Rectal prolapse is eversion of one or more layers of the rectum through the anus, almost always because something has made the dog strain hard and often. In dogs it is mostly a problem of young, heavily parasitized or diarrheic puppies, and the prolapse itself is the easy part: the exam question is usually whether the mass is really rectum, and what made the puppy strain.
Key facts
Anal disease (rectal prolapse) at a glance- Species and system: dog (also cat, pig, sheep, cattle, horse); gastrointestinal, rectum and anus.
- Cause: persistent tenesmus from intestinal, urogenital or perineal disease, or loss of nerve supply to the external anal sphincter.
- Classic case: a young puppy with diarrhea and worms that has a red, cylindrical mass at the anus.
- Two types: incomplete (mucosa only) and complete (all layers of the rectal wall).
- Must rule out: a prolapsed ileocolic intussusception, which needs abdominal surgery.
- Not zoonotic and not reportable in itself, although some of the parasites behind it (roundworms, hookworms) are zoonotic.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention and control
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 3 figures, 3 self-test questions and 15 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.