Disorders of the Rectum and Anus in Cats

The anal sacs are glands located on each side of the anus. They are related to the scent glands in skunks and produce small amount of dark, foul-smelling liquid which is normally squeezed out during defecation. Anal sacs may become clogged (impacted), infected, abscessed, or cancerous. Anal sac disease is much less common in cats than in dogs. In cats, the most common form of anal sac disease is impaction.

Signs are related to pain and discomfort associated with sitting. The cat may scoot its buttocks on the ground, lick or bite at the anal area, and have painful defecation with straining. If the glands are impacted, hard masses can be felt in the area of the sacs. If a gland is abscessed, an oozing sore may be located next to the anus. A rectal examination by a veterinarian will usually be done to diagnose anal sac disease. Additional tests may be needed if infection or a tumor is suspected.

Your veterinarian can often squeeze out impacted anal sacs by hand. If the material in the sacs is too hard or dry, your veterinarian may infuse a softening agent into the sac. If infection is present, antibiotics might be prescribed. Supplemental fiber may be recommended to increase fecal bulk, which facilitates anal sac compression and emptying. If treatment is ineffective, a tumor is present, or the condition keeps coming back, surgical removal of the sac(s) may be required. A common complication from this surgery is fecal incontinence; however, the incontinence is usually temporary.

A rectal or anorectal stricture is a narrowing of the rectum or anus caused by scar tissue. Injuries that lead to strictures may result from foreign objects or trauma (such as bite wounds or accidents), or they may be a complication of inflammation. Tumors in the area can also compress the rectum. In cats, anorectal strictures are more common than rectal strictures, but neither condition is frequent. Treatment involves balloon dilation and the injection of medications into the region, both performed under anesthesia.

Malignant rectal tumors in cats are usually cancers involving lymph tissue (lymphosarcoma). Cats with rectal lymphosarcoma are treated with chemotherapy.

The growths called rectal polyps occur infrequently in cats. The polyps are usually benign (noncancerous) and do not spread. Signs include straining to defecate, blood in the feces, and diarrhea. The polyp can be felt by a veterinarian during a rectal examination, and its surface tends to bleed easily. An endoscopic examination may be required to see the polyp. Periodically, the polyp may protrude from the anus. Surgical removal is usually followed by rapid recovery and lengthy survival time. Your veterinarian may send a tissue sample from the polyp to a laboratory for microscopic analysis to confirm the diagnosis.

Rectal prolapse is a condition in which one or more layers of the rectum protrude through the anus. Prolapse may be classified as incomplete (only the innermost rectal layer is protruding) or complete (all rectal layers are protruding).

Cats of any age, breed, or sex may be affected, although the condition commonly occurs in young cats that have severe diarrhea or that routinely strain to defecate. Prolapse can be caused by a number of intestinal, anorectal, or urinary diseases.

An elongated, cylinder-shaped mass protruding through the anal opening usually indicates a rectal prolapse. However, prolapses involving other parts of the intestine can have a similar appearance. No matter what type of prolapse is present, any tissue mass protruding from the anal opening should be promptly examined by a veterinarian.

Identifying and eliminating the cause of prolapse is a key part of treatment. Small or incomplete prolapses can often be manually replaced by the veterinarian while the cat is anesthetized. This is usually followed by partial closure of the anus with stitches for 5 to 7 days to prevent the prolapse from happening again. In cases where tissue death is evident or where the living tissue cannot easily be repositioned through the rectum, surgery may be required. After treatment, a moist diet and a stool softener are likely to be recommended. Diarrhea occurring shortly after surgery may require additional treatment and should be discussed with your veterinarian.

A tear in the rectum or anus can be caused by a sharp object (such as a bone, needle, or other rough material) making its way through the digestive tract or from injury (such as a bite). The tear may involve only the surface layers of the rectum (partial tear) or penetrate all layers (complete tear). Signs may include constipation, straining, rectal bleeding, and reluctance to defecate. A diagnosis is based on these signs and inspection of the rectum and anus. Swelling may be present when the injury has been present for some time.

Treatment to avoid infection and close the wound should be started immediately. The tear will be cleaned and stitched closed. Depending on the location, abdominal surgery may be required. Antibiotics and stool softeners will probably be prescribed after surgery.

Also see professional content regarding disorders of the rectum and anus.