Prolapse in dogs is not a very common problem. Nevertheless, it can occur in any breed of dog.
How to Heal Dog Prolapse at Home? – Rectal prolapse usually occurs when one puts too much pressure and strain on the anus.
Understanding and Treating Dog Prolapse
While uncommon, rectal prolapse can be a painful and concerning issue for dogs. Here’s what you need to know about causes, symptoms, treatment, and home care:
What is Rectal Prolapse?
- Rectal prolapse occurs when the rectum, the final part of the large intestine, protrudes through the anus.
- Types:
- Mucosal: Only the lining of the rectum protrudes.
- Complete: The entire rectum protrudes.
- Mostly occurs in puppies under 6 months or during birth.
Causes of Rectal Prolapse
- Parasitic infections
- Bacterial or viral infections
- Straining during urination or defecation
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Intestinal inflammation
- Urinary tract issues
- Difficult labor
Symptoms
- A pink, donut-shaped mass protruding from the anus
- Straining during defecation or urination
- Licking or biting at the rectal area
- Difficulty passing stool
Treatment
Treatment depends on the severity and underlying cause:
- Home Care (for mild cases and while awaiting vet visit):
- Keep the area clean and lubricated with petroleum jelly or water-based lubricants.
- Gentle pressure to try and reposition the prolapse.
- Soft, easy-to-digest diet and plenty of water.
- Veterinary Care:
- Antibiotics to treat underlying infections.
- Manual repositioning of the rectum, possibly with temporary sutures.
- Surgical removal of damaged tissue (severe cases).
Can You Treat Prolapse at Home?
- Home remedies offer temporary relief but don’t cure the issue.
- Always consult a vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.
- Home care can worsen the condition if done incorrectly.
Key Takeaways
- Prolapse requires prompt veterinary attention to prevent tissue damage and complications.
- While mild cases might improve with home care, a vet visit is crucial.
- Prevention is key – address parasitic infections, maintain a healthy digestive system, and seek timely veterinary care for any underlying issues that cause straining.
Remember: Don’t attempt to fix severe prolapse yourself. Your vet is equipped to handle this condition safely and effectively, ensuring your dog’s well-being.
What is Rectal Prolapse in Dogs?
If your dog feels stressed and strained during the defecation, it might be a severe problem. Although prolapse is not very common, it happens when your dog is giving too much pressure and strain during the excretion of the waste.
The rectum is the end part of the intestine that protrudes and exits through the anus. It can be complete or incomplete.
This can create concern and worry in dog owners. Prolapse generally happens in birth-giving dogs and puppies older than six months or less.
Prolapse can be mucosal or complete.
Mucosal Prolapse
This is mild prolapse, and the dog’s condition is limited to obtruding the lining of the anal canal.
Complete Prolapse
This is a more serious condition where one can easily see the prolapse through their naked eyes.
What are the Symptoms of Rectal Prolapse in Dogs?
Prolapse symptoms in dogs can be easily visible by observing the behavior of your dog that might be licking his anal area. The dogs generally push out a doughnut-shaped pink tube of flesh through their anus during defecation and urination.
The prolapse can be complete or incomplete/mucosal. The incomplete or mucosal prolapse occurs when the dog pushes out only a tiny portion of the rectal lining.
In contrast, the complete prolapse is when the dog protrudes a mass of tissue and thus requires immediate vet attention, and if not treated, it can cause severe damage to the dog.
What are the Causes of Rectal Prolapse in Dogs?
The most common cause of rectal prolapse in dogs is the parasitic infection, but many other reasons add to cause a dog prolapse. Dogs giving birth to young ones and puppies of 6 months or less are more likely to experience prolapse than other dogs.
Some conditions that are involved in dog rectal prolapse are:
- Parasitic infection
- Bacterial and viral infection
- Intestinal irritation and inflammation
- Rectal deviation
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Straining during defecation
- Stones in the urinary tract
- Abnormal labor or birthing
How to Heal Dog Prolapse at Home?
Treatment for prolapse depends upon the type of prolapse, the cause of the condition, and the rectal tissues of the anus.
The most common treatment for prolapse includes softening the feces so that they can be easily excreted out of the anus of the dog.
- If the cause of the prolapse is found to be bacterial, viral, or parasitic, there will be an immediate need for a veterinary doctor to treat the dog. By consulting the vet, they can easily prescribe antibiotics and a healthy diet for your dog as a part of treatment.
- If there is not much damage caused to the rectal tissue, the vet will push the rectum inside into its place and put the suture around the anus, which should be there for about 48 hours to prevent problems. The vet will provide an analgesic and painkillers accordingly so that the suture doesn’t create any discomfort for the dog.
