No Butts about it ...

[Martina]

Well, to whoever wrote in last month about their dog scratching their anus - and anyone else ... Gigi has just come back from the hospital after having her rectal prolapse put back inside and sutured up - poor, poor baby!!

I went into the kitchen this morning and there was feces EVERYwhere ... it was horrible! So I cleaned it up and leashed the girls for their morning potty break and that's when I saw what looked to be an apple stuck on her anus. She looked just like a monkey in heat.

Unfortunately, I knew what it was right away. Her anal glands were expressed just a couple of weeks ago, but we were keeping an eye on it to see if she might also have allergies. Ha! She started trying to bite at her anus on Thursday and, since I'm going out of town, I just didn't have time to get her back to the vet. Not to mention that she didn't seem to be unduly straining during defecation. Except for the itching, she seemed and acted totally normal. I was to start her on Benadryl 3xs a day and have her checked out when I arrived in San Diego because, as far as we knew, her stool samples were (and still are) all clean and clear. We thought it was more anal gland blockage. Ha!

So now I've got a poor little girlie with a 'hoodie.'

We had to go to the emergency room because, of course, it's Sunday. The suture is supposed to stay in 5 days. But the Doc didn't really know what to say about it since it seems to not be caused by any bacterial or viral infection. I've been wondering how my imminent departure (they are coming with) has, unbeknowst to me, been affecting Gigi and Lola. Personally, I don't feel stressed, but I wonder how much - or what - the dogs are picking up on.

Has anyone else suffered anal prolapse? The vet talked about a surgical procedure to correct it if this is to become a 'thing.' Which, of course, I'm worried about because there doesn't seem to be a biological reason (that we can find yet) and I'm afraid that it's psychological. Which could cause a reccurence if/when she gets stressed out. But I don't want to make a mountain out of a molehill ...

Any advise or recommedations would be super, super appreciated - THANKS!
Martina

[Martina]

still hoping someone has advise ... :)

[fran]

Well, to whoever wrote in last month about their dog scratching their anus - and anyone else ... Gigi has just come back from the hospital after having her rectal prolapse put back inside and sutured up - poor, poor baby!!

I went into the kitchen this morning and there was feces EVERYwhere ... it was horrible! So I cleaned it up and leashed the girls for their morning potty break and that's when I saw what looked to be an apple stuck on her anus. She looked just like a monkey in heat.

Unfortunately, I knew what it was right away. Her anal glands were expressed just a couple of weeks ago, but we were keeping an eye on it to see if she might also have allergies. Ha! She started trying to bite at her anus on Thursday and, since I'm going out of town, I just didn't have time to get her back to the vet. Not to mention that she didn't seem to be unduly straining during defecation. Except for the itching, she seemed and acted totally normal. I was to start her on Benadryl 3xs a day and have her checked out when I arrived in San Diego because, as far as we knew, her stool samples were (and still are) all clean and clear. We thought it was more anal gland blockage. Ha!

So now I've got a poor little girlie with a 'hoodie.'

We had to go to the emergency room because, of course, it's Sunday. The suture is supposed to stay in 5 days. But the Doc didn't really know what to say about it since it seems to not be caused by any bacterial or viral infection. I've been wondering how my imminent departure (they are coming with) has, unbeknowst to me, been affecting Gigi and Lola. Personally, I don't feel stressed, but I wonder how much - or what - the dogs are picking up on.

Has anyone else suffered anal prolapse? The vet talked about a surgical procedure to correct it if this is to become a 'thing.' Which, of course, I'm worried about because there doesn't seem to be a biological reason (that we can find yet) and I'm afraid that it's psychological. Which could cause a reccurence if/when she gets stressed out. But I don't want to make a mountain out of a molehill ...

Any advise or recommedations would be super, super appreciated - THANKS!
Martina
Martina,
There was a dog that came into rescue with this .And one of the breeders I know had a pup with this.From what I was able to learn, it is a physical thing.Both had surgeries to correct it.
But that does not mean that your girl would have to.I don't think that stress has anything to do with it.
Diet would certainly be a major factor in prevention.Something that is nonirrating to the bowel.
this is a tough problem for you. All the hard work to housebreak and then seeing the mess. But the worst is knowing your poor girl just does not feel well.
Can you talk to someone at a Vet School near you? A specialist in cases like this is always a good back up to your regular vet.Or is there a specialty practice near you?

[yetisburg]

Hi Martina,
Here's what I got from another poster after asking him about RECTAL PROLAPSE:

"I think rectal prolapse in dogs is quite rare. In the many cases we've seen where something was coming out of the anus, they ended up being intussusceptions, a more serious condition which will require surgery, but still has a poor or grave prognosis.

If it is indeed rectal prolapse, the repair would be simple and prognosis is good.

So the condition must really be defined: intussusception or prolapse?

Gerry "


another response was this:

"true! rectal prolapse needs surgical approach its needed to repair the area."