Any Experience With Prolapse Issues Caused by Neurological issues??

[Smiley14]

Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue just got in a new Boston Terrier puppy named Nismo that has a prolapsed anus and leaks pee and poop continually. He came to the rescue so sore, that he cries whenever they wipe him clean and he has infections in his bum as well. Very sad case for a tiny 3 pound baby! He went to the vet for surgery today, but end up not getting it as the vet thinks his issues might be more neurological. According to them, Nismo should still be hunching over to poop and squatting to pee. Snce it appears to the foster mom that he goes without knowing and doesn't hunch over to go that it's a Neurological issue, and that it can't be fixed. They did not perform the prolapse surgery yet because of this and MWBTR is left scrambling for answers on what to do next and how to help. They are trying to get him into a specialist if they can, but are short the funds right now. I'm not with the rescue directly, but am helping with a fundraiser, but we are trying to find if anyone out there has any ideas or experiences with his issues or if anyone has ever heard of this before?? It's just heartbreaking. Here is his petfinder link. But he won't be available for adoption for a long time, if ever. If anyone has any experience with this, I can PM you the foster mom's info. She is desperate for information right now.

[hazelrunpack]

I do know of a puppy that had a prolapsed anus, Smiley, but I'm not sure if that pup was hunching and squatting. The surgery was done and I know it was successful, but I'll see if I can find out about behavior before the surgery was done and get back to you.

[Smiley14]

Originally Posted by hazelrunpack

I do know of a puppy that had a prolapsed anus, Smiley, but I'm not sure if that pup was hunching and squatting. The surgery was done and I know it was successful, but I'll see if I can find out about behavior before the surgery was done and get back to you.

Thank you Hazel! In their previous experiences with prolapse, they've never run into this before. I'm hoping it's just bad information from that vet. So sad.

[hazelrunpack]

I just heard back. The pup didn't show any incontinence--but her case was much less severe, too. Only a small part of her rectum was prolapsed and there was never any real irritation before the surgery was done. So I guess there's nothing there in the way of enlightenment... :sad:

Is this puppy in MN? Have they tried a referral to the U of MN VTH?

[Smiley14]

Originally Posted by hazelrunpack

I just heard back. The pup didn't show any incontinence--but her case was much less severe, too. Only a small part of her rectum was prolapsed and there was never any real irritation before the surgery was done. So I guess there's nothing there in the way of enlightenment... :sad:

Is this puppy in MN? Have they tried a referral to the U of MN VTH?

Thanks for trying, Hazel! I REALLY appreciate it! They're in MI. Hopefully they can at least get him into a specialist for a second opinion/consult while they're raising the funds for a more expensive surgery (if one can even be done :sad

[Dr Lee]

Some rectal prolapses can be treated medically and some are treated both medically and surgically. If the prolapse gets really bad, it can be fatal. Once treated and managed, this part of the dog usually goes back to normal for the rest of their life (most of the time).

[Smiley14]

Originally Posted by Dr Lee

Some rectal prolapses can be treated medically and some are treated both medically and surgically. If the prolapse gets really bad, it can be fatal. Once treated and managed, this part of the dog usually goes back to normal for the rest of their life (most of the time).

Thank you again, Dr. Lee! This vet in MI led them to believe that if the cause is neurological, the surgery would be ineffective and nothing more could be done. They even cancelled the surgery today based on that assumption. It still seems odd to me they would come to that conclusion and go so far as not do surgery based on the sole observation he doesn't hunch to go and just leaks. Hopefully they can get him into another vet asap for a second opinion.

[Dr Lee]

I am sorry to hear about Nismo's problems. How old is Nismo? Is the rectal prolapse improving? What is being done to treat the rectal prolapse and the infection?

There are nerves that control the anal and bladder sphincters that come off of the spine. If there is neurologic damage or malformation then these can lead to problems. Since the nerves come off the spine, are there any problems walking?

Does the pet have sphincter tone? During a neurologic examination, one of the tests done is to lightly pinch (I use light pressure with forceps) the sides of the anus and see if it 'winks' back. If it winks back, that is evidence that the nerves are working.

Can radiographs (X-Rays) be taken? Sometimes puppies can have congenital issues like spina bifida, etc...

I have also worked with some very young boston terrier puppies that will poop while they walk and it be a difficult behavioral issue.

I hope this helps

[Smiley14]

Originally Posted by Dr Lee

I am sorry to hear about Nismo's problems. How old is Nismo? Is the rectal prolapse improving? What is being done to treat the rectal prolapse and the infection?

There are nerves that control the anal and bladder sphincters that come off of the spine. If there is neurologic damage or malformation then these can lead to problems. Since the nerves come off the spine, are there any problems walking?

Does the pet have sphincter tone? During a neurologic examination, one of the tests done is to lightly pinch (I use light pressure with forceps) the sides of the anus and see if it 'winks' back. If it winks back, that is evidence that the nerves are working.

Can radiographs (X-Rays) be taken? Sometimes puppies can have congenital issues like spina bifida, etc...

I have also worked with some very young boston terrier puppies that will poop while they walk and it be a difficult behavioral issue.

I hope this helps

Dr Lee, thank you so very much! I really appreciate your time and help. I sent your questions over to the foster mom. As far as I know, no trouble with walking. They thought and assumed it was a standard prolapse that could be corrected with surgery and dropped him off this morning for that surgery at a local vet in MI where the foster mom lives. They were shocked when the vet told them they think it's neurological and that nothing could be done. You would think they would still correct the prolapse, so that part confuses me. They want to get to a specialist as soon as they can as they know time can be of the essense. They've had over $10k in special needs rescue costs in the past month and so have to raise the funds first before they can do more to help him. In the meantime, are trying to find out as much information as possible. They were devastated to be told that "nothing could be done" and need to get a second opinion of an expert. Hopefully there is help for Nismo yet. He is a darling little puppy and is only 8 weeks old and 3.8 pounds. They just got him from the "breeder" (I use that term with sarcasm) on Monday so much is still unknown and in the initial stages at this point. I know he has no control and leaks poo and pee along with some blood, which they were told was from the irritation. I don't believe there has been any sign of improvement yet, but I don't think there's been enough time to really determine that yet either.