Anal Sac Disease

Anal sac disease in dogs

“…Streptococci, staphylococci, micrococci, Escherichia coli , Proteus species, Clostridium species, Bacillus species, Pseudomonas species and Malassezia species have all been isolated (Thompson 2000, Pappalardo and others 2002, Robson and others 2003, Lake and others 2004). The presence of blood in anal sac secretions has been found in dogs with ASD (Hill and Smeak 2002, Aronson 2012, Culp 2013).…”

“…The medical treatment of inflammatory ASD has not been well described or investigated in the literature. However, anecdotally, the majority of anal sac impactions and infections respond to conservative management (Aronson 2012, Culp 2013). Halnan (1976b) described repeated manual expression of the anal sacs with systemic empirical antibiotics.…”

“…Surgical removal of the anal sacs (anal sacculectomy) is advised if anal sac impaction, sacculitis or abscessation is recurrent (Hill and Smeak 2002, Aronson 2012, Culp 2013, Charlesworth 2014). Infection and inflammation should be medically managed before surgery, although previous antibiotic treatment, abscessation and recurrence have not been associated with increased surgical complications (Aronson 2012, Charlesworth 2014).…”

“…The skin can be closed with subdermal sutures or skin sutures (Fig 6). This technique should be avoided for neoplastic cases, as neoplastic anal sac masses should all be excised at the same time to avoid contaminating the surgical field with neoplastic cells (Culp 2013).…”

“…The rectum is closed in two layers with continuous or interrupted appositional sutures in monofilament, absorbable, fine (1.5 or 2 metric) suture material. The patient should be monitored closely in the postoperative period as dehiscence of the rectal wall can result in septic peritonitis (Culp 2013).…”