Exploring the association between canine perineal hernia and neurological, orthopedic, and gastrointestinal diseases

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.

Ultrasound Morphology of Presumed Normal Anal Sacs in Dogs and Cats

“…The detected adverse finding was perineal pathology found in 8% of dogs, where the perineal hernia (36.4%) and urethrolithiasis (36.4%) were overrepresented. It should be noted that ASD might be the underlying cause of perineal hernia in dogs and cats [ 32 , 33 ]. Further studies would be necessary to evaluate the incidence of perineal hernias in dogs and cats with ASD.…”

Dimensional and spatial computed tomographic abnormalities of the rectum and prostate are only partly reversible after surgical repair of perineal hernia in dogs

“…This study is part of a larger project on PH in dogs. 8,15,16 Privately owned male dogs undergoing investigation of PH at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Helsinki (VTHUH) were CT scanned before and 3 months after PH repair between 2017 and 2021. Power analysis was conducted to compare the clinical outcomes of two surgical techniques.…”