The rectal evaluation is essential, as it can reveal many unnoticed medical conditions that might never be seen normally. So even if a lot of pet parents think this test is not necessary or they also might think it may make their pet feel uncomfortable.
This is not the fact in this case, as this test proved to be helpful many times to unleash hidden illnesses. And as for this test being uncomfortable for pets. But for the greater good, we need to bear this for our pets so that the treatment can begin sooner. And we can take care of our pets better.
As for veterinarians, no matter what method they use to examine pets physically. The rectal examination should be always included in an annual physical examination of a pet.
1. The Rectal Wall
The rectal wall can reveal many underlying diseases, including terminal diseases like cancer (some types of cancers), bowel inflammation, obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, and various types of infections.
All of these can be detected by a veterinarian when they run their fingers through the rectum’s inner side. And the thickness, roughness, and dryness of the inner rectum wall different than normal can help them diagnose the disease for further treatment.
2. Fecal Tests
The fecal examination has always been one of the vital tests for veterinarians to perform whether it is a part of a rectal examination or not. During a rectal examination, feces can be taken for tests.
With it, the causes of many symptoms like ( weight loss, bad appetite, vomiting and diarrhea) that lead to an upset stomach for a pet can be deduced and treated.
3. Anal Tone Evaluation
Anal tone evaluation can determine if the muscles and their nervous system are functioning properly. If the nerves and muscles that of the anus area are working normally then a pet will have the control to hold their anus closed without any difficulty.
In this evaluation, the veterinarian will examine the anal area (tone) and assess its thickness. Any unusualness in the anal tone will help the vets to determine whether the issue is related to a nerve problem or a disease.
4. Anal Glands
Along with the anal tone, anal glands need to be examined too. Anal glands or anal sacs are two glands that secrete an odorous fluid when a pet excrete. The two sacs are located on both sides of the anus in a pet, between the internal and external sphincter muscles.
Due to infections, swelling, or rupture the sacs may stop secreting fluid on a regular basis. Thus while doing a rectal examination, anal problems can be revealed and treated before becoming a bigger disease.
5. Prostate Glands of Males
Prostate glands are found in males. The glands are located in front of the rectum and between the bladder and the penis. The prostate gland’s job is to secrete a liquid that protects and nourishes the sperms.
If a dog is not very big in size, vets can examine its prostate glands with their hands and determine its size. Irregular size of the prostate glands indicates many diseases, including prostatic cancer.
Most of the time males dogs have prostate problems especially neutered dogs are at higher risk. Neutered dogs have a very high chance of having prostatic cancer than non-neutered dogs. While non-neutered dogs’ prostate gland’s size gets bigger.
6. Vaginal Tract of Females
While performing the rectal evaluation, the vaginal tract in female pets should be examined too. As the vaginal tract is a part of the reproductive system, any irregularity can lead to birth diseases and problems.
Thus if a vet feels any unusualness while assessing the vaginal tract. They will decide to do further and more detailed tests.
7. The Urethra
The urethra is a thin tube that connects the urinary meatus with the urinary bladder for urine excretion in animals. While doing a rectal evaluation, veterinarians can examine a part of the urethra. As it lies along with the rectum of an animal, any abnormality with the urethra can be detected by a vet.
The urethra can get blocked by stones or by other substances or become infected or inflamed. These issues can lead to serious problems for the urinary system, if not detected and treated earlier.
8. Pelvic examination
The examination of the pelvis can tell a lot to a veterinarian. If a pet has been injured or not, or if the pet has arthritic problems or any other conditions related to bones can be determined.
All these can be detected by the vet when they feel the pelvic bone as it is attached to the spine, legs, and tail.
9. The Lymph Nodes
The lymph nodes are located under the pelvis. Abnormalities in the lymph nodes can give signs of diseases like cancer, or infections in the organs nearby.
Vets usually run their hands under the pelvic area to feel the lymph nodes and determine their size. If the lymph node’s size increases abnormally this calls for further tests to deduce the cause behind it.
10. The Search For Abnormal Masses
While performing the rectal evaluation veterinarians go through the whole rectal area. During this time if they feel or find any abnormal masses in any of the parts. The vets will go for further examinations and tests to determine if these masses are harmful or not.
These masses can indicate harmful tumors, cancers, inflammation, infections, etc. The parts that are felt for such kinds of masses are ( rectal wall, anus, anal glands, urethra, lymph nodes, and the reproductive tract.
Pets can become very aggressive while performing the rectal evaluation. So vets usually use sedatives to ease the process for everyone.
As the health of our pets is one of our top priorities. We always try to do everything perfectly about this matter and make sure we didn’t leave any loose ends. During the health examination of our pets, many pet parents ask tons of questions to the veterinarians and other health care staff relating to their pet’s health. Feel free to visit petdogplanet for more information about pet health issues, pet food reviews, and pet care tips and tricks.
This is to ease their heart and accumulate more knowledge about any possibility regarding any matter or signs that may be indicating a disease. So it can be dealt with as soon as possible.
There are a lot of hidden signs pet parents might not get if they did not know the reasons behind them. Thus every pet parent needs to know about certain signs of diseases. And reasons behind doing all the recommended tests and what are the benefits from it.
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