My Dog Has Tissue Sticking Out of Their Rear End. What Do I Do?

If you’re seeing a red or pink mass of tissue sticking out from your dog’s rear end, it’s understandable to panic. What you’re likely looking at is a rectal prolapse, where the inner lining of the rectum has pushed outside the body. It looks alarming, and it is something that needs prompt veterinary attention. Here’s what it means, what to do right now, and what treatment looks like.

Rectal prolapse in dogs can range from partial (just a small amount of tissue visible) to complete (a significant mass protruding from the anus). Either way, it doesn’t fix itself, and trying to handle it at home can make things worse. Keep reading.

What rectal prolapse looks like in dogs

A prolapsed rectum usually appears as a cylindrical or donut-shaped mass of red, pink, or dark tissue protruding from your dog’s anus. It may look moist and inflamed, or dry and discolored if it’s been exposed for a while. In a partial rectal prolapse, only a small ring of tissue is visible, often only during or right after straining. In a complete prolapse, the tissue stays out even when your dog is resting.

The color matters. Bright red or pink tissue is still receiving blood supply. Tissue that’s turning dark purple or black is losing circulation, which is a more urgent emergency. Either way, call your vet immediately.

Symptoms to watch for

Beyond the visible protruding tissue, your dog may show other signs that something is wrong:

• Visible protruding tissue from the anus: This is the defining sign. Any visible tissue coming out of your dog’s rear end is a same-day vet visit, no exceptions.
• Straining to defecate with little or no success: Called tenesmus. If your dog is clearly trying to go and can’t, and you’re also seeing anything unusual near the anus, treat it as urgent.
• Scooting or dragging their rear along the ground: Can indicate discomfort in the rectal area alongside other signs.
• Licking or biting at their hindquarters Your dog is telling you something is wrong. Worth a same-day call to your vet if it’s persistent.
• Blood or mucus around the anus Can accompany a prolapse or signal the irritation that’s causing the straining.
• Loss of appetite or lethargy If the prolapse has been present for some time. A dog that was recently fine and is now off their food alongside any rear-end symptoms needs to be seen.

Puppies are especially prone to showing these signs after repeated bouts of diarrhea or constipation. Their tissues are more pliable and more prone to prolapsing when they’re under strain.s been present for some time

What causes rectal prolapse in dogs

Anything that causes your dog to strain repeatedly. The most common culprits are:

• Intestinal parasites (like whipworms or roundworms), which irritate the gut and cause chronic straining
• Diarrhea, especially prolonged or severe cases
• Constipation, which forces your dog to push harder than usual
• A foreign body in the digestive tract, blocking normal passage
• Urinary tract issues, including bladder stones or prostate problems in male dogs, where straining to urinate puts pressure on the rectal tissue
• Rectal or colonic masses that cause obstruction or irritation

Puppies are particularly susceptible, often because of heavy parasite loads or sudden dietary changes that trigger intense diarrhea. But any dog can develop a prolapse if the underlying straining issue goes unchecked.

What to do right now (and why “home fixes” can backfire)

This section exists because a lot of owners search for ways to treat this at home or wonder if it’ll resolve on its own. The honest answer: it won’t, and trying to handle it yourself can cause serious harm.

What you can do on the way to the vet 

Keeping the exposed tissue moist is the one thing you can safely do before you get there. Gently apply a small amount of water-based lubricant (like KY Jelly) or plain water to keep the tissue from drying out. You can also loosely cover the area with a clean, damp cloth or gauze to protect it during transport. Do not wrap it tightly or apply pressure.

What not to do

Don’t apply ice, petroleum jelly, or anything medicated without being directed to by a vet.

Don’t try to push the tissue back in yourself. Without knowing what’s causing the prolapse or whether the tissue is damaged, you risk tearing tissue, introducing infection, or making the underlying problem worse.

Don’t wait to see if it resolves. Exposed rectal tissue dries out and can lose its blood supply within hours.

Diagnosis and treatment

Your vet will confirm the prolapse visually and work to identify the underlying cause. This usually means a physical exam, a fecal test to check for parasites, and possibly imaging like X-rays to rule out a foreign body or internal obstruction.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on how long the tissue has been prolapsed, how much damage has occurred, and what caused it in the first place.

• Manual reduction: If the tissue is still healthy, your vet may be able to gently push it back into place under sedation or anesthesia. This is followed by a purse-string suture, a temporary stitch placed around the anus to hold the tissue in position while it heals and while the underlying cause is treated.
• Colopexy: For dogs who prolapse repeatedly, a surgical procedure called a colopexy attaches part of the colon to the inner abdominal wall to prevent it from pushing out again. It’s a more involved surgery, but it significantly reduces recurrence.
• Amputation of the prolapsed segment: If the tissue is too damaged to save (dark, necrotic, or non-viable), the vet may need to surgically remove that portion. This sounds extreme, but dogs recover well when it’s done promptly.
• Treating the root cause: None of the above works long-term without addressing what caused the straining. That might mean deworming for parasites, dietary changes for diarrhea or constipation, removing a foreign body, or managing a urinary condition.

Rectal prolapse surgery cost varies depending on the severity, the procedure required, and your location. Manual reduction with a purse-string suture is less expensive than a colopexy or tissue resection. Your vet can walk you through an estimate before proceeding.

Does pet insurance cover rectal prolapse in dogs?

Vet bills for something like this can add up fast, especially if surgery or hospitalization is involved.

Rectal prolapse is covered under a Lemonade Pet accident and illness policy, as long as it’s not pre-existing and develops after your waiting periods end. That includes diagnosing what caused the prolapse and covering surgical procedures like colopexy. Coverage needs to be in place before your dog shows symptoms, so the time to think about this is before you’re in crisis mode.

Before we go

Rectal prolapse is scary to see, but it’s treatable, especially when you act quickly. Get your dog to a vet today, keep that tissue moist on the way there, and don’t try to wait it out or fix it yourself. The faster you move, the better the outcome.

Rectal prolapse in dogs FAQs

A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of the policies issued, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage may not be available in all states. Please note that statements about coverages, policy management, claims processes, Giveback, and customer support apply to policies underwritten by Lemonade Insurance Company or Metromile Insurance Company, a Lemonade company, sold by Lemonade Insurance Agency, LLC.  The statements do not apply to policies underwritten by other carriers.