Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Anal sac content differences in normal dogs and dogs with skin disease
By Pappalardo, Ersilia et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2002·Studio Dermatologico Veterinario, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Macroscopic, cytological and bacteriological evaluation of anal sac content in normal dogs and in dogs with selected dermatological diseases.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with skin issues, including pyoderma and atopic dermatitis, were examined for problems with their anal sacs. Researchers found that while the size and appearance of the anal sac contents were similar in healthy dogs and those with skin diseases, sick dogs had more bacteria present. Specifically, 40% of dogs with pyoderma had bacteria inside their anal sacs, compared to just 2.5% of healthy dogs. The study highlighted that dogs with skin infections had a higher presence of certain immune cells, indicating inflammation. Overall, the findings suggest that anal sac health can be affected by skin conditions, but the specific bacteria present were similar across both healthy and affected dogs.
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Abstract
Macroscopic and cytological aspects of anal sac content were evaluated in 40 normal dogs and 10 dogs each with pyoderma, Malassezia dermatitis associated with atopic dermatitis and uncomplicated atopic dermatitis. Bacteria isolated from anal sacs were compared with those from abdominal skin and hair in 20 normal dogs and 10 dogs with pyoderma. There was no difference between the groups in anal sac dimension, or in the colour, consistency or presence of granules in their content. Extracellular bacteria were found in higher numbers in diseased animals, whereas intracellular bacteria were observed in 40% of dogs with pyoderma and in only 2.5% of normal dogs. Malassezia spp. were present in 15.7% of dogs, with no difference between groups. Neutrophils were observed in 12.5% of normal dogs, 30% of dogs with Malassezia dermatitis with underlying atopic dermatitis and in 70 and 80% of dogs with pyoderma and uncomplicated atopic dermatitis, respectively. Seven bacterial species were isolated from anal sacs, with no difference between normal dogs and dogs with pyoderma. In five normal animals and in four dogs with pyoderma the same bacterial strains were isolated from anal sacs and from abdominal skin and hair.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12464064/