Dog anal hernia: Can diet manage it, or is surgery necessary?

Yes, I would recommend at the least having Dino neutered. Perianal hernias are almost always due to increased testosterone levels which weakens the muscle of the pelvic floor. Neutering would help prevent further damage to these muscles but would not reverse the problem. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The perineal hernia will not correct by itself, it will not get better after castration either. It may stay as a small hernia and you will never have to do anything about it, but it may get bigger and you may have to get it fixed surgically. It is not an emergency as long as Bodie is going to the toilet without any difficulties. There is not much that you can do to prevent it. You have to avoid constipation, and his diet should be rich in fibre.

Ideally, Pepa should be examined by your veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis. A hernia is a possibility. Anal gland issues or an enlarged prostate are also concerns. These last two are likely less expensive to treat than hernia surgery, but without a diagnosis, it is difficult to say with any certainty. Discuss treatment options with your veterinarian after a physical exam.

Poor Cooper! That is quite a large bump on his bottom, and it sounds like you are in a tough spot at the moment. Without seeing him in person, I can't say for certain what is best for him but I can give my opinion. Given that he is trying to eat and drinking, and is running around, you can ask your vet if an enema and stool softener may help. The problem is that it would be a temporary fix if it did work, and the hernia will continue to get worse over time. Given his relatively young age, it may be worth speaking with another vet to get a second opinion, such as a specialized veterinary surgeon. Veterinary surgeons have extensive training in surgery, and they may be able to attempt surgery to see if that can fix his hernia and prevent you from making the decision to put him to sleep. I think that would be a worthwhile avenue to pursue for him, and it may give you the option of surgery. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

They can and you definitely want to avoid them straining to defecate. It is best to feed very soft foods, bland and easy to digest as well. Also, your vet should have given you a type of laxative to make the stools soft until the surgery has healed. Did they do that? After the surgery has healed there should be no ill effects. Hope this helps. If you have more questions you can always opt for a private consultation where we can chat back and forth. That way you can ask as many questions as you'd like. Best wishes.

You cannot give him any human pain killers, only pain killers that have been prescribed by your vet. he can be operated, there is probably no other option as his intestines are likely getting blocked due to the hernia, special caution will need to be taken because of his epilepsy, his age and his general health condition.

Perineal surgery is extremely difficult due to the abnormal/stretched anatomy and narrow safety margins to avoid major nerves and blood vessels. As the muscles and nerves have been stretched and displaced, normal outline and normal healing is unpredictable and outcomes are not certain. Infection of the surgical site is a significant risk also and many patients which develop hernias also have additional complicating factors with regards to anesthetic safety also. Recovery is slow, painful and often incomplete and such a surgery should never be undertaken lightly. I am sure your vet would have considered all possible risks and outcomes in assessing his case