196 Surgical Diseases and Surgery of the Dog 



viscous matter of nauseating odor and acid reaction which traverses 

 a short conduit to be discharged by a circular orifice on either side 

 of the margin of the anus. In animals of sedentary habits the 

 secreting surface often becomes inflamed and the character of the 

 secretion altered. The latter, more or less purulent, accumulates 

 and gives rise to a swelling or chronic discharge, which in house 

 dogs is particularly objectionable. When an accumulation occurs, 

 the animal by its own efforts sometimes succeeds in relieving itself, 

 but if the matter finds no outlet, it is apt to break through the skin 

 immediately outside the anus and discharge externally, forming a 

 fistula. If thorough discharge takes place, the fistulous tract may 

 close and spontaneous healing follow in the course of a few days. 

 Recurrence is not uncommon. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. The subject of this disease first 

 suffers from pruritis, from which relief is sought by constant lick- 

 ing or biting at the anus or dragging it along the floor. In this 

 manner the matter may be expelled. Defecation, being painful, 

 may be suppressed, and may lead to coprostasis, but there is often 

 straining in the defecatory posture in an attempt to expel the matter 

 which must not be confounded with defecatory efforts. Digital 

 palpation of the parts reveals a tense or fluctuating enlargement, 

 which is hot and very sensitive to pressure. Sometimes the matter 

 finds almost continuous vent at the anus. 



Treatment. Expulsion of the contained matter must be 

 brought about by local pressure exerted by the thumb and index 

 finger on either side of the anus. This procedure should be re- 

 peated for a week or two as often as the sac fills, and if the disease 

 then shows no sign of abating an injection of strong corrective 

 solution must be made within the pouches in the following manner : 

 Secure the animal firmly in the ventral position and dilate the 

 anus with a speculum, the two blades being inserted superiorly and 

 inferiorly respectively, so that the excretory orifice of the two sacs 

 will be in view on either side immediately within the anus. Armed 

 with an aspirating syringe containing some peroxide of hydrogen, 

 and to which a fine nozzle is attached, direct the latter in turn 

 within each excretory orifice to the depth, of the pouches. Inject 

 the peroxide, withdraw the nozzle and squeeze out the frothing 

 matter by extranal pressure. Cleanse the parts with a wad of ab- 

 sorbent cotton in the grasp of hemostatic forceps; Then fill the 



