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What is a Cane Corso rectal prolapse?
Rectal prolapse in dogs can occur at any age and may be congenital or develop later in life. Although this condition can occur in both male and female dogs, the female dog is more at risk during the birthing process. Younger dogs are more commonly affected due to various diseases that can cause over-expansion in Cane Corso puppies, which can cause protrusion of the rectum through the anus.

Rectal prolapse is defined as the protrusion or pushing out of the inner layers of the rectum through the anus. This often occurs after straining during defecation, urination, or childbirth.

Symptoms of Cane Corso rectal prolapse

The symptoms of rectal prolapse are quite simple:

Visual observation and noticing a mass protruding from the anus; this mass looks like a “sausage or dough nut” and is reddened in color. There may be pain in the area, similar to hemorrhoids in humans, although dogs do not get hemorrhoids.

You may notice your pet straining to defecate or urinate, or straining during a difficult delivery. Prominent tissue can then cause the urge to strain further.

If you overdose your Cane Corso puppy with the tablets against worms, the puppy might have a rectal prolapse due to the very often tries of defecation.

Types:

There are two types of rectal prolapse per se, but there are several other rectal conditions in which rectal prolapse is a sign. The two true types of Cane Corso rectal prolapse are:

• Incomplete, in which only the innermost rectal layer is actually protruding

• Complete prolapse, in which all layers of the rectum protrude.

There are several other conditions of the rectum in which rectal prolapse can occur:

Anal sac disease

This condition affects the anal sacs, which are located on both sides of the anus. This is the most common disease that occurs in the anal area of the dog. They can be congested, infected, abscessed or even cancerous, making defecation difficult. Other signs that may occur in this case are pain or discomfort when sitting, resting the buttocks on the floor, licking or biting in the anal area.

Perianal fistula

The most noticeable signs are chronic, foul-smelling sores in the tissue surrounding the anus (the cause is unknown).

Perineal tear (hernia)

This is a hernia near the anus that most commonly occurs in unneutered male dogs between 6 and 8 years of age.

Rectal and anorectal stenosis

These are narrowings in the rectal area that may result from scar tissue due to injury from foreign bodies or trauma, or may be a complication of inflammation. In this form, both the rectal and anal areas are usually affected.

Both rectal and anal tears can occur when a dog swallows a sharp foreign object such as a bone, needle or other rough material. They can also be caused by a bite or injury. The tear may affect only the surface layers of the rectum (called a partial tear) or may penetrate all layers of the rectum (called a complete tear). If the tear has been present for some time, swelling or edema may also occur. Tears can cause narrowing of the anorectal area as they heal and form scars.

Rectal tumors

Rectal tumors can be benign or malignant. If the tumor is malignant and/or interferes with the dog’s daily life, surgical removal is the primary treatment option, but may not always be effective if the tumor has spread beyond the rectum before signs are noted. Signs of this condition include the straining and painful bowel movements mentioned above, as well as bright red blood in the feces and diarrhea.

In addition, rectal polyps are growths that occur in the rectal area. They are not common in dogs and are usually benign when they do occur. The bad news is that, in general, the larger the polyp, the more likely it is to be malignant.

Causes of Cane Corso rectal prolapse

The main cause of rectal prolapse in dogs, whether primary or secondary, is straining during defecation or urination in both sexes and difficult parturition in bitches. There are several conditions and diseases that can contribute to rectal prolapse regardless of age or sex, including:

• Straining to defecate or urinate at any age;
• Difficulty giving birth;
• Severe diarrhea (often associated with chronic parasitic infections), especially in Cane Corso puppies, but can occur at any age;
• Constipation;
• Difficulty urinating due to a urinary tract infection or other urinary tract disease;
• Obesity in dogs causes poor muscle tone and contributes to the inability to fully empty the anal sac during defecation;
• If the contents of the gland are not emptied regularly, the gland becomes a target for bacterial infection and inflammation;
• Prostate disease;
• Weakness of the pelvic floor muscles;
• Ingestion of foreign objects, especially sharp or coarse objects, resulting in abrasions and lacerations;
• Cancer.

Diagnosis of Cane Corso rectal prolapse

The most important diagnostic tool for rectal prolapse in dogs is a physical examination. This examination will provide your veterinarian with a lot of information about which organs and tissues are actually affected. During this examination, a probe may be inserted next to the prolapsed tissue to determine its identity. It is important for the veterinarian to know if the prolapsed tissue is intestinal or rectal tissue so that appropriate treatment options can be explored. If the bulging tissue is intestinal tissue, immediate surgery is required to put it back in place.

Treatment of Cane Corso rectal prolapse

Treatment of rectal prolapse in dogs depends on the tissue involved and the cause of the prolapse. If anal pouch disease is also present, the anal pouches must be expressed to empty them. This may require manual evacuation by the veterinarian using a finger.

If possible, the tissues are gently cleaned and repositioned. A suture may be placed temporarily to fix the position. In more extreme cases, surgical intervention may be required. The decision to proceed with surgery must be carefully considered based on the cause and extent of the prolapse. Complications are possible with any anesthetic or surgical procedure, and your veterinarian must weigh whether the condition of the prolapse justifies the risks of the possible complications associated with this surgical repair.

Regardless of the recommended treatment option, the prolapsed tissue must be returned to its normal position and location by some means. Of course, if the prolapse is caused by a tumor, it must be surgically removed to prevent possible cancer metastasis.

Recovery of Cane Corso rectal prolapse

The prognosis for most diseases of the rectum is good, but may require closer monitoring and dietary changes for the rest of the pet’s life. You will need to monitor your pet frequently and watch for prolapse, straining during defecation or urination, diarrhea, pain during defecation, urination, sitting and walking during regular observation of your dog. Watch for changes in urinary or fecal habits, as blockages in either of these systems can quickly become an emergency situation. Your veterinarian will likely want to perform regular follow-ups after treatment to ensure that the prolapse does not return or, if it does, can be treated quickly to prevent permanent damage to your pet.

Written by Grace Park
Veterinary reviewed by: Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Adapted for Cane Corso breed by Slobodan Grujic

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