Registered: Aug 2004
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1559

The old dog has a pretty severe case of Perianal Fistulas, my vet of 20+ years recommends getting him neutered and to start treatment immediately.

From what I've read there is no true cure, has anyone ever dealt with this before and what was the outcome?

Last edited by dogfaceNH on 07-04-2010 at 12:11 AM

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Registered: Mar 2009
Location: s.c.
Posts: 6984

Is this a joke? Sounds more like something on a horse!

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Registered: Aug 2004
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1559

I wish it was a joke. It's actually an infectious bacteria that gets into the glands of the anus of dogs more commonly between the ages of 5 and 8 and trust me...it's not pretty and can be extremely painful to the dog.

At this point I have two females to breed to him next week, after that he will be neutered and treatments will start. As long as he is comfortable he will continue to do the things he has always done, if treatments don't work I may have to make one of the toughest decisions of my life.

I've had dozens of dogs in my 25 years of hunting with hounds, this one is in the top two. No joke!

Looking for input from others who have dealt with this. wd

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Registered: Nov 2009
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Posts: 293

It's no joke!!

It's a terrible condition and a shame for it to happen to any dog. Wayne, you know what I did and what my opinion is. I'm hoping people post some useful information on here, I'd be very interested if anyone has a different outcome than what I did.

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Registered: Aug 2004
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1559

Yeah I know, thanks. wd

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Registered: Mar 2009
Location: s.c.
Posts: 6984

I'm real sorry about that.I never heard of it. Are you going to save semen? Hope you get some good advice.

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Registered: Mar 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 19374

... Sending some prayers your way! I just looked it up online and... I have to say right now I"m glad my bluedawg is dealing with cancer issues... and not that! It is so awful to have them sick in ANY way but that looks so VERY uncomfortable!
Can't help you at all but I can assure you we will pray for that wonderful dog... As much as we're working hard here praying for our own... Bob and I can surely share Lots of prayers...

Hope you can get him comfortable and if I do some more reading later and find any more info I"ll get it to you. I used to have GSDs and it's common with them... if any of my old breeder friends have knowledge I'll pass it on to you...

SOrry you are going thru this Wayne, Heather

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Registered: Aug 2004
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1559

Thanks Heather, needless to say I'm pretty bummed. I've still been hunting him 3 nights a week and he doesn't skip a beat but I can tell it's really starting to bother him.

He has a date with a couple of beautiful young ladies this coming week so hopefully he will throw alot of himself into his pups and I will still have a piece of him in my kennel for years to come.

Last edited by dogfaceNH on 07-04-2010 at 04:56 AM

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Registered: Nov 2009
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Looks like these days Cryosurgury is an option. I read 2 articles that mention freezing of the fistulated tissue, so if falls off and new tissue will begin to grow back in. I'm not sure what the cost of it would be but maybe it wouldn't be too bad? I would think you'd have to use a muzzle or cone to keep a dog from picking at it, and maybe use stool softeners for a while until it's healed sufficiently. I know a good animal surgeon you could check with, he's on family vacation but gets back Wed. I think. In the meantime maybe lidocaine ointment, or even Solar-caine for sunburns might help with the pain down there until ya decide what to do (2% lidocaine ointment dulls pain...Solar-caine is aloe and 1% lidocaine jelly).

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Registered: Sep 2006
Location: Hatfield Indiana
Posts: 386

You might try a vet that practices Western Medicine (Herbs), I have never had a Coon Dog with it but I am a K9 Officer and our Second Dog got peranal Fistulas, His Vet said there is no Cure they have to Castrate him, but its not a Cure but it may Prolong it, My Vet Practices Western Medicine, she said there is no cure but Castration is the Very Last and Extreme Option, She began him on HERBS, IT is Expensive Process, the dog was 10 yr old and started acting like a year old, Unfortunatly they had to put him down 6 months later he was completely eat up internally and started suffering Bad again, they tell me its caused From MOISTURE dogs that are more prone to it carry their tell Down not letting the air dry the anal region, it looks like they have Little sore holes around the Butt hole, i do wish you the best of luck with him,

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Registered: Jul 2003
Location: DRYDEN,MI.
Posts: 769

THIS IS A CANCER AND IF IT HAS SPREAD ; YOU WILL HAVE TO HAVE HIM PUT DOWN . I HAD A MALE WITH THIS YEARS AGO AND BEFORE I KNEW IT HE HAD TO HAVE EXTENSIVE SURGERY TO REBUILD HIS ANUS . IN DOING SO THEY HAD TO REMOVE SO MUCH TISSUE AND MUSCLE HE COULD NOT GET THROUGH FENCES OR TREE . I FELT SO SORRY FOR HIM I HAD HIM PUT TO SLEEP .

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Registered: Aug 2004
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1559

Thank you all. I pretty much know where this is headed and I agree. I guess I'll just have to cross each bridge as I come to them using the guidance of my vet while certainly taking into consideration his comfort and actions as well as my expense.

He is one of my all time best which just makes this more frustrating! Thanks again. wd

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: ALABAMA
Posts: 5183

Perianal Fistulas is not cancer............those with it have a high chance of developing cancer.......but is not a cancer. Just a like a dog with Cryptorchidism is not cancer but high chance of developing cancer.

Last edited by Buckshot on 07-04-2010 at 04:18 PM

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Registered: Feb 2008
Location: BROOKFIELD, MA.
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Wayne I've never heard or seen Perianal Fistulas in all my years with hounds...I have read up on it since your post and it can be treated even severe cases although it may re-occur at any time..I would suggest calling Tufts Vet School (508-839-5395) for advice before you have him treated by a vet..These folks arn't cheap but they are the best in New England..Good luck with your ole boy..

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Registered: Mar 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 19374

quote:

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Originally posted by MATTY G
Wayne I've never heard or seen Perianal Fistulas in all my years with hounds...I have read up on it since your post and it can be treated even severe cases although it may re-occur at any time..I would suggest calling Tufts Vet School (508-839-5395) for advice before you have him treated by a vet..These folks arn't cheap but they are the best in New England..Good luck with your ole boy..

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I agree on Tufts... actually we just left my bluedawg at Tufts emerg. in Walpole for the night... His vet there has a redbone. I know he's in good hands there and also found out that they can do chemo there for him if he indeed has to go thru that. Today he is having blood transfusions since he's not healing from his bone marrow tests....

Wayne, I know how awful you must feel and we will keep our fingers crossed and pray that you get THAT pup from him. Praying even more that you can treat and save HIM! I know we're taking a HUGE financial hit right now, and it will change our lives(and make us not able to go to wonderful events in NH for a while...) BUT... we are in a situtation where we can take the little saving we have and do this. It wont take from the kids, since they have some college money of their own... But I know the FINANCIAL decisions can make our vet decisions even worse! I feel heart ache when someone can't afford to help their Buddy....
Take care of yourself and enjoy your time with him!
Heather

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