My GSD has had analfuruncolosis for over 3 years. There has been changes in medication over this time and it is no better. It is supposed to be fairly common in GSDs. Can anyone give me there experiences with this condition?

Hi Bev

I had an Afghan with this a few years ago. Antibiotics etc would clear it for a time and then it came back. Eventualy my vet tried cryo surgery. She had it done twice but the second time he went deeper than the first and this seemed to work as she never had the problem again.

You may find this of some interest: ANAL FURUNCULOSIS

We have a GSD where I work (at a vets) who had anal furunculosis that wasn't responding to any treatment. He was put onto a very expensive treatment (medication cost £400 a time) but it seems to be the only treatment that works for the problem.
I'm back in work on Friday so I'll check the exact name of the medication for you then.

Got the info for you today Bev.

The medication used was Neoral Solution 100mg/ml. The GSD was on it for three or four months and got through 4 x 50ml bottles.

Thank you for the information. I really appreciate it. I will check with my Vet about Neoral Solution. There is a drug, cyclosporin, which is recommended here (Australia) and it is extremely expensive too. Unfortunately, nothing is 100%, and I can't afford these medications. Trudy is now on 40mg Prednisolone twice daily. She is a large dog! This will be for about 3 weeks and then hopefully reduce the dosage. She has responded well to this a couple of years ago. Cross fingers that this works this time.

I have just heard from the owner of a "puppy" I bred (he is 5 now) that he has furunculosis. He had diarrhea and was vomiting faeces which sounds awful. He has always had a very sensitive digestion (as has his mother) but this is new. He has been prescribed Nizoral which seems to be an antifungal drug and Neoral - which was given to the owner with gloves and a mask but no instructions as to why they were needed! From what I have seen on the internet Neoral is a very powerful drug - is it dangerous to touch? Are there any side effects for the dog? And does anyone know what the prognosis is for this condition?

Ben had puppy head glands disease as a puppy (thought to be immune related) and his mother now has hypothyroidism (she tested clear before she was bred - developed a couple of years later). Is there evidence that this condition is immune related and/or genetic? Ben is a Maremma and I have never heard of this in the breed before (though autoimmune problems seem to be cropping up far too often... :(

If anyone has any information that I can pass on I would be very grateful.

Best wishes
Janet

Like Sue's Afghan, my GSD had cyro-surgery and also the removal of her anal glands....this was four years ago, now, and touching wood, she's never had a reoccurance. Antibiotics etc, did nothing for her.
Good luck with your dog, Bev, I hope you find a successful treatment, too :)

Hi Bev,

I had a GSD who had Anal Furunculosis and it was cured by Cryosurgery. I am going back about 18 - 20 years but if it worked then I am sure it would work now. Several years after my dog was treated I heard of a Police Dog diagnosed with the same complaint and I suggested that they approach the Vet who had treated my dog and I gather that this dog was also cured.
I was living in London at the time and my vet was Keith Butt, in Kynaston Mews, Kensington, London but I dont know whether he is still practicing.

Best of luck with your dog.

Nita