Rectal prolapse can happen to a dog of any age, size, and gender. It is a symptom of another problem and will need to be taken care of to treat the prolapse. Knowing how to help heal rectal prolapse in your dog can prevent more severe problems from developing. The condition occurs most commonly in farm animals such as cows and pigs but can happen to dogs. Although dog vaginal prolapse can occur in male and female canines, females are put more risk during the birthing process. Let get into the tips for how to heal dog uterine prolapse at home with remedies and vet support.
How to Heal Dog Prolapse at Home?
What is a prolapsed rectum? It occurs when the last part of a dog’s intestinal tract protrudes from the rectal opening. Usually, this happens when the dog strains to defecate, urinate, or give birth. This condition could be caused due to various reasons, including digestive and urinary infections. Do not confuse this symptoms with dog hemorrhoids. Eventually, circulation to the rectum can be compromised, and the rectal tissue can suffer damage. There are two types of rectal prolapse –
- Incomplete prolapse in which only the innermost rectal layer is protruding.
- Complete prolapse in which all the layers of the rectum are protruding.
Rectal Prolapse Symptoms in Dogs
- It is hard to miss a tube-like mass of flesh protruding from the dog’s anus, which would be pink or reddish.
- If the circulation to the rectum has stopped, it may turn purple or black.
- The dog with rectal prolapse will probably strain while trying to defecate and lick the protruding tissue.
Dog Rectal Prolapse Causes in Canines
There are several reasons what causes rectal prolapse in dogs. The most common reasons are – straining to defecate or urinate in both genders and difficulty in the birthing process for females. Straining can occur because of diarrhea, constipation, or an attempt to pass a foreign object. Some of the common causes are –
- Straining to defecate.
- Difficulty in giving birth.
- Intestinal parasites cause irritation or diarrhea and straining due to the passing of long worms.
- Constipation.
- Urinary infections.
- Obesity in dogs can cause the anal sac to fail in emptying fully during excretion.
- Prostate disease.
- Pelvic muscle weakness.
- Swallowing sharp or rough things that could cause abrasions in the tissue.
- Bacterial infection.
- Cancer.
- Stones in the urinary tract.
- Perineal hernia.
- Rectal tumour.
- Enlarged prostate.
Diagnosis of rectal prolapse
Diagnosis of the rectal prolapse involves a physical examination, often a probe inserted next to the prolapsed tissue, to determine the organ and tissue involved. The doctor needs to know whether prolapsed tissue is intestinal or rectal so that that vet can give appropriate treatment. Make sure to check the symptoms for rectal prolapse vs hemorrhoids in dogs while diagnosis itself. If it is an intestinal tissue, prompt surgery must put it back in its place.
Treatment for Dog Vaginal Prolapse
Rectal prolapse (pink thing hanging out of dog) is treated only after the reason behind it is determined. The vet will decide how to treat rectal prolapse in dogs after assessing the damage on the rectal tissue.
- If the rectal tissue hasn’t suffered too much damage, the vet may attempt to push the rectum back into place manually. They will need to put a suture around the anus, which will stay in for about 48 hours. The manual replacement will be done while your dog is on anesthesia to help with the discomfort. The dog will have no problem defecating with the suture.
- If the tissue does not go back into the rectum easily or does not stay inside, then the vet will need to do the procedure surgically, it is called colopexy. This is a procedure where the doctor surgically opens the abdomen and tacks the colon to the abdominal wall to stop the rectum from slipping out.
- To treat rectal prolapse permanently, the underlying issue that caused the prolapse needs to be dealt with first.
- Diarrhea, constipation, infections, and intestinal parasites need to be treated with proper medication and follow healthy diet for dog with rectal prolapse.
- Foreign objects that cannot pass through the stool need to be surgically removed.
- A caesarean section needs to be performed on females who have difficulty while giving birth, and rectal or colon cancer needs either heavy steroids or surgery.
Ways to Prevent Rectal Prolapse Hemorrhoids in dogs
The best way to prevent prolapsed tissue is to address the problem instantly as you notice your dog straining while defecating or urinating. You can treat causes for straining such as diarrhea, infections, etc., with proper medication, diet, and supplements. However, it is better to get rid of this problem sooner, as it only worsens the situation for your dog.
Conclusion
Now you know the reason and how to heal dog prolapse at home. Keep an eye out for their symptoms and prevent them from tissue prolapse. Straining while doing their business is the biggest giveaway of the condition. It is best to get it treated as soon as you notice it. Once your dog has rectal prolapse, all you can do is take it to a vet immediately and support it through the painful treatment. So, take care of your dog and keep observing them.