Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2007 Aug;48(8):827-30.

Rectovaginal fistula with anal atresia in 5 dogs

Sheila C Rahal  1 , Cristiane S Vicente, Ana C Mortari, Maria J Mamprim, Evelyn H G Caporalli
Affiliations

Rectovaginal fistula with anal atresia in 5 dogs

Sheila C Rahal et al. Can Vet J. 2007 Aug.

Abstract
in English, French

Five dogs with rectovaginal fistula and atresia ani that had been treated by surgical correction of the malformations were studied retrospectively. Ages at presentation varied from 1 to 3 months and weight from 350 g to 7.5 kg. The histories included voiding of feces through the vulva, with or without tenesmus, usually observed after weaning. Atresia ani, presence of feces in the vaginal canal, abdominal distention, and discomfort on abdominal palpation were observed during clinical examination. Also, 3 dogs had partial tail agenesis. In all dogs, the rectovaginal fistula was isolated and transected, the vulvar and rectal defects were closed separately, and the atresia ani was repaired. Normal defecation was restored, but 1 dog had fecal incontinence that subsequently resolved. One dog died 2.5 months postoperatively, and follow-up was done on the others for periods ranging from 1.6 year to 7.7 years. Surgical correction in dogs with rectovaginal fistula and atresia ani may result in a favorable outcome, if it is done early.

Fistule rectovaginale avec atrésie anale chez cinq chiens. Une étude rétrospective a été réalisée sur cinq chiens avec fistule rectovaginale et atrétocysie ayant été traités par correction chirurgicale. L’âge à la présentation variait de 1 à 3 mois et le poids de 350 g à 7,5 kg. Les histoires comprenaient de l’élimination de fèces par la vulve, avec ou sans ténesme, habituellement après le sevrage. L’atrétocysie, la présence de fèces dans le canal vaginal, la distension abdominale et l’inconfort à la palpation abdominale ont été observés lors des examens cliniques. De plus, 3 chiens avaient une agénésie partielle de la queue. Chez tous les chiens, la fistule rectovaginale a été isolée et sectionnée, les anomalies vulvaires et rectales ont été fermées séparément et l’imperforation de l’anus réparée. La défécation normale s’est établie mais 1 chien a souffert d’une incontinence fécale qui s’est résolue par la suite. Un chien est décédé 2,5 mois après l’intervention et les suivis ont été faits chez les autres chiens pour une période variant de 1,6 à 7,7 années. La correction chirurgicale chez les chiens présentant une fistule rectovaginale et une imperforation de l’anus peut mener à un résultat favorable lorsqu’elle est effectuée précocement.

(Traduit par Docteur André Blouin)

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Lateral plain abdominal radiograph of an approximately 1-month-old poodle (dog #3) before surgery. Note the abdominal distention, megacolon secondary to fecal retention, and radiopaque signal in the anal area (white arrow).
Figure 2
Figure 2
A 1-month-old female crossbred dog (number #4) with rectovaginal fistula and atresia ani. (a) Appearance before surgery showing partial tail agenesis (black arrow) and atresia ani (white arrow). (b) Intraoperative photograph showing the blind-ended rectum (black arrow) and isolated rectovaginal fistula (white arrow). (c) Appearance immediately postoperative after correction of rectovaginal fistula and atresia ani.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Dog #4 after correction of rectovaginal fistula and atresia ani. (a) Note moderate rectal prolapse at 10 days after surgery (arrow) and (b) normal area 1 month postoperatively.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Aronson L. Rectum and anus. In: Slatter DH, editor. Textbook of Small Animal Surgery. 3. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 2003. pp. 682–708.
    1. Wykes PM, Olson PN. Vagina, vestibule, and vulva. In: Slatter DH, editor. Textbook of Small Animal Surgery. 3. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 2003. pp. 1502–1510.
    1. Burrows CF, Sherding RG. Constipation and dyschezia. In: Anderson NV, editor. Veterinary Gastroenterology. 2. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1992. pp. 484–503.
    1. Rawlings CA, Capps WF., Jr Rectovaginal fistula and imperforate anus in a dog. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1971;159:320–326. - PubMed
    1. Amand WB. Nonneurogenic disorders of the anus and rectum. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1974;4:535–550. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources