Haemorrhoids or piles are small tumors situated near the anus. They consist of folds of the mucous and sub-mucous tissues, and usually contain large veins. These tumors may be in a state of congestion, swollen from inflammation and very sensitive, or they may exist as a simple thickening of the parts and comparatively free from pain. Sometimes the veins supplying the anus become morbidly dilated forming knots, and at times the blood in these distended vessels coagulates or clots, and a solid tumor is formed. Again the whole mucous membrane of the lower part of the rectum may become swollen, sensitive, and protrude at every evacuation of the bowels, causing great pain, and at times bleeding.

The tumors may be pendulous, varying in size, and hanging down from the rectum productive of great tenderness and discomfort. External piles may be met with in round bunches at the anus, in part covered by the mucous membrane and partly by the skin.

Causation

The predisposing causes are any influences which produce a fulness of the abdominal blood vessels, or obstruct the return of blood from the rectum to general circulation. Among them may be mentioned diseases of the liver, insufficient exercise, pregnancy, and habitual constipation. When the latter complaint induces piles, they may be as much attributed to the irritation and congestion which it excites as to the impediment to the course of blood produced, for otherwise the tumors would disappear when the bowels were freely moved, which is not the case.

The exciting causes may be straining to discharge the bowels as in dysentery, violent purgative medicines, in fact anything that irritates the lower bowel.

Symptoms

The dog will generally by his manner draw attention to the affection. Pain will lead him to