Hemorrhoids in dogs

Hemorrhoids are rarely described in dogs, as the quadruped morphology of man's best friend effectively protects him from this disorder.

However, any abnormality in your pet's anus should alert you, because while it's probably not hemorrhoids, it may be a sign of a more serious health problem. Today, I'd like to take a closer look at dog hemorrhoids and, more importantly, the more serious conditions with which they are often confused.

 

What are hemorrhoids in dogs?

A hemorrhoid is a swollen blood vessel located in the anus. It is typically a bipedal problem, whose upright walking and vertical position of the digestive system highly predispose to the occurrence of this disorder. Even if the dog, as a quadruped, is therefore readily sheltered from hemorrhoids, it would seem that it can be affected under rare conditions. However, this phenomenon is not well described in the veterinary literature and seems to be really exceptional.

Contrary to humans, the appearance of hemorrhoids in dogs is never spontaneous, but rather secondary to another problem that disrupts the blood flow in the animal's rectum. Note that hemorrhoids can be both internal and external, but that, of course, they can only be observed with the naked eye in the second case.

In fact, in the vast majority of cases, a dog suspected of having hemorrhoids is actually suffering from a completely different problem. Our four-legged companions are, in fact, affected by a good number of anal zone affections that translate into swellings that lay owners naturally - but wrongly - associate with hemorrhoids, since these are by far the most common affections that one crosses in this zone among bipeds.

However, if human hemorrhoids are generally benign, the disorders that can affect the dog's anal area can be more severe, especially if the owner neglects them by confusing them with this small venous disorder typical of bipeds.

 

 

 

Conditions commonly mistaken for dog hemorrhoids

While hemorrhoids are extremely rare in dogs, there are other much more common conditions that can be easily confused with this condition. Because of the high prevalence of these conditions compared to hemorrhoids in our four-legged friends, it is highly advisable to consider hemorrhoids rather than a venous disorder - otherwise typically human - if you observe an abnormality in your dog's anus.

Inflammation of the anal sacs
Inflammation of the anal sacs is a very common disorder in our dog friends, which can be translated by a swelling of the anal glands of the animal which can easily be confused with hemorrhoids. The anal glands, or anal sacs, as they are medically called, are small pouches located on either side of the dog's anus, respectively at 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock, if we consider the orifice of your dog as a clock.

Each of these two small bags contains a very odorous substance, whose perfume, color and consistency vary according to the mood of the animal. When a dog defecates, the contents of the anal glands are scattered on the stool, leaving a message for any other dogs that may come across the excrement on their way.

Many diseases, more or less serious, can affect these small glands, which are of capital importance for the dog, even if the owner may be put off by the idea of looking into them. Obstruction, inflammation, abscesses, infection, fistulas or tumors... Many of these conditions can cause a deformity of the anal sacs, giving your dog's hindquarters a swollen, puffy appearance, not unlike a hemorrhoid-ridden rectum.

More often than not, inflamed anal sacs are very painful, and the dog tends to rub his hindquarters on the ground and lick himself intensely in an attempt to relieve his suffering, which often results in unbearable breath.

Perianal tumors in dogs
Perianal tumors in dogs are relatively common - much more so than hemorrhoids. Because they involve an area that is not often considered by the dog's owner, they are often diagnosed late, which is detrimental to the dog's prognosis. The tumors take the form of larger or smaller masses, sometimes with an inflamed appearance, which vary in size and location. The most common perianal tumor in dogs is the perianal adenoma, which is a benign mass in the majority of cases and develops mainly under the influence of male hormones (androgens).

Anal prolapse in dogs
Anal prolapse is a protrusion of the internal tissues of the anus to the outside of the dog's body. It should not be confused with rectal prolapse, which is more serious and in which the rectum escapes through the dog's anus. If a rectal prolapse can rarely be confused with hemorrhoids, an anal prolapse can easily be confused. This abnormality allows red and swollen mucous membranes to appear at the level of the anus, which can easily make one think of this famous venous disorder.

 

Treatment and prognosis of hemorrhoids in dogs

It's important not to automatically assume that your dog has hemorrhoids when you see swelling and/or abnormal irritation in his rectum: this condition is very rare, so it's very likely that your pet has anything but. An inflammation of the anal glands is highly probable, as well as a tumor of the perianal area or, more rarely, an anal prolapse.

Only a veterinarian will be able to diagnose the actual disease your dog is suffering from and implement a suitable treatment. Depending on the nature of the actual pathology that is causing your dog's pain, the therapies indicated may be medicated and/or surgical.

In the vast majority of cases, conditions that can be mistaken for hemorrhoids in dogs are benign, and the prognosis for the animal is good. Despite the benign nature of most canine perianal conditions, it is still essential that you do not let a disorder of the anal area of your pet linger just because it is an unloved area that no one likes to look at.

Malignant tumors can also be found there, and infections of the anal glands, which are frequent in dogs, can become complicated. Not only can they cause your dog a lot of pain, but they can also lead to irreversible lesions resulting in fecal incontinence.

 

 

FAQ

Can a dog have hemorrhoids?
The existence of hemorrhoidal pathologies in dogs is not totally excluded, but this type of disorder is very rarely described in the veterinary literature. It is generally accepted that hemorrhoids are more of a disorder of bipeds, due to their center of gravity and the vertical position of their digestive tract. It is therefore wise to assume that any abnormality in your dog's perianal area is most likely due to something other than hemorrhoids and deserves veterinary attention.

How do you treat hemorrhoids in dogs?
It is highly unlikely that a dog will suffer from hemorrhoids, but many conditions in the perianal area can easily be mistaken for them. Their treatment will depend on their nature, which only a veterinarian can identify. If you notice an abnormality in your dog's anal area, it is highly recommended that you take him to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

What conditions are frequently mistaken for hemorrhoids in dogs?
When owners think they see hemorrhoids in their dog's hindquarters, they are usually looking at a completely different condition. Most often, it is an inflammation of the anal sacs that results in swelling and redness at the level of the dog's anus, precisely at 4h and/or 8h from the orifice. Tumors in the perianal area can also be mistaken for hemorrhoids, as can anal prolapses, which show a red, swollen mucosa protruding from the animal's orifice.

What causes hemorrhoids in dogs?
Hemorrhoids occur only very rarely in dogs and are rarely described in the scientific literature. However, many other diseases can cause symptoms that may lead the owner to believe that the dog has hemorrhoids. These include inflammation of the anal glands, tumors in the perianal area and anal prolapses.

Although hemorrhoids are almost unheard of in dogs, our four-legged friends are not spared from pathologies of the perianal area. The often benign tumors that frequently plague the dog's anal sacs or perianal area can easily be mistaken for hemorrhoids, but require a completely different treatment and can have dramatic consequences on your pet's health.

In order to give your pet the best prognosis, it is important not to assume that your pet is suffering from hemorrhoids if you notice an abnormality in his hindquarters.

In reality, this is highly unlikely, and there is a good chance that he will have a condition that requires prompt veterinary attention, even if it is benign.