My cat's anus is sometimes visible. Is this a rectal prolapse?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sweetums is adorable! As long as the rectum is prolapsed (a red tubular structure is coming out of the anus) and she isn't scooting what you are seeing is probably normal. Sometimes the anus can look prominent after a bowel movement or if she has to go. Have a good day

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It sounds like a partial prolapse, anal gland problem or rectal mass (less likely due to young age). Please, take Ushi to your local vets for an appointment. Mild, partial rectal prolapse is usually treated with medications to soften up stools, while more severe cases need surgical treatment. Fully clinical examination should suffice to make the definite diagnosis and recommend the best treatment for Ushi.

Thanks for using PetCoach. I’m sorry to hear about Lulu! Some mild protrusion during defecation and for a minute after is not uncommon and is usually nothing the worry about. However, I always deworm these guys anyways, as roundworms are a common cause of rectal prolapse. Something like this usually works if that’s the problem. VIP - TM-_-58700003271149947&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos={adpos}&scid=scplp1246100&sc_intid=1246100&kwid=p27187667103&device=m&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoujYo_P72QIVj2p-Ch3FMwYjEAQYASABEgJ_ofD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Her stools look slightly soft which can also exacerbate this problem so I’d add 1 tsp benefiber powder to each meal. (Shouldn’t be a problem for the hypoallergenic trial.) If you are seeing more than 5mm of red anal tissue or it is staying “out” for more than 2 minutes, it’s time to see the vet. Hope this helps and best of luck to you and Lulu.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If it has gone back to normal, then it likely was just a bit harder for him to pass that bit of poop. This could have been a one-off episode for Pumpkin, or it could be a sign that his poops are too hard. You can try just monitoring him and feeling his poop to see if it is hard or squishy. If it is hard, or very wide for his anus, then try adding canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling, just plain canned pumpkin) to his diet. This will increase fibre. Also, with his name it is fitting that this should help him. Otherwise, just keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't stay out. If it comes out and stays out, this is a true emergency which requires fixing right away. Best of luck with Pumpkin.

I would recommend that you have Princess seen by your veterinarian. A rectal prolapse may need surgical correction and will get worse with time, if left untreated. Diarrhea can exacerbate a prolapse. An infection with a parasite called coccidia can cause diarrhea and causes enough irritation in some pets to cause a prolapse. Your veterinarian may recommend checking a stool sample to see if this is part of the problem. I would also recommend that you have Princess spayed to prevent future litters of kittens. Unspayed female cats are at higher risk for developing mammary cancer later in life and uterine infections.

If your cat has a prolapsed rectum it needs to be reinserted. If you do this at home it will likely come right back out. Typically these need to be reinserted under anesthesia and a purse string suture placed around the rectum to keep it in. I wish there was more you could do at home but unfortunately this is one of those things that needs to be done by a vet. Good luck.

Poor Nugget probably has a sore and inflamed little anus from her issues last week. If she's had any issues with diarrhea or straining in the litterbox, then she may need to see a vet for the proper diagnosis and medication. She could need a food change, or probiotics added to her diet, or just simply to be dewormed. Hope that helps!