treatment for perianal fisture

Question
we are in a dilema about how to proceed with treatment for our 3yr. G.S. who has been diagnosed with perianal fistures. We did the first course of antibiotics withno results. The Dr. is now recommending Cyclosporine which is extremely  expensive (especially for the course of treatment) not to mention the danger to the person who admimisters it. My concern is that it will not solve the problem and the chance of reoccurence is possible.
Any advice or experience would  be helpful.
                 Thanks, K.T.

P.S. The vet also  recommended having her spayed.

Answer
Hi, I am sorry to hear about your GSD.  Here is an excellent site on Perianal Fistulas.  http://members.tripod.com/~perianal-fistulas/MatthewsReport.html

It really covers a lot about the use of Cyclosporine (including the lab work you should do while it is being used).  I have never heard of a vet recommending a female to be spayed to help Perianal Fistulas.  Unless she goes through a lot of false pregancies (where she basically is getting swollen back there a lot more than every 6 months) I see no real reason as to that thought process.  I'm not a vet though, so maybe he has some other reason to recommend she gets spayed.  I hope this web site helps as it is very informative.

Good luck.

Dawn