Rectal Prolapse in Dogs: Causes and Treatment

Rectal prolapse in dogs occurs when rectal tissue protrudes through the anus, often after repeated straining to poop or urinate. A prolapsed rectum in dogs is a medical emergency and requires prompt veterinary care.

Early treatment can help prevent tissue damage or death, and some dogs may require surgery, particularly if the prolapse recurs.

What Is Rectal Prolapse in Dogs?

Rectal prolapse in dogs is a condition in which rectal tissue protrudes through the anus. It is usually caused by repeated straining while pooping and/or peeing.

A prolapsed rectum in dogs is a medical emergency and requires prompt veterinary care.

Types of Rectal Prolapse in Dogs

There are two types of rectal prolapse in dogs: partial prolapse and complete prolapse.

• Partial prolapse: Only a small portion of the anal and/or rectal tissue protrudes through the dog's anus. The tissue may only be visible while the dog is straining and then spontaneously return to its normal position inside the rectum.
• Complete prolapse: All the anal tissue and some of the rectal tissue and lining protrude through the dog's anus, even when the dog is not straining. The tissue does not spontaneously return to its normal position.

Prolapsed tissue often appears bright red and may look like a swollen tube because it's filled with fluid.

A prolapsed rectum in dogs is a medical emergency.

When caught early, rectal prolapse in dogs can often be treated but may require surgery, especially if it recurs. If left untreated, the prolapsed tissue can die, which can lead to a potentially life-threatening situation.

What Are the Symptoms of Rectal Prolapse in Dogs?

Symptoms of rectal prolapse in dogs can include straining during defecation and/or urination, along with dehydration, diarrhea, weight loss, painful defecation, decreased energy or appetite, and abdominal pain.

Symptoms may include:

• Dehydration
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Painful defecation (dyschezia)
• Decreased energy
• Decreased appetite
• Abdominal pain

What Causes Rectal Prolapse in Dogs?

Rectal prolapse in dogs is commonly caused by repeated straining due to severe diarrhea, chronic constipation, parasites, or inflammation of the intestinal tract (enteritis).

Other causes of rectal prolapse in dogs may include:

• Straining to pee because of a urethral obstruction or enlarged prostate gland
• Bowel obstruction caused by something unusual your dog ate or another foreign object
• Straining in pregnant dogs with dystocia (difficult birth)
• Birth defects in your dog's anatomy
• Rectal polyps (clumps of cells)
• Tumors in the rectum or anus
• Severe dehydration

How Is Rectal Prolapse in Dogs Diagnosed?

Veterinarians diagnose rectal prolapse in dogs with a complete physical examination, including manually feeling the rectum, and may use imaging, a fecal examination, and blood work to identify the underlying cause.

X-rays and/or abdominal ultrasound can help your veterinarian identify:

• An obstruction or mass in your dog's bowel
• Kidney or urethral stones
• Thickening of the bladder wall
• Enlargement of the prostate in male dogs
• Retained fetuses in female dogs that have recently given birth

Fecal examination: A fecal examination should be completed to check for parasites.

Blood work: Blood work can help identify an elevated white blood cell count, which can signal inflammation or widespread infection.

How Is Rectal Prolapse in Dogs Treated?

The main goal of treatment for rectal prolapse in dogs is to return the protruding rectal and anal tissue to its normal position, reducing damage and the risk of tissue death.

Reducing the Rectal Prolapse

General anesthesia is often required to replace the prolapsed tissue. Once your dog is under anesthesia, the veterinarian will gently massage the exposed tissue with lubricant gels or apply a topical 50% dextrose solution to reduce swelling.

This helps return the prolapsed tissue to its normal anatomic position through the anus.

Once the prolapse is reduced and back in place, a purse-string suture (a special type of stitch) should be placed around the anal opening for five to seven days to help prevent recurrence.

Surgery for Severe Rectal Prolapse

In severe cases, dead or dying rectal tissue may need to be surgically removed.

Your veterinarian will use resection (cutting out the tissue) and anastomosis (reconnecting the ends of the rectum where the dead tissue was removed).

This surgery removes dead tissue and reduces the risk of further tissue damage and a serious inflammatory reaction called sepsis.

Surgery to fix a prolapsed rectum in dogs typically costs between $2,000 and $6,000.

Treating the Underlying Cause

Some underlying causes of rectal prolapse must also be addressed at the same time as the prolapse.

• Bowel obstruction: If a foreign body obstruction caused the prolapse, it should be addressed at the same time to avoid additional damage to other sections of the bowel.
• Urethral obstruction: A urethral obstruction should also be addressed while your dog is anesthetized to avoid continued straining and prevent damage or rupture of the urinary bladder and urethra.
• Dystocia: Pregnant dogs with a puppy they cannot push out require emergency surgical intervention to safely remove the puppy through a cesarean section (C-section).
  • Prolonged straining during a difficult birth can lead to maternal exhaustion, potential rupture of the uterus, and possible death of the puppy.
• Enlarged prostate: Intact (not neutered) male dogs with rectal prolapse should be evaluated for an enlarged prostate, which can cause straining by partially obstructing urine flow through the urethra.
  • Most dogs will require neutering to help prevent recurrence and reduce the size of the prostate.

Can You Treat Rectal Prolapse in Dogs at Home?

No. Do not attempt to fix your dog's prolapsed rectum at home. Anesthesia is often required to manually return the rectal tissue to its normal position.

You can help lessen complications by preventing your dog from licking or chewing the exposed tissue and keeping the area clean and moist with saline.

Recovery and Management of Rectal Prolapse in Dogs

Full recovery from rectal prolapse in dogs is possible, but after the prolapse is resolved, the underlying cause must also be addressed.

Parasite management: If a fecal examination is positive for parasites, your dog should be dewormed and placed on monthly oral or topical heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention to reduce the likelihood of reinfection.

Post-surgical management: Stool softeners and a low-residue diet may be recommended after surgery to help your dog pass bowel movements more easily.

Recurrent rectal prolapse: Dogs with recurrent rectal prolapse may require a colopexy for long-term management. A colopexy is a surgery in which the veterinarian attaches the dog's colon to the left side of the abdominal wall so it can't come out through the anus.

How To Prevent Rectal Prolapse in Dogs

The best way to help prevent rectal prolapse in dogs is to avoid or minimize possible causes

Prevention measures include:

• Provide your dog with a healthy, high-quality diet and keep them at a healthy weight.
• Ensure your dog receives monthly flea and heartworm prevention, which also serves as an intestinal dewormer.
• Prevent access to foreign material by blocking access to trash cans and picking up small toys or debris that could be ingested.
• Refrain from feeding your dog people food.

Monitor your dog's urination and defecation habits, and seek veterinary care at the first sign of discomfort or difficulty urinating or defecating, including diarrhea.