Rectal Prolapse I Mshindo Media

Rectal prolapse  happens when the inner layers of the rectum, the end region of the large intestine, push out and protrude from the anus.

• Rectal prolapse can happen in any  breed, age, or gender for several reasons, including digestive and  urinarydisorders. Over time, circulation to the rectum can become compromised, and the rectal tissue can be easily damaged. This should be treated as an emergency situation and requires immediate veterinary care. If you see the signs of rectal prolapse in your animal, consult your veterinarian so they can diagnose the condition and begin treatment. Here is what you should know about the 
• symptoms, 
• causes, and 
• treatments for rectal prolapse.

Symptoms Of Rectal Prolapse 

The most obvious way to spot rectal prolapse is by the pink tube of flesh protruding from the anus, especially after defecation or urination. If circulation to the rectum is compromised, the pink flesh may turn purple or black. The prolapse may be incomplete, which means only a small portion of the rectal lining is visible during defecation, but it subsides shortly after, or the prolapse may be complete, meaning a mass of tissue remains visible. Animal that suffers from rectal prolapse will likely strain during defecation and may lick the prolapsed tissue.

Causes Of Rectal Prolapse 

Parasitic infections are the most common cause of rectal prolapse, but there are several other possible causes.                                                                                                                                                   The condition is most often seen of any age. Here are some conditions that may result in rectal prolapse in.

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Straining to defecate
• Intestinal irritation or inflammation
• Bacterial or viral infection
• Enlarged prostate
• Rectal or anal tumors
• Bladder inflammation
• Stones in the urinary tract
• Abnormal labor or birthing
• Rectal deviation
• Anal sac disease
• Perineal hernia
• Rectal or anal narrowing (caused by scar tissue from injury or inflammation)

Treatments For Rectal Prolapse 

Treatment for rectal prolapse depends on the cause of the condition and how damaged the rectal tissue is. If there is a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection, it will need to be treated, usually with antibiotics or anti-parasitic drugs.                                                                                                      Other underlying factors will be treated accordingly.
If the rectal tissue isn’t too badly damaged, the veterinarian will likely attempt to manually push the rectum back into place and put a suture around the anus, which will stay in for about 48 hours. The vet may provide an anesthetic such as an epidural to relieve discomfort. The animal  will still be able to defecate while the sutures are in.

Sometimes this procedure fails, in which case the veterinarian may perform a coloplexy. This is a more invasive procedure where the abdomen is surgically opened and the colon is tacked to the abdominal wall to stop the rectum from slipping out.
The final treatment option veterinarians may consider happens when the rectal tissue is too damaged to save or if other procedures have failed. If this is the case, the rectal tissue may be surgically removed, and the intestine will be anchored to the anus. This often results in complications such as incontinence, so vets will try to avoid it if possible

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