Are you dreaming, or is there really a red tubular structure coming out of your dog’s anus? Can your puppy have hemorrhoids? At the end of the day, puppies are not sitting on the couch watching Netflix all day.
If you suspect your dog “might watch movies” when you’re not home – take him to the vet. And if the vet mentions a medical term – “rectal prolapse”, which you can’t pronounce, we will help you.
We’re here to explain a thing or two about rectal prolapse in dogs and how to treat it.
What Is a Rectal Prolapse In Dogs?
Rectal prolapse in dogs is generally uncommon among dogs; it is a bulging of the anorectal tissue. This means that the rectal tissue will exit the dog’s body via the anus.
This leakage is usually caused by a great deal of stress and/or pressure. This bulge is most commonly seen in cases of severe constipation, severe diarrhea, fecal obstruction, anorectal blockage, or bladder restriction. This type of herniation can also occur during a dog’s pregnancy or delivery because of increased pressure from the abdomen.
There are two different kinds of prolapse based upon this externalized tissue, including:
- Partial Prolapse: The least severe type of anal incontinence in puppies is incomplete prolapse and it affects only a small portion of the anal canal lining.
- Complete prolapse: A more severe condition in which the prolapse is visible.
It exists in both male and female dogs, but it is more common in females, primarily because of the act of giving birth. Labor is a process where a lot of pressure is applied to the whole abdomen, especially the lower parts, where the uterus and the rectus are located.
Signs And Symptoms of Rectal Prolapse
Prolapsed tissue in dogs is distinguished by an apparent bulbous, tubular mass poking up from the rectal opening. Because feces is usually the only thing to come out of this entrance, a pink or red load is difficult to miss.
When a partial rectal prolapse occurs, you may only notice the bulging tissue when your dog is straining to defecate, and the prolapse will return to its normal position once the dog is finished.
However, when a complete prolapse occurs, the tissue will continue to protrude from the rectum yet after your dog has finished defecating.
If your puppy has a rectal prolapse, it may scoot its hind end, and if this tissue tears or becomes too inflamed and irritated, blood may be seen.
Signs include:
- Scooting the hind end
- Having trouble defecating
- Bleeding from the anus
- Pink or red bulbous tubular mass coming out of the anus.
Rectal prolapse is both worrisome and difficult to miss. You’ll notice a pink or red bulge or tube of flesh tissue protruding from your dog’s anus as it moves stool; in case the prolapse is drastic enough – the tissue protrudes constantly.
You’ll probably notice signs of discomfort in addition to the noticeable prolapse. Most dogs will drag their hindquarters along the ground to relieve pain, and there may be blood if the tissues are severely agitated or torn.
Typically, your dog will strain to pass stool, remaining hunched for an extended period and appearing distressed or uncomfortable. If the prolapse is severe, the stool may not pass at all.
Causes of Rectal Prolapse In Dogs
Dogs’ rectal prolapse is most commonly caused by parasitic infections, but several other possibilities exist.
The condition most commonly affects puppies under the age of six months, but it can affect puppies of any age.
Bellow we have listed some of the most common causes that can lead to prolapsed tissue:
- Diarrhea
- Rectal deviation
- Constipation
- Attempting to defecate
- Irritation or inflammation of the intestinal tract
- Anal sac inflammation
- Abnormal labor or birthing process
- Infections caused by bacteria or viruses
- Prostate enlargement and prostate disease
- Anal or rectal neoplasms
- Inflammation of the bladder
- Urinary stones
- Perineal hernia
- Rectal or anal constriction (caused by tissue scar from injury or inflammation)
Other Possible Causes
Here are the other rare but possible causes of dog rectal prolapse, clearly explained:
Rectal Cancer
Rectal tumors can be benign or malignant. If the tumor is malignant and/or meddling with the dog’s daily life, surgical removal is the predominant treatment option.
However, surgical resection is not always practical if the tumor had spread beyond the rectum even before signs were noticed.
This disorder is characterized by a dog’s stretching and painful defecation, as well as bright red blood in the fecal matter and diarrhea.
Furthermore, rectal polyps are lesions that appear in the rectal area. This is not a common occurrence in dogs, and when it does occur, it is usually harmless. The unfortunate thing is that, in general, the larger the polyp, the more likely it will lead to malignancy.
Anal Sac Syndrome
The anal sacs are found on either side of the anus and can be affected by this illness. This condition most frequently affects the dog’s anal opening.
Defecation becomes challenging when the anal sacs become clogged, inflamed, abscessed, or even malignant. Other symptoms in this situation include soreness or discomfort when sitting, scooting the buttocks on the ground, as well as licking or biting at the anal region.
