Maggie will have surgery for a rectal polyp...(not anal polyp)

[maggiefromnj]

Maggie has had blood on her stool since february. The vet diagnosed her with a polyp in her rectum, about an inch or so inside. This is NOT an anal polyp. When I first noticed it there would be blood on a tissue if I wiped it. A quarter size spot. Initially it was a polyp on a stalk, but after antiobiotic, miralax and meloxicam it did shrink and the blood was only on the stool. It makes a 1/4 inch wide stripe on the stool.

After a month of miralax and antibiotic it hasn't improved. My vet said to take her to a surgeon. The surgeon will be everting her rectum to get to the lesion, which still has some stalk but also seems to have a wider area which may just be irritation. (this info is from doing a rectal exam with her finger). I am just glad that they can reach it with eversion rather than abdominal surgery. (This means they pull part of her rectum OUT to work on it.)

Apparently this is an uncommon issue. They said her blood work was excellent and that these are usually benign, but of course no promises. The chest x-ray is $350!! I can have it done before surgery, or after (after if the biopsy comes back bad), or not at all if the biopsy is good. The vet did mention how lively Maggie is (no fatigue or listlessness) so she doesn't suspect any heart problems, and is leaving it up to me.

I hate having to put her through this because it will not be without risk or discomfort. SHE thinks she is fine! She acts perfectly normal. Sometimes her appetite isn't good, but we are pretty sure that is because the medications have her skipping 1-2 days between bm's. She isn't as hungry when she hasn't gone and she gets gassy. After she goes she is back to eating normally.

COVID note, they make you wait in the car and pick the dog up from you. The vet phones you after she examines the pet. THIS is not the ideal way to do this. I could wait, as it's not an emergency, but the fact that it bleeds means it could also become infected. Since it's not getting better on its own we think we should just do it next week.

Just wanted to share this experience even though I don't think anybody else has gone through it because I can find very little when I search the internet.

[kjc]

So sorry for you to have to be going through this now. Sounds like a quick recovery though so that’s good. Hugs and prayers for both of you.

[nanajoy]

So sorry to hear that, on top of everything else to be concerned about at this time, you have to deal with this! The prognosis sounds very good though, and I am sure that you will both feel much more relieved when the procedure is over. (((hugs))) I will keep you and your sweet Maggie in my thoughts!

[chasemom]

We will keep you all in our prayers.

[matese]

Although the time is not ideal, Maggie's health is a priority. Keeping Maggie in my thoughts and prayers.

[Lovetodream88]

I’m so sorry. I hope everything works out. Please keep us updated. I am slightly frustrated with how the exams have to be done too.