Anus of pig

This is a widespread condition occurring in good growing pigs from 8 to 20 weeks of age. The onset is sudden. The size of the prolapse varies from 10 to 80mm and if small it will often revert to the rectum spontaneously. In most cases however the prolapse remains to the exterior and is often cannibalised by other pigs in the pen as evident by blood on the noses of the offending pigs and on the flanks of others. The fundamental cause is an increase in abdominal pressure which forces the rectum to the exterior. At the onset the red coloured mucosa of the rectum protrudes from the anal sphincter and then may return on its own.

The piglet is born with a blind end to its rectum, 5 to 10mm in length with no anus. The incidence in mature herds is usually less than 0. Some piglets may survive to weaning. The condition is heritable but of low penetrance. Records may indicate that a certain boar is involved.

All photos by the author. Crispy bungholes. I had never heard or seen this word used by anyone other than Beavis, whose alter ego, Cornholio, desperately sought TP for his bunghole.

Occurrence: Worldwide. Causes: Sequel to prolapsed rectum; blood vessel damage from bacterial infection. Effects: Abdomen enlargement, inappetence, ribbon-like diarrhoea, death. Rectal stricture often follows untreated rectal prolapse in which the prolapse has sloughed and may also follow enteritis in which excoriation of the rectal mucosa and the associated mucocutaneous junction is a feature.