What is Perineal Hernia?
The pelvic floor supports the rectum and keeps the abdominal contents in their normal positions. When the muscular diaphragm is weakened, it may rupture, allowing organs to become entrapped in the hernia. Perineal hernias exhibit as a swelling adjacent to the rectum and most commonly occurs in older unneutered dogs.
Though a perineal hernia is not life-threatening in itself, it may require an emergency response if the bladder moves through the rupture, as this can obstruct urination If a loop of intestine is trapped in the hernia, this may lead to strangulation of the bowel and loss of blood supply.
A perineal hernia is a rupture in the pelvic floor, through which an organ may protrude into the region between the anus and the scrotum. This affects a dog’s ability to urinate and defecate and may be life-threatening if the bladder or intestine is involved.Perineal Hernia Average Cost
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Symptoms of Perineal Hernia in Dogs
A perineal hernia is commonly detectable as a swelling beside or below the anus. Symptoms that arise from the swelling include:
- Straining to urinate
- Difficulty with bowel movements
- Constipation
- Change in tail carriage
Clinical signs of a perineal hernia may vary depending on the organs affected. Typically, these symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Lethargy
- Depression
Causes of Perineal Hernia in Dogs
A perineal hernia occurs when the muscular diaphragm of the pelvis weakens or fails, allowing organs to protrude into the area between the anus and the scrotum. Hernias are potentially caused by a variety of factors, including trauma, tumors, age, and congenitally. Though there is no known underlying cause for perineal hernias, the vast majority of cases occur in unneutered male dogs that are middle-aged or older, leading to the theory that male hormones or prostate enlargement weaken the pelvic floor. No strong correlation exists between breed and likelihood of the condition.
Diagnosis of Perineal Hernia in Dogs
Perineal hernias are easy to identify by digital rectal palpation. If your dog exhibits swelling around the anus, your veterinarian will ask for a history and conduct a thorough examination of the rectal region to differentiate the hernia from a tumor. Blood work and urinalysis may be required to develop a complete health profile, determine your dog’s ability to withstand treatment, and identify any concurrent diseases.
Though unnecessary in diagnosing the hernia itself, an x-ray or ultrasound can help define the hernia and determine its contents. Your veterinarian may recommend a prostate gland biopsy or an inspection of the testicles as part of the examination. If an enlarged prostate is discovered during any of these steps, additional tests may be necessary to locate the underlying cause and identify treatment.
Treatment of Perineal Hernia in Dogs
Treatment varies depending on the extent of herniation. Surgical repair and castration are standard, though non-surgical options are available for management.
Medical Management
For minor cases, medical treatment may be an option, though it does not cure the hernia or address the rupture. A combination of stool softeners, enemas, and a high fiber diet help relieve the strain of defecation, while the bladder can be decompressed with a catheter. However, this does not permanently control the disease or its symptoms, and your dog still runs the risk of having its bladder or colon trapped in the hernia.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is usually the recommend treatment for a perineal hernia. The hernia contents will be moved back into their normal positions, and the pelvic diaphragm will be repaired. The colon and the bladder may be sutured to the abdominal wall during this process, helping stabilize those organs and prevent a reoccurrence. The pelvic diaphragm is typically reinforced with a local muscle flap or surgical mesh, completely closing the rupture. Castration is performed on intact males as part of this procedure to minimize hormones and reduce the size of the prostate, decreasing the chances of a future perineal hernia.
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Recovery of Perineal Hernia in Dogs
Antibiotics will be prescribed to combat potential contamination that arises due to the location of the surgical site. Your veterinarian will likely prescribe painkillers to ease your dog’s discomfort, though you should also modify your dog’s diet and employ stool softeners to ease defecation during the healing process. This minimizes straining, which reduces pain while preventing too much stress from being applied to the reconstructed muscles.
The surgical area needs to be kept clean and dry, and you will need to limit your dog’s physical activity during this time. An Elizabethan collar may be necessary to keep your dog from licking or biting at the surgical site. The prognosis is good for most non-emergency cases, though your vet may recommend regular follow-up examinations to ensure that the repair is healing properly and that the possibility of recurrence is low.
Cost of Perineal Hernia in Dogs
Stool softeners for dogs are usually $15 for 40 soft chews. Consult your veterinarian before trying human stool softeners on your dog. Enemas ($4 for a 4 pack) are another option. Changing your dog’s food to a high fiber diet will also help your dog’s condition and overall health. These special dog foods sell for $35 to $40 per 30lb bag. These options will not cure your dog’s perineal hernia, but rather relieve the strain and discomfort your dog is feeling. Surgery is usually the only option to cure a perineal hernia. Surgery can be used to move the hernia back into normal position and to repair the pelvic diaphragm. This surgery can cost $1,500 or more. The veterinarian may decide to castrate your dog (intact males only, obviously) which reduces the size of the prostate and decreases the chances of the hernia reoccurring. This can cost an additional $170 to $200.
