

30+ yrs dog home vet care & nursing, rescue, behavior&training, responsible show breeding, genetics

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