A Protruding Rectum in Pigs

The technical name for a protruding rectum in pigs is rectal prolapse. The condition occurs in other farm animals, but it is more prevalent in pigs. Prolapse originates from abdominal pressure, which forces a breakdown of the naturally weak pelvic muscles. Since the pelvis normally holds the rectum in place, a decrease in pelvic muscle strength allows it to fall.

  1. Diagnosis and Treatment

    • Rectum prolapses are usually visible and easy to identify. An additional, visual sign occurs when pen mates eat the prolapse, getting blood on their noses. For this reason, It is important to recognize a prolapse early in its occurrence and isolate the affected pig. Reinsert the prolapse and sew it in place with a mattress suture. If the prolapse is badly torn or chewed, treat the animal with a long-acting antibiotic to prevent infection.

    Body Conditions that Cause Prolapse

    • Any situation that causes abdominal pressure can ultimately be responsible for rectal prolapse. Constant straining from diarrhea, caused by salmonella or swine fever infection and constipation, which occurs in females close to farrowing, puts pressure on the abdomen. Rectal prolapse in sows occurs from excessive straining while giving birth. Boars can receive rectal damage including prolapse from riding each other. Excessive coughing caused by a respiratory disease increases abdominal pressure. Pigs develop colitis when abnormal fermentation occurs in the large bowel with excessive gas production increasing pressure. All of these conditions can cause rectal prolapse.

    Environmental Effects

    • Rectal prolapses increase in cold weather due to low house temperatures, causing the pigs to huddle together and increasing abdominal pressure. Other environmental conditions causing abdominal pressure include over-crowding, where pigs don't have room to lay on their sides and wet, slippery concrete floors without bedding. Insufficient water availability causes constipation with prolapse as a secondary effect.

    Importance of Proper Nutrition

    • Pigs have a tendency to over-eat, which causes abnormal fermentation in their large bowel; so feed them only what they need and do not try to satisfy their appetites. Feeding high-density or high-starch diets to obtain fast growth in pigs can produce the same effects as over-feeding. Rectal prolapse can be caused by grain contaminated with mycotoxins and high doses of certain antibiotics. Some antibiotics cause the lining of the rectum to swell, producing prolapse. Even a rapid change in diet can cause this condition.