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==Description==
==Description==
==Signalment==
==Signalment==
The condition is much more common in dogs than cats and, in dogs, almost all cases are described in intact males. Most cases occur in animals older than 5 years and the median age in cats and dogs is 10 years. The following breeds have been shown to be predisposed to perineal hernias:
The condition is much more common in dogs than cats and, in dogs, almost all cases are described in intact males. Most cases occur in animals older than 5 years and the median age in cats and dogs is 10 years. Welsh Corgis, Boston terriers, Boxers, Pekingese and Collies are at particular risk.
Females are at decreased risk of developing the condition as they have stronger pelvic diaphragm muscles. In dogs, 93% cases occur in intact males but the condition is more common in neutered male cats than entire males.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
===Clinical Signs===
===Clinical Signs===
Signs can be divided into physical signs related to the presence of the hernia and signs which occur when herniated organs become strangulated or obstructed. Clinical signs may therefore include:
Signs can be divided into physical signs related to the presence of the hernia and signs which occur when herniated organs become strangulated or obstructed. Clinical signs may therefore include:
'''Physical signs'''
*Swelling of the perineal area, either unilaterally or bilaterally.
*Caudal projection of the anus (if the hernia is bilateral).
*The rectum loses lateral support on the affected side(s) and, on digital rectal examination, the skin over the hernia can be elevated because the rectum is no longer contained within the pelvic cavity.
*Constipation/obstipation, dyschezia and tenesmus result from alterations to the normal contours of the rectum, including deviations or flexures, sacculations (unilateral dilations), bilateral dilations and pulsion diverticula. Continued tenesmus may worsen the extent of the hernia.
*Chronic tenesmus and bilateral loss of rectal support may result in [[Rectal Prolapse|rectal prolapse]].
Signs due to '''incarceration or strangulation''' of organs and necessitating emergency treatment
*Stranguria or anuria due to retroflexion of the urinary bladder into the hernia.
*Vomiting due to small intestinal obstruction
Faecal incontinence occurs commonly '''after correction of the hernia''' due to disruption of the caudal rectal nerves supplying the external anal sphincter.
===Laboratory Tests===
===Laboratory Tests===
===Conservative Management===
===Conservative Management===
This involves the following aspects of treatment:
This involves the following aspects of treatment:
A '''diet with a high fibre content''' to increase the bulk and moisture content of the faeces and reduce the likelihood of constipation and faecal tenesmus.
'''Laxatives''' to increase the moisture content of the faeces. Various products are used, including '''lactulose''', '''psyllium mucilloid''' and '''dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate''', a cathartic which increases the rate of secretion of fluid from the intestinal mucosa.
Actual or 'chemical' castration using '''delmadinone acetate''', which reduces the concentration of circulating androgen hormones. Androgens and their receptors are involved in the aetiopathogenesis of perineal hernia and castration will also prevent most prostatic diseases (with the exception of prostatic neoplasia).
'''Occasional enemas or manual evacuation of faeces''' can be performed to relieve any constipation and to remove any faeces that have become impacted in rectal sacculations or diverticula.
===Surgical Management===
===Surgical Management===
====Surgical Techniques====
====Surgical Techniques====
Surgical intervention is indicated if medical treatment has failed or if herniated organs become incarcerated or strangulated. Two major techniques have been described to achieve herniorraphy:
Surgical intervention is indicated if medical treatment has failed or if herniated organs become incarcerated or strangulated. Two major techniques have been described to achieve herniorraphy:
An '''internal obturator transposition herniorraphy''' is most commonly performed with the animal positioned in sternal recumbency with extended hips (as for surgery of the anus, anal sacs or vulva). An incision is made dorsoventrally, parallel to the median plane on the affected side and the hernial sac is identified and entered. The herniated organs are identified and their viability is assessed before they are returned to the abdominal or pelvic cavity. The incision is extended to reveal the internal obturator muscle which originates on the dorsal surface of the ischiatic table and runs over the lesser sciatic notch to insert on the greater trochanter of the femur. The muscle is mobilised from the ischium using a periosteal elevator, moved dorsally and sutures are then passed between it, the coccygeus and levator ani muscles and the external anal sphincter. The sutures should be pre-placed before they are tied and care should be taken to ensure that they do not penetrate through to the rectal lumen. The tendon of the internal obturator may be sectioned to enable the muscle to be transposed but care should be taken not to damage the '''sciatic nerve''' which runs beside it over the sciatic notch. The procedure can be performed bilaterally but, since it increases the degree of faecal tenesmus, an interval of 4-6 weeks is often intermitted before the contralateral repair is completed.
The '''traditional herniorraphy''' is a simpler version of the above technique, in which sutures are placed between the external anal sphincter, coccygeus and levator ani without elevating the internal obturator muscle. Since the internal obturator is not used to fill space created by the hernia, the sutures placed in this technique are usually under greater tension and they may cause deformity of the anus.
'''Castration''' should be undertaken at the same time as this reduces the risk of recurrence of 2.7 times.
Other procedures may be performed to prevent abdominal organs from moving into the hernia, including a '''ductus deferopexy''' where the bladder is tethered to the ventral abdominal wall by the transected ducta deferentia and a '''colopexy''' where the descending colon is attached to the left body wall, preventing rectal prolapses and severe rectal dilations.
====Post-operative complications====
====Post-operative complications====
[[Category:Recto-Anal_-_Pathology]]
[[Category:Recto-Anal_-_Pathology]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_James]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_James]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_Review]]
[[Category:Expert_Review]]