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| ==Description== | | ==Description== |
− | Rectal prolapse is defined as the protrusion of the rectal mucosa from the anus. It is classified as complete or incomplete. A complete prolapse involves all layers of the rectal wall whereas an incomplete prolapse only involves the mucosal layer. | + | Rectal prolapse is defined as the protrusion of the rectal mucosa from the anus. It can be classified as complete or incomplete. A complete prolapse involves all layers of the rectal wall whereas an incomplete prolapse only involves the mucosal layer. |
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− | Any conditions which cause tenesmus will cause rectal prolapse, this includes: | + | Any conditions which cause tenesmus can cause rectal prolapse, this includes: |
− | *Gastrointtestinal disese | + | *Gastrointestinal disease |
| **Parasites | | **Parasites |
| **Tumours | | **Tumours |
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| *Dystocia | | *Dystocia |
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− | Endoparasite and enteritis are more common in young animals whereas tumours or perineal hernias are more common in milddle-aged to older animals. | + | Endoparasite and enteritis are more common in young animals whereas tumours or perineal hernias are more common in middle-aged to older animals. |
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| ==Diagnosis== | | ==Diagnosis== |
| ===Clinical Signs=== | | ===Clinical Signs=== |
− | Protrusion of a red, elongated, swollen cylindrical mass from the anus. It is vital to differentiate a rectal prolapse from an ileocolic intussusception. This can be done by passing a probe adjacent to the anus. With rectal prolapse, the probe cannot be passed. | + | Protrusion of a red, elongated, swollen cylindrical mass from the anus is seen. It is vital to differentiate a rectal prolapse from an ileocolic intussusception. This can be done by passing a probe adjacent to the anus. With a rectal prolapse, the probe cannot be successfully passed. |
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| + | The everted tissue becomes oedematous, which prevents it from being retracted back into the pelvic canal. The exposed tissue is vulnerable, and depending on the duration of the prolapse, this can lead to inflammation, haemorrhage, congestion and ulceration. |
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− | The everted tissue becomes oedematous, which prevents retraction back into the pelvic canal. The exposed tissue is vulnerable, and depending on the duration of time it which leads to inflammation, haemorrhage, congestion and ulceration.
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| ===Laboratory Tests=== | | ===Laboratory Tests=== |
− | There are no specific tests is required. A faecal analysis can be done to check for an underlying parasitic disease. | + | There are no specific tests required. A faecal analysis can be done to check for an underlying parasitic disease as the cause. |
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| ===Diagnostic Imaging=== | | ===Diagnostic Imaging=== |
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| ==Treatment== | | ==Treatment== |
| ===Medical=== | | ===Medical=== |
− | This may be suitable for acute prolapse with a good viability, where it is ameanable to manual reduction under general or epidural anaesthesia. A loose purse-string suture should be placed around the anus for a period of 3-5 days. Prior to manual reduction, the protruded mass should be treated with warm saline lavages, massages and lubrication or hypertonic saline sugar solution to relieve oedema. Tenesmus can be reduced by laxative such as lactulose, faecal softener, and a moist diet. Complications such as tenesmus, dyschezia, haematochezia and recurrence can occur with manual reduction. | + | This may be suitable for acute prolapse with good tissue viability where it is amenable to manual reduction under general or epidural anaesthesia. A loose purse-string suture should be placed around the anus after reduction for a period of 3-5 days. Prior to manual reduction, the protruded mass should be treated with warm saline lavages, massages and lubrication or hypertonic saline sugar solution to relieve oedema. Tenesmus can be reduced by laxative such as lactulose, faecal softener, and a moist diet. Complications such as tenesmus, dyschezia, haematochezia and recurrence can occur. |
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| ===Surgery=== | | ===Surgery=== |
− | Rectal resection and anastomosis may be needed in cases where manual reduction is not possible or if the tissue is severely traumatised, devitalised or necrotic. Colopexy can be considered in recurrence cases where multiple attempts of manual reduction has failed. Complications such as anal stricture, haemorrhage, faecal incontinence, dehiscence, inection, can occur following surgery. | + | Rectal resection and anastomosis may be needed in cases where manual reduction is not possible or if the tissue is severely traumatised, devitalised or necrotic. Colopexy can be considered in recurrence cases where multiple attempts of manual reduction have failed. Complications such as anal stricture, faecal incontinence, dehiscence, haemorrhage and infection can occur following surgery. |
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| ==Prognosis== | | ==Prognosis== |