Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Canine perineal hernia and links to nerve, bone, and gut problems
By Åhlberg, Tuuli Maria et al.·Published in Acta veterinaria Scandinavica·2022·Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Exploring the association between canine perineal hernia and neurological, orthopedic, and gastrointestinal diseases.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 66 male dogs with perineal hernias (a condition where tissue pushes through the muscles around the anus) was studied to see if other health issues like gastrointestinal problems, neurological conditions, or orthopedic diseases contributed to this condition. The researchers found that while some dogs had decreased reflexes, there was no clear link between perineal hernias and the other health issues examined. This suggests that the reflex problems may be a result of the hernia itself rather than a cause. Treatment for perineal hernias typically involves surgery, which can help resolve the issue.
People also search for: dog perineal hernia symptoms · male dog surgery for hernia · why does my dog have decreased reflexes
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Perineal hernia (PH) is a relatively common condition in intact male dogs, but the etiology remains unclear. The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of gastrointestinal (GI), neurological, and orthopedic conditions to the development of PH in male dogs. Patient history with a focus on chronic GI disease was assessed using an owner questionnaire. Neurological conditions were explored, applying neurological, electromyographic (EMG), and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) examinations and combining these with computed tomography (CT) imaging. To exclude possible orthopedic diseases, an orthopedic examination was conducted together with CT analysis. The chi-squared test was used to assess the associations between categorical variables. RESULTS: Altogether, 66 male dogs with diagnosed PH were recruited for this study. The frequency of neurological, orthopedic, and GI diseases was low in dogs with PH. No signs of generalized neuro- or myopathies were detected. Still, perineal and bulbourethral reflexes were decreased or missing in 44.6% (29/65) and 40.0% (26/65) of dogs, respectively. Mild or moderate occlusion of the intervertebral foramen at the lumbosacral (LS) junction occurred in 18.5% (12/65) of dogs and was caused by spondylosis deformans in 83.3% (10/12). Moderate disc protrusion was evident in 9.2% (6/65) of dogs. CONCLUSION: No evidence was found that PH is caused by gastrointestinal, orthopedic, or neurological conditions. Abnormalities in perineal and bulbourethral reflexes are most likely secondary to PH.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36528598/