Perineal Hernia Average Cost
From 173 quotes ranging from $1,500 - $5,000
Average Cost
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Perineal Hernia Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
German Sheppard mix
Joker
11 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swollen Abdomen
What can I give my dog for a perineal hernia, he licks it to the point where it bleeds. What can I do or give him that would help out. Also has a bump to the right of his butt, this really concerned me
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
There isn’t really anything to give to Joker for his perineal hernia as this is a problem which is corrected with surgery and is managed with stool softeners to ease the passage of digesta to be defecated; an Elizabethan collar may help. The hernia will continue to be there unless surgically corrected and would continue to cause irritation; eleven is old but may not be too old for surgery, this would need to be discussed with your Veterinarian. Was the hernia diagnosed by your Veterinarian? As there are other issues like anal gland cancer which can cause swelling and irritation to the perineal area. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Japanese Spitz
Sly
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
My dog had his 2nd perineal hernia repair and colopexy 2 days ago. a day before the surgery, he had his bloodtest done. My concern is about the bloodtest result. His RBC, HGB, HCT are a little high. His platelets were always below normal value for the past 2 years but suprisingly, it is normal this time. Please help me understand the result for these:
GLB - 221 (normal value 23-45)
ALB - 21 (normal value 26-43)
TP - 242.6 (normal value 51-78)
K - 25.1 (normal value (3.80-5.60)
Na - 62 (normal value 140-154)
GLU - 3.37 (normal value 3.88-5.83)
ALP, ALT, CREA, BUN and CI are all at normal range.
Thank you and hope to hear from you soon.
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
Slight increases in red blood cells, haemoglobin and haematocrit can be caused by dehydration; the potassium and sodium levels as well as the globulins may be connected to adrenal gland disorders. Further testing and discussion with your Veterinarian regarding these blood results. Protein losing nephropathy or enteropathy can also affect protein levels in the blood. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Lhasa Apso
Fluffy
11 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Constipation
Lathirgy
Hello,
About year ago my now 11 year old mini American Eskimo/Lhasa Apso 22lb dog was diagnosed with perineal hernia. I was terrified. After much research and hesitation I decided to wait and see. I added warm water to his diet, pumpkin and very rarely lactolose. He is rarely constipated, full of energy, no pain and eats everything. He passes bowl and pees normal. Very rarely he has constipation issues and lethargy. His bump on bottom started to grow visibly much larger. However, he is not in any pain. I took him to the vet recently and was told that he has bilateral perineal hernia. Because he doesn't poop normally the canal on the bottom also needs to be fixed so that he poops straight like he is suppose to. My dog is in good health, his blood work is good with a little bit elevated cholesterol.
My concern is so much surgery for his age. Will he survive? One vet suggested to do right side first, see how he does and then the second. The other vet is saying he can do both, but there are risks associate with this such as inflammation and possible loose stool for rest of his life. To me that's sounds like a torture and unnecessary based on how I see him now. Also the after care is worrisome to me. I mean, dog is not a human and you can't make him take the medication if he is in pain. Or how I would feed him.
Right now I'm torturing myself with thoughts and how I should deal with this situation, to do the surgery or not? I mean sometimes he has bad days where is lethargic or constipated, but they are not long and he always comes back to his normal. He is not suffering right now. I need to make this hard decision and I can't. Please advise me. Thank you so much.
July 26, 2017
1 Recommendations
Surgery is the treatment of choice, however it needs to be balanced against the possible risks including a loss of continence. There is no real right or wrong answer, your Veterinarian would be concerned with potential problems in the future like strangulation or obstruction and would prefer to fixed the hernias to prevent further complications; medical management will only go so far. I would personally recommend the surgery, both sides at the same time to prevent an additional anaesthesia; as Fluffy’s owner, you need to make the decision as we (Veterinarians) can only make recommendations. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Hi I just thought I could give you a bit of ease I've been reading all theese comments my dog was diagnosed with a perineal hernia when he was 10 he's now 12 and had his op today he made it fine through the op as he is a old boy and everything went fine he sounds the same to how your explaing fluffy to be lots of energy seemd not to be bothered but it came to a point the past few months around his bottom was becoming swallon at least once a week and he's been constipated,I was told surgery was the only cure for him as they need to tighten the muscles inside, I definitely recommend the surgery to be done the same time so saves him the stress of going through it twice also getting him castrated helps :) hope I was some help for you best of luck
July 26, 2017
Hollie P.
Are there any other options besides the surgery? I feel like it's very invasive.
July 26, 2017
Fluffy's Owner
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Japanese Spitz
Sly
5 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Swollen
Since Perineal hernia is due to a weakened muscle, is there any supplement/vitamins I should give my dog to lower the risk of recurrence and strengthen his muscle? Btw, he had hernia surgery 2 months ago and now there's a small one again :( The vet needle aspirate it and says it's the bladder this time. Thank you
July 26, 2017
2 Recommendations
The best course of action would be to prevent straining as muscle strengthening comes from exercising the muscle which isn’t an option. Wet food, stool softeners, plain pumpkin etc… in the diet so that there is no straining to defecate which in turn would put pressure on the pelvic diaphragm. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Thank you so much
July 26, 2017
Sly's Owner
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Perineal Hernia Average Cost
From 173 quotes ranging from $1,500 - $5,000
Average Cost
$2,100
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