2025 Vet Guide: 10 Reasons Your Pet Might Need a Rectal Exam 🩺🐾

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Hello, I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. A rectal exam may seem intimidating, but it’s a powerful diagnostic tool that helps uncover serious—and sometimes surprising—health issues early. In this 2025 guide, I’ll explain why, as a pet owner, you should understand when this exam is called for, what vets check, and how to support your pet before, during, and after. 😊

🔍 Why Perform a Rectal Exam?

A rectal exam is more than just checking the behind—it’s a gateway to evaluating crucial body systems:

• Sphincter tone & neurological health
• Anal glands & sacs
• Rectal wall, pelvic organs, prostate
• Masses, strictures, infections, parasites

Vets typically include this examination at the end of a full physical exam because it informs many internal disciplines in one go.

1. Anal Gland Disease 🟤

Anal sac impaction or infection is extremely common, especially in small breeds. Blocked sacs cause scooting, licking, and foul odors. A quick rectal check can identify hard or inflamed sacs, enabling manual expression, medications, or even referral for surgical removal.

2. Neurological or Nerve Disorders 🧠

If your dog struggles to control defecation or shows changes in anal tone, this may signal nerve damage—from spinal injury, degenerative disease, or diabetes. A weak anal sphincter can indicate a need for further neurological evaluation.

3. Prostate Health (Male Dogs) ⚙️

In intact male dogs, the prostate can be enlarged from infection, benign hyperplasia, or cancer. Through a rectal exam, vets can feel size, texture, and symmetry—and guide diagnostics like ultrasounds or biopsies.

4. Vaginal and Urethral Abnormalities (Female Dogs) 🚺

Female patients may have vaginal masses, urethral obstructions, or signs of urinary tract issues. A rectal exam can also detect abnormalities not obvious externally and prompt a more detailed vaginal check.

5. Rectal Wall & Colon Health 🧬

Examination of the rectal mucosa may reveal thickening, rigidity, or nodules, suggesting inflammatory bowel disease, rectal strictures, or early signs of colon cancer. Palpation guides whether further imaging or colonoscopy is needed.

6. Pelvic Pain, Fractures, Hernias & Alignment 🦴

Pelvic injury, hernias, or structural abnormalities like hip dysplasia can often be detected via rectal palpation. A dip in bone alignment is palpable and critical for diagnoses, especially post-trauma.

7. Detecting Masses & Tumors 🎗️

Growths around the anus or in the ileum/colon often go unnoticed until detected digitally by your vet. A rectal exam can catch lumps early, crucial for timely intervention.

8. Perianal Fistulas & Chronic Infection 🌧️

In breeds like German Shepherds, draining sinus tracts (fistulas) occur around the anus. A rectal exam helps diagnose the extent of the disease and differentiate it from tumors or hernias.

9. Rectal Prolapse & Tears ➕

Be it sudden or recurrent, rectal prolapse can signal underlying diarrhea, straining, or foreign body issues. Feeling the rectum helps confirm the severity and condition before deciding on manual replacement or surgery.

10. Rectal Strictures or Narrowing 🚦

Scarring, tumors, foreign bodies, or inflammation can cause strictures. These narrowing impede stool passage; a rectal check often reveals them directly and prompts follow-up with imaging or balloon dilation.

📋 What You Can Expect at the Vet

• Gentle restraint and communication with your dog
• Digital palpation—often with lubricant, abrupt discomfort is minimized
• Assessment of anal tone, gland fullness, pelvic alignment
• Tissue sampling if abnormal findings (e.g., cytology, fecal sample)

Pre-procedure anxiety is common—bringing treats or having canine calming aids (Ask A Vet–recommended pheromone spray or chewables via Woopf/Purrz) can help your pet feel safe.

🧭 When to Schedule a Rectal Exam

• Chronic scooting, itchy chipper, or anal odor
• Straining, constipation or diarrhea not improving
• Visible swelling, bleeding, or tissue protrusion
• Signs of pelvic pain, lameness, or neurological deficit
• Routine in senior wellness check-ups—many problems are silent

💡 Post-Exam Steps & Treatment Paths

• Anal issues: Expression, infection management, high-fiber diet
• Neurological flags: Advanced imaging, referral to neurology
• Prostate care: Medication, castration, infection treatment
• Masses/tumors: Surgical removal, biopsy, staging
• Hernias and strictures: Surgical repair, dietary management
• Fistulas: Combination of medical and surgical therapy
• Prolapse or tears: Prompt reduction, suture placement, dietary change

✅ At-Home Support & Prevention

• Maintain healthy weight to reduce anal gland disease
• Feed fiber-rich or prescription diets to support stool quality
• Promote regular exercise and hydration
• Use parasite prevention and routine fecal screening
• Include annual wellness visits—often with rectal exams—from middle age onward

Supporting care tools from Ask A Vet include digestive-support chews, probiotics from Woopf, and anal gland aids carried through Purrz—all vetted by professionals for gentle, effective home support.

❓ FAQs About Rectal Exams

Is it painful? 

No—most pets tolerate it well. It’s quick; discomfort is minimal. Topical numbing for sensitive individuals can help.

Why can’t we skip it? 

It’s a key part of preventive health. Many issues (prostate enlargement, tumors, hernias) are silent until found during this exam.

How often should it be done? 

Guidelines suggest annually after age 5, more often if symptoms or risk factors are present. 

Do cats need them too? 

Yes—especially for anal sac disease, hairballs, parasites, or feline rectal issues, although cats are examined more gently.

✅ Final Takeaway from Dr Houston 🏁

A rectal exam is a simple yet invaluable part of your pet's health care, covering digestive, reproductive, neurological, orthopaedic, and oncologic systems in one go. Early detection through this exam can prevent suffering and save lives. If your pet shows any signs or reaches middle age, talk to your vet about including a rectal exam in routine check-ups.

For reassurance, symptom tracking, and support tools (like calming aids or fiber supplements), download the Ask A Vet app today. It’s your 24/7 partner in proactive pet health. 🐾📱