- If the rectal tissue is too damaged, there is only one way to save it. The veterinary doctor will surgically remove the rectal tissue and attach the intestine to the anus. It is quite a problematic condition, so vets usually try to avoid this treatment.
How Long Does it Take to Heal?
The average time that a prolapse needs to heal is about 4- 6 weeks if it’s an open surgery and around 1-2 weeks if it is a vaginal prolapse surgery. You also need a pain reliever for your dog to help him in pain.
How to Heal Heal Dog Prolapse at Home?
Rectal prolapse in dogs can occur at any age, in any breed, and in any sex. But the, females and pups of a young age are more prone to it.
Treatment for dog prolapse at home includes water, saline, petroleum jelly, and any water-based lubricant to prevent the rectal tissue from drying out until it can be treated and replaced by the vet.
Applying gentle pressure to push back the tissue can also work in this condition.
It is of utmost importance that the home remedies will not cure the prolapse, but they will help relieve the symptoms and provide comfort to the dog until you see the vet.
Some home remedies that can prevent the prolapse include:
- Offering small amounts of olive oil on daily bases so that the stool doesn’t dry out will lead to the easy evacuation of your dog.
- Try to keep your dog hydrated. It will increase the saline capacity in your dog’s body, which will help ease digestion and excretion.
- Don’t always give dry food to your dog. You should rather see digestion for your dog, which can provide an easy-to-digest diet that will help your dog.
You need to understand that Prolapsed organs can’t heal themselves. It may get worse over time. There are several treatments for correcting a Prolapsed tissue or organ.
Can You Push a Prolapse Back into its Place?
You have to follow the instructions carefully. The rectal tissue or the rectum must be pushed back into its place by applying gentle pressure on the tissue with the help of a soft, warm, and wet cloth. After that, apply KC jelly and keep the area untouched and protected for some days.
Soft Diet Treatment
Constipation and diarrhea are the most common causes of your dog to get prolapse, and these can show some changes and affect the intestine that, will lead to prolapse in your dog.
Change in the Diet of Your Dog
A soft diet is made up of food with delicate textures and mild tastes that will not suppress the dog’s digestive system and continuously improve your dog’s digestion and excretion.
Spicy, salty, and oily substances must be excluded from the diet. The soft diet must be a combination of the following foods:
- Boiled chicken
- Boiled rice
- Boiled hake
- Scrambled eggs
- Boiled pumpkin
- Vegetables like carrots and potatoes
Treat your dog with homemade food, and you will see results in approximately 2-3 days. Once you finish the soft diet schedule, it is best to give your dog small amounts of olive oil in the diet.
How to Treat Your Dog’s Vaginal Prolapse at Home?
One of the best things about the relationship is that you help each other heal. All can understand the satisfaction one feels when they help their dog heal during the time of their ailments.
Dog owners usually try to get the answer to if they can heal their dog’s vaginal prolapse at home.
The answer to this question is that firstly you have to identify what you see. The dog prolapse is the protrusion of the rectal tissue that evacuates from the anus or vagina.
Yes, you can efficiently heal some prolapses at home. Yet there is a need to take your dog to a vet to avoid complications.
Occasionally, apply petroleum jelly on the rectal tissue and gently apply firm pressure and try to push back into the anus. Risks are always there, and you have to be very cautious and diligent towards them.
The most important thing you should keep in mind is that the rectal tissue is fragile, and you have to take care of everything.
There are different treatments for different prolapses, and you have to identify if you can help the dog or if you are worsening the situation. For that, you have to pin down a few criteria.
- You have to make sure that your dog can urinate. Straining and lacking urine output can be a medical emergency.
- Ensure your dog’s vaginal prolapse is associated with the heat cycle or the puppy’s birth. Prolapse during labor and birth is more complex, and you have to take the help of medical experts.
- Signs of cuts and biting wounds require vet attention.
- Clean the area twice a day in a gentle manner.
- Apply ointment after cleaning the wound to soften the tissue.
- Apply a collar to your dog to prevent your dog from excessive licking and chewing.
Summing up, dog prolapses can be of several types with different treatments. Once you start inspecting your dog and you can identify the prolapse, you can quickly determine if you can help her in that situation or if you need a vet for your dog.
If the protrusion involves only the lower lining of the intestine, you can heal a dog prolapse at home by taking precautions, remedies, and interventions altogether.
You have to make sure that you should visit the veterinarian as prolapses require medical assistance. Otherwise, this article on how to heal dog prolapse at home will help you go through the process.
