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Treatment

Surgery is usually indicated for the effective management of polyps. The polyps may be removed through the anal opening, after which the anal opening will be closed with stitches. The same removal surgery may be performed endoscopically, or by using an electrical needle or probe. Some medications that may be prescribed are:

• Non-steroidal pain relievers
• Antibiotics (especially before surgery to prevent infection)
• Stool softeners

Possible complications include a relapse of the polyps and narrowing of the anal opening due to scarring and/or inflammation.

Living and Management

Your veterinarian will want to examine the surgical site after 14 days to make sure that the condition has been resolved and the tissue is healing properly.

Another examination will be made at three months, and again at six months after surgery. Follow-up examinations will continue twice a year to check for recurrence. Dogs with single polyps usually do not relapse, those with multiple or diffuse lesions are at a much higher risk for recurrence.