Changes

==Description==  

==Description==  

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

A common condition of older small breed dogs, particularly chihuhuas and poodles.

A common condition of older small breed dogs, particularly chihuhuas and poodles.

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

===History and Clinical Signs===

===History and Clinical Signs===

The anal sacs are enlarged and inflammed and often painful. Typically owners report that the animal has been licking the perineal region and scooting. Contents of the anal sac may appear bloody, purulent and may be increased in volume, fever may be present if the sacculitis is severe. If the anal sac ruptures, the tracts will be at the 4 or 8 o'clock positions. See [[Anal Sac Disease - General]] for further signs.

The anal sacs are enlarged and inflamed and often painful. Typically owners report that the animal has been licking the perineal region and scooting. Contents of the anal sac may appear bloody, purulent and may be increased in volume, fever may be present if the sacculitis is severe. If the anal sac ruptures, the tracts will be at the 4 or 8 o'clock positions. See [[Anal Sac Disease - General]] for further signs.

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Due to the pain, sedation or general anaesthetic may be needed to allow expression. After expression the sacs should be flushed followoing cannulation. The glands can be flushed using:

Due to the pain, sedation or general anaesthetic may be needed to allow expression. After expression the sacs should be flushed following cannulation. The glands can be flushed using:

*Lactated Ringer's

*Lactated Ringer's

*Mild antiseptic solution such as 0.05% chlorhexidine.

*Mild antiseptic solution such as 0.05% chlorhexidine.

Following flushing, antibiotics should be used either systemically or topically (with or without the use of a corticosteroid).

Following flushing, antibiotics should be used either systemically or topically (with or without the use of a corticosteroid).

The flushing may need to be repeated at 10-14day intervals until resolution. In severe cases anal sacculectomy may be requires of which an open technique is preferable.

The flushing may need to be repeated at 10-14day intervals until resolution. If recurrent episodes occur anal sacculectomy is indicated. This surgery involves careful dissection and removal of both anal sacs. Two techniques are described 1) closed and 2) open. When performing the closed technique the external anal sphincter muscle is not transected and the lumen of the anal sac remains closed;  hence decreasing the chance of faecal incontinence and local infection following surgery.  Inflammation and fibrosis of the perineal region should be treated prior to surgery as this will also decrease the surgical risk of anal sphincter damage and resultant faecal incontinence.

The main complications of this procedure include faecal incontinence which may be temporary or permanent, scooting, inflammation, infection, dehiscence, tenesmus, rectal prolapse, fistulation, haematochezia, stricture formation and seroma formation.

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

Is usually good, if reccurent episodes occur anal sacculetcomy may be indicated.

Is usually good.

 

 

==References==

==References==

Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C. G. (2009) '''Small Animal Internal Medicine (4th Edition)''' ''Mosby Elsevier''

Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C. G. (2009) '''Small Animal Internal Medicine (4th Edition)''' ''Mosby Elsevier''

Merck & Co (2008) '''The Merck Veterinary Manual'''

Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition) Merial

Foster, A. and Foil, C. (2003) '''BSAVA Manual of Small Animal Dermatology (2nd Edition)''' ''BSAVA''

Foster, A. and Foil, C. (2003) '''BSAVA Manual of Small Animal Dermatology (2nd Edition)''' ''BSAVA''

[[Category:Recto-Anal_-_Pathology]][[Category:To_Do_-_Clinical]]

 

[[Category:To_Do_-_Caz]]

[[Category:Cat]][[Category:Dog]]

 

[[Category:To_Do_-_Review]]

 

 

[[Category:Recto-Anal_-_Pathology]]

 

[[Category:Rectal and Anal Diseases - Cat]][[Category:Rectal and Anal Diseases - Dog]]

[[Category:Expert_Review]]