Rectal prolapse.

Rectal prolapse is a common occurrence in cattle and small ruminants. This article discusses the causes, correction, and postoperative treatment of rectal prolapse in cattle and sheep.     

Rectal prolapse associated with urinary bladder neoplasia in a cat

A case of feline rectal prolapse which appeared to be secondary to transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is described. The cat was reported to be incontinent and treatment was declined by the owners. Euthanasia was performed and necropsy revealed an extensive nodular thickening of the entire urinary bladder wall. A diagnosis of urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma was made on histopathological examination.     

Rectal prolapse of an ileocaecal neoplasm associated with intussusception in a cat

Intussusception associated with lymphoma of the ileocaecocolic junction was diagnosed in a 12-year-old female domestic short-haired cat that presented with a 3-week history of diarrhoea and a protruding anal mass. Surgical exploration revealed an ileocolonic intussusception proximal to the mass at the ileocaecal junction which was excised. A diagnosis of ileocaecocolic lymphosarcoma was made and euthanasia was later performed. This is an unusual case of an ileocaecal junction tumour that manifested as a rectal prolapse associated with intussusception in a cat.     

Modified parainguinal approach for cystic calculus removal in five equids

This report describes a modification of the parainguinal approach for removal of cystic calculi: a ventral midline laparotomy‐guided parainguinal laparocystotomy. The ventral midline approach to the abdomen is rapid and routinely used by equine surgeons. With an arm introduced to the abdomen via the ventral midline, the surgeon is able to select the ideal parainguinal laparotomy incision location that allows bladder exteriorisation with the minimum amount of tension. Because the surgeon's hand is introduced via the ventral midline incision, the parainguinal incision can be sized to just allow exteriorisation of the urinary bladder and urolith, increasing extra‐abdominal bladder security during cystotomy while reducing incision size in the parainguinal region. Finally, an assistant's hand via the ventral midline incision can maintain bladder stability within the parainguinal incision during cystotomy closure.     

Rectal prolapse in two rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculi) with rectal neoplasia

Rectal prolapse is rarely reported in rabbits and it has been historically described in association with infectious conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Two adult pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were independently presented for rectal prolapse. The rabbits appeared healthy, with no medical history of consequence, and were still able to feed and defecate. Clinical examination revealed a firm and apparently non-painful rectal mass in both rabbits. Abdominal ultrasound and whole-body radiographs revealed no abnormality. Complete blood count and serum chemistry panels were within the normal range. Surgery was performed in both cases which involved resection of the mass for the first rabbit, and mass excision with partial rectal resection for the second. Postoperatively, the rabbits defecated normally and showed no complications. The histopathological conclusions were an inflammatory rectal polyp for the first rabbit and a rectal leiomyosarcoma for the second. Two and three years after initial presentation, both rabbits are alive, in good health with no signs of tumor recurrence. Neoplasia of the digestive tract should be considered as a differential for rabbits presenting with rectal prolapse.     

Rectal prolapse in a free-ranging mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei): clinical presentation and surgical management.

A juvenile female mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) of the Mubare tourist group in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, developed a severe, complete rectal prolapse that did not spontaneously resolve. Eight months prior, a juvenile female mountain gorilla of the Mubare group developed a mild, complete rectal prolapse that resolved spontaneously within 24 hr. Field guides reported that spontaneously resolving prolapses had been seen previously in two other juveniles, one of which was from the Mubare group. The tissue became increasingly necrotic and maggot infested over the course of 1 wk. Surgical intervention involved amputation of the affected rectal tissues and suturing the viable portion to the anal sphincter muscle with simple interrupted absorbable sutures. The surgery was performed in the field in accordance with Uganda Wildlife Authority policies. Antibiotics and anthelmintics were administered systemically, and the gorilla returned to the group. The gorilla appeared to recover fully after 3 wk. Histology of the resected rectal tissue confirmed intense inflammation and necrosis with myiasis but did not reveal an underlying etiology.     

Hand-assisted laparoscopic cystotomy for cystic calculus removal in male horses (3 cases)

A technique for hand-assisted laparoscopic removal of cystic calculi in male horses is described. Three cystic calculi ranging from 5 to 10 cm in diameter were removed successfully using bilateral para-inguinal laparoscopic portals assisted by a human hand within the abdomen, effectively sealing the midline incision. Long-term follow-up information obtained from referring veterinarians and owners indicated that the patients returned to their previous activity level and had no recurrence of clinical signs in the following 6 to 12 months.Key clinical message:Hand-assisted recumbent laparoscopy is a satisfactory surgical technique for removal of cystic calculi in horses which cannot be operated on standing or whose body condition would make the parainguinal approach difficult.     

Rectal prolapse associated with a healed pelvic fracture in a pregnant free-ranging African black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis). Part 1: anaesthesia

Anaesthesia was required in a heavily-pregnant, adult, free-ranging African black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis with a rectal prolapse for examination and possible treatment. The animal was immobilised with 4.5 mg etorphine and 60 mg azaperone. For continued observation, the immobilised animal was transported to a boma. Additional etorphine and azaperone were administered to keep the animal anaesthetised during treatment and transport. In addition, 15 mg nalorphine was administered during this time to improve ventilation and reduce muscle rigidity. Sixty hours later, in preparation for surgery, 2.5 mg etorphine and 40 mg azaperone were administered, followed by endotracheal intubation and halothane anaesthesia. During anaesthesia, a decrease in tidal volume was observed. Venous blood-gas analysis indicated a decrease in the oxygen partial pressure, and a mixed respiratory and metabolic acidosis. Cardiac arrest was preceded by an increase in heart rate and tidal volume after 80 min of inhalation anaesthesia.     

Rectal prolapse associated with a healed pelvic fracture in a pregnant free-ranging African black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis). Part 2: surgery and necropsy

The oedematous and traumatised protruding section of the rectal tissue of an adult free-ranging female African black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) was surgically amputated. Immediately before completion of surgery, the rhinoceros died of anaesthetic-related cardiac arrest. At necropsy a deformed pelvis and sacrum associated with a healed fracture of the left ileal wing were noted. New bone formation in and around the left ventral sacral foramina may have resulted in neuropathy of particularly the 3rd and 4th left ventral sacral nerves, which (in the horse) supply the majority of the nerve fibres innervating the caudal rectum and anus. The cause of the injury is not known, although back injuries, presumably sustained during mating by bulls, have been recorded in white rhinoceros. An encounter with elephants could also have been responsible for the injury in this case.     

Rectal leiomyosarcoma in a horse

A mass originating from the dorsal rectal wall of a 4-year-old mare was diagnosed as a leiomyosarcoma. General anesthesia and meticulous surgical dissection were required to effect removal. In spite of incomplete excision, as indicated by histologic sections, the mass has not recurred in the 18 months since removal.