70 CANINE MEDICINE AND SURGERY 



kept soft by the administration of laxatives (olive 

 oil) and soft foods. 



Prolapsus Ani 



The causes of this condition are the same as 

 those producing prolapsus recti, and- while not of so 

 serious a nature as that condition, it is often ex- 

 ceedingly troublesome to deal with-^and causes the 

 animal much discomfort, to say nothing of the 

 unsightly appearance it presents. The symptoms are 

 practically the same as in prolapsed rectum except 

 that only a very small portion of the posterior part 

 of the rectum appears as rather a red, angry-looking 

 mass at the anal opening. 



Treatment. — Reposition is comparatively easy, 

 but to induce the parts to remain in their natural 

 position is often quite another matter. Astringent 

 washes may be tried and the anus sutured, the same 

 rules as to diet and regulation of the bowels being 

 applied as in prolapsus recti. 



If these measures fail to give permanent relief, 

 operation should be resorted to. The animal should 

 be placed on a milk or beef-tea, diet for a few days 

 previous to operation and should receive a laxative 

 to clean out the bowels. Immediately before opera- 

 tion the patient should receive an enema, of warm 

 boracic acid solution, and a general anesthetic ad- 

 ministered. The relaxed portion of the mucous 

 membrane is then gently pulled out from the anus 

 by the fingers and three or four elliptical wounds, 

 from one-half to one inch in length, made with 

 sharp scissors in the longitudinal axis of the 

 mucous membrane close to the anus. The rationale 

 for this operation lies in the fact that contraction 

 takes place during cicatrization and thus tends to 

 prevent the parts from again prolapsing. 



The after-treatment consists in giving antiseptic 



