A brief overview of anal sac retention syndrome
Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, explains anal sac retention syndrome is and which dogs are most at risk
In this video, Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD, practicing dermatologist with the Animal Dermatology Group in Louisville, Kentucky, and star of the National Geographic Wild television series Pop Goes the Vet with Dr Joya provides a brief overview of her session “Anal Sac Retention Syndrome: When to Treat, When to Cut,” presented at the Fetch dvm360 conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. In the video, Griffin explains what the condition is, what diagnosis and treatment entails, and which dogs are most at risk.
Below is the transcript:
Joya Griffin, DVM, DACVD: Anal sac retention syndrome is an interesting disease that as a dermatologist, I didn't really think I was going to have to do a lot of anal sac disease, and I do a ton. Because it's so multifactorial, it can be related to diet, the weight of the animals. Certain breeds are more likely to have anal sac issues. And then, because I treat a lot of allergies, food hypersensitivity and environmental allergies can cause issues with perianal pruritus and anal sac retention.
So it's really this whole kind of disease process, and we have to kind of figure out in that individual pet what the actual cause is. So, it can be a little challenging. I do like to do cytologies on my anal sac expressions to make sure that the patients don't have anal sac infection. And I do a lot of infusions and systemic therapy to treat those cases as well. So it's a whole, it's kind of a fun thing to do.
Retention syndrome is a little bit more common in smaller breed dogs. So I think about the little 'Fufus', anything that has to go to the groomer on a regular basis. So small, compact dogs and dogs that are overweight, which is a lot of our pet patients.
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