Rectal prolapse in kittens: prolapse or intussusception?
Newly adopted 3-month-old kitten with diarrhoea and tenesmus for a week. Today a 3 cm cylindrical, red, oedematous mass is protruding from the anus.
How do you distinguish a rectal prolapse from an intussusception protruding through the anus?
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A. By passing a lubricated blunt probe between the mass and the anal margin: in a prolapse it meets a blind fornix; in an intussusception it advances deeply
Correct. In a rectal prolapse the everted mucosa is continuous with the anal skin, so there is no space. If the probe passes several centimetres, it is an intussusception (often ileocolic) that requires ultrasound and probably surgery.
B. By colour: a prolapse is bright red and an intussusception is always black
Colour depends on duration and the degree of vascular compromise, not on the type of lesion.
C. By length: over 2 cm is always an intussusception
A complete rectal prolapse can measure several centimetres; length does not distinguish the two.
D. There is no need to distinguish them, as both are treated with a purse-string suture
Reducing an intussusception and closing it with a purse-string suture leaves the intestinal problem unresolved and may delay urgent surgery.
lightbulb Key takeaway
Rectal prolapse in young animals is secondary to tenesmus (parasites, diarrhoea): if the cause is not treated, it recurs. If the mucosa is viable, reduce it with lubricant and hyperosmolar solution and place a loose purse-string suture for a few days; if it is necrotic, it must be resected.
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Updated: October 31, 2026 · Educational content for veterinary professionals. It does not replace current clinical guidelines or the judgement of the attending veterinarian.