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
$2,100
Top
Perineal Hernia Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Japanese Spitz
Sly
5 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Overweight
Swollen
Hello
My dog is a male 5-year old Japanese Spitz-Samoyed mixed. He weighs 19kg. He had his Perineal Hernia surgery almost 2 months now. But the operated area still swollen but he does not show any discomfort. Infact, he is more active now. I give him COQ10 for the muscle and Duphalac to soften his stool. My concern is, why is the operated area still swollen after 2 months and can his weight contribute to a possible recurrence?
Thank you and hope to hear from you soon.
July 26, 2017
1 Recommendations
The swelling should have gone down in the time since the surgery. Recurrence may occur for many reasons including failure of surgery, intra abdominal pressure during urination or defecation or the development of an abscess in the area. It is a good sign that Sly is active and is moving around. If you have concerns, it may be best to visit your Veterinarian to have a quick check to put your mind at rest. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Thanks for the help 😊🐶
July 26, 2017
Sly's Owner
By the way, he got neutered too the same time as the hernia surgery.
July 26, 2017
Sly's Owner
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Stray
Fluffy
14 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Perianal Hernia ,
I have a 80 lbs 14 year old stray dog with a Perineal hernia. he has been operated once before and was also neutered during that operation. He still defecates and urinates himself. I made an underpants for him to support the hernia so it does not hang causing strain. I give him enema's periodically and a soft diet to keep his intestines soft. The vet said operating him is not an option anymore since the hernia returned on both sides and his age is to advanced.
My question is about the underpants, since I have been looking for one to buy online and could not find one I wonder why nothing like that is for sale and if I am wrong to push the hernia back in?
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
Generally, if the hernia isn’t causing pain or discomfort there isn’t a need to push it back in and if it is, surgery usually follows. The reasoning behind a lack of special underwear or hernia support for dogs is probably due to the limited market and the fact it would be classed as a medical device imposing costly regulatory hurdles to bring such a product to market. A soft diet and stool softeners would normally be sufficient in most cases. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Japanese spitch + aapso
Bulbul
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Anal Sacs In Left Side Of Anus
My dog was diagnosed with anal sacs first my vet the sacs brust and my vet did dressing and injected him with antibiotics and then prescribed oral antibiotic for night time..today is day four and his wound was swollen then my vet extracted the puss and said it might be hernia as well. My dog is female her name is bulbul she is 3 years old she is small and a mix of japenes spitch and aapso
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
It is possible that anal sac problems caused difficulty in defecating which in turn may lead to increased pressure in the abdomen during defecation which can cause a perineal hernia. An x-ray could confirm (if your Veterinarian cannot palpate with his finger). Also, surgery may be required to correct the hernia and remove any debris or abscess capsule. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Dachshund
Sammy
11 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Wetting In Bed
Post Surgery For Perineal Hernia
My friend's 11 y/old neutered dachshund had successful surgery for a perineal hernia about two months ago. Sammy seems fine, much more alert and active than before. Just in the past 7-10 days he has been biting and licking in the area along his side foreward from where the pouch protruded, not in the anal area where the scar is. He has tended to do this in the past although in different places... he is going to have a bath and be deflea-ed although no one has spotted a flea. Twice Sammy in the 7-10 days Sammy has wet in his bed when my friend was gone for awhile... not for a long time. Usually if he has to pee in the house he chooses somewhere not near his bed. He sleeps with my friend and has not wet there. We are concerned that this is related to the surgery. Sammy was adopted late in life and has a history of separation anxiety that pretty much disappeared now that he goes almost everywhere with my friend. He is certificated as my friend's therapy dog; keeping Sammy healthy is very important. Also, he comes to the mental health wellness center I supervise and eats treats with everyone. What do you think? Otherwise he acts perfectly fine.
July 26, 2017
2 Recommendations
One of the symptoms of perineal hernia is urinary incontinence in some cases, but we would see the incontinence before surgical correction and not afterwards (especially after two months). The biting around the area of the surgical site maybe indicative of pressure placed on the pelvic diaphragm (perineal hernias may recur) or local irritation of tissue. It would be useful to bathe and give flea and tick treatment to make sure that isn’t the cause. Otherwise I would suggest having a rectal examination performed to see if your Veterinarian can palpate anything. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Thank you so much... a great service here!
July 26, 2017
Sammy'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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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
