Evaluation of once daily treatment with cyclosporine for anal furunculosis in dogs

Abstract

Twenty-four dogs with anal furunculosis were treated with cyclosporine once daily for 13 weeks at dosages of 1.5, 3.0, 5.0 or 7.5 mg/kg, and re-examined after six and 12 months. After 13 weeks the disease in six of the dogs was in remission, 11 were controlled or improved and seven had failed to respond. The response of the dogs given the highest dose was significantly better than the response of the other groups taken together (P< 0.014), and better than the responses of the groups given 1.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg (P < 0.05). The dogs improved clinically during the treatment, most rapidly during the first five weeks. Of the six dogs that were in remission after 13 weeks, three relapsed after one, two and six months. The 11 dogs that were improved or controlled after 13 weeks were either left untreated or were continued on cyclosporine medication for one to three months at a dosage of 1.5 to 7.5 mg/kg; the disease went into remission in four cases and remained controlled in the other seven, but four of the 11 cases relapsed during the 12 months following the treatment. The side effects observed included increased coat turnover and transient vomiting.

The role of surgery in the management of canine anal furunculosis. A review of the literature and a retrospective evaluation of treatment by surgical resection in 51 dogs

“…Alternatively, AF may be the result of T-cell dysfunction (Killingsworth 1988b;Day 1993 lies in the response of AF to T-cell-directed medications such as cyclosporine and in results of recent cytokine assays Griffi ths et al 1999;Mouatt 2002;Patricelli et al 2002;Doust et al 2003;House et al 2003;O'Neill et al 2004;Hardie et al 2005). The possibility also exists that AF is a result of professional antigen-presenting cell dysfunction with subsequent dysregulation of T-and B-effectorcell function.…”

“…Although the exact molecular mechanisms of its initiation have not been fully elucidated, many recent studies have described the positive response of AF to immunosuppressive therapies such as prednisolone, cyclosporine and azathioprine, making an immune-mediated cause highly probable (Harkin et al 1996;Griffi ths et al 1999;Tisdall et al 1999;Misseghers et al 2000;Mouatt 2002;Patricelli et al 2002;Doust et al 2003;Robson and Burton 2003;O'Neill et al 2004;Hardie et al 2005). For this reason, conservative treatment strategies for the medical management of AF, such as systemic and/or topical antibiotics, topical antiseptics, hair clipping, faecal softeners, hydrotherapy and dietary modifi cation (e.g.…”

“…Clinical signs of AF include tenesmus, haematodyschezia, excessive licking of the perianum, tail chasing, fl atulence, weight loss, lethargy, faecal incontinence, constipation or diarrhoea, a malodorous purulent discharge, pain on tail elevation, and abnormal tail carriage Welsh 2001;Mouatt 2002;Doust et al 2003). Whilst the condition may be found incidentally, it is often well advanced before veterinary advice is sought.…”

“…AF most commonly affects German Shepherd dogs (GSDs), but several other breeds are also over-represented, most notably GSD crosses, Irish Setters, Labrador Retrievers, Old English Sheepdogs, and Collies (Welsh 2001;Doust et al 2003). A genetic predisposition with autosomal recessive inheritance has been suggested (DH Scarff 1 , pers.…”

“…This, combined with variable and often disappointing surgical success rates, especially with respect to lesion recurrence and the development of faecal incontinence, has led to wider use of immunosuppressive drug therapy for the treatment of canine AF in recent times. However, medical therapies, too, have yet to be refi ned with respect to affordability, effi cacy and morbidity (Gregory et al 1991;Dahlinger et al 1998;Woolridge et al 1998 Griffi ths et al 1999;Plumb 2002;Doust et al 2003;Blackwood et al 2004;Hardie et al 2005).…”