Internal Fistula
The most noticeable symptoms are persistent, foul-smelling lesions in the tissues surrounding the anus, which are more frequently seen in German Shepherds and less often in Setters and Retrievers (the etiology is unclear).
Perianal Hernia
Male dogs between 6 and 8 years who have not been neutered are more likely to develop this hernia around the anus. The most common breeds predisposed to perianal hernia are Boston Terriers, Welsh Corgis, Boxers, Collies, Kelpies, Dachshunds, Old English Sheepdogs, and Pekingese.
Narrowing And Tearing Of The Anorectum
These are narrowings of the rectal area brought on by scar tissue from trauma or injuries caused by foreign objects, or they could be an effect of inflammation. This form typically involves the rectal and anal area.
When a dog swallows a sharp foreign bodies such as a bone, needle, or other abrasive substance, it may result in both anal and rectal disorders.
How Is Dogs Rectal Prolapse Diagnosed?
Rectal or anal prolapse in dogs must be diagnosed with a complete physical examination, which includes manual rectal exam.
Tissue may be visibly extending through the anus in an extended tube in cases of severe total prolapse. Depending on the period of exposure, these tissues may be enlarged or discolored.
Both abdominal X-rays and ultrasound exams are crucial diagnostic techniques. Another option for diagnosing dogs with rectal prolapse that has been proven to be very effective is colonoscopy. These devices enable your veterinarian to recognize the following:
- A mass or obstruction in the bowel
- Stones in the kidney or urethra
- Increase in bladder wall thickness
- Prostate enlargement in males
- Fetuses that have been retained in recently-bred females.
It is necessary to perform a fecal exam by taking a fecal sample to look for parasites after the physical examination is over. A laboratory analysis must be done on your dog’s blood to see if the white blood cells are rising and to determine the complete blood count, which indicates a bacterial infection.
Treatment of Rectal Prolapses In Dogs
Restoring the projecting rectal and anal tissue to its usual spot is the primary goal of treatment. As a result, there will be a minor injury or tissue necrosis.
Replacement of the protruding tissue must be done by a board-certified veterinary surgeon, and it frequently necessitates general anesthesia.
After administering an anesthetic to your dog, the veterinary technician will gently massage the exposed area with lubricant gels or apply a topical solution of 50% dextrose to reduce the swelling.
This will assist in reducing the herniated tissue and restoring it to the anus’s normal anatomical position.
A purse-string stitch should be applied around the small portion of the anorectal tissue – the anal orifice. For 5-7 days after the prolapse has been minimized and is back in place to stop it from happening again.
Rectal tissue that is dead or dying may need to be removed surgically in cases of severe prolapse. Your veterinarian will remove the affected tissue using resection and anastomosis (reconnecting the ends of the rectum where the dead tissue was cut away).
The home treatment of rectal prolapse includes treatment with pain medications, antibiotics, stool softeners, as well as e-collars to prevent licking or chewing the surgical resection area.
This procedure is intended to eliminate dead tissue, lower the possibility of tissue damage going forward to the anal opening, and lower the chances of sepsis, a dangerous inflammatory reaction.
Anal prolapse occurs in dogs because of a few underlying reasons that must be treated concurrently with the prolapse:
Bowel Obstruction
If the cause of the prolapse is a foreign body that has clogged the bowel, it should be removed surgically at the same time as the prolapse treatment. By doing this, additional damage to the tissue will be avoided to the other healthy parts of the bowel.
Urethral obstruction
While your dog is under anesthesia and having surgery, the obstruction of the urethra should also be solved. This will avoid straining and prevent further damage to the bladder and the urethra.
Difficulty giving birth
If the female dog is pregnant and about giving birth, and the puppy cannot be pushed out because of other causes, it will also require surgical removal. This removal is called a cesarean section and will be provided by the veterinarian.
If this lasts longer, it can lead to potential uterus rupture, dog’s exhaustion, and puppy death.
Enlarged prostate
Male dogs who are not neutered can suffer from an enlarged prostate, which could further cause rectal prolapse. This type of enlargement causes straining since it obstructs the urine flow through the urinary passage system.
FAQ:
Conclusion
Rectal prolapse in dogs is not a very common pathology in dogs but can be found mainly in females. It is a bulging of the anorectal tissue, which causes it to come outside the anal opening. Many provoking factors may indulge it, which is why two types of it exist. As soon as you notice any changes around the anal area, take your dog to a vet.
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*photo by guys_who_shoot – depositphotos