78 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS 



Malformations of the Rectum and Anus. 



Numerous malformations occur in the rectum; projecting polypus 

 formations of the mucous membrane of the lower bowel may project from 

 the rectum constantly, or may only be seen during defecation. We may 

 also find fibroma, adenoma, and other forms of tumors. The writer had a 

 particularly interesting case in a small dog that was cjuite old. The owner 

 had observed a slight bleeding from the rectum for at least a year; the 

 rectum was examined by means of a speculum and a carcinoma was found. 

 It was located about 5 cm. from anus on the superior portion of the rectum. 

 This tumor had hard raised irregular edges and depressed in the middle. 

 In the peri-proctal connective tissue, we occasionally find adenoma, 

 sarcoma and carcinoma. These growths are apt to cause considerable 

 trouble, as they cause constriction of the mucous membrane and inter- 

 fere with defecation. 



In the anus, we find several types of tumors which we class, m a 

 general way, as anal cancers. They may either be adenomas or car- 

 cinomas and, as a rule, present mushroom or fungus-like bodies growing 

 firmly in the skin tissue itself, but having no attachment to the connective 

 tissue. Generally they are firm, or slightly elastic, and when they reach 

 a certain size, they are very slightly attached at their outer edge, and 

 the majority of them can be lifted from their base. 



When they reach any size, they are apt to interfere with defecation. 

 These tumors are easily removed, particidarly when they have reached 

 a certain size. The only precaution to be observed is to remove the 

 tumor in its entirety and to avoid injuring the sphincter, which would 

 be apt to result either in paralysis of the sphincter or a rectal fistula. 

 Frick advises early removal of tumors from the interior of the rectum. 

 For information of the diseases of the rectum see page 74. 



Imperforate Anus, Inflammation of the Anal Pouches, Diverticulum of the 

 Rectum and Hemorrhoids are classed under this Heading. 



Imperforate Anus (Atresia Ani and Atresia Ani et Reeti). — This is a 

 congenital deformity and consists of a defective formation of the rectum 

 and in some cases of the lower bowel. It is seen in newly born puppies, 

 and it is usually confined to the cutaneous covering growing over the 

 anus (atresia ani), or it may be the rectum is only partially developed 

 and it ends in a blind sac some distance from the rectum (atresia ani et 

 recti). In these cases, the faeces are not passed and an artificial opening 

 must be made. The treatment is to cut the skin with a small knife, and 

 the edge of the wound sewed back, so as to prevent it from uniting again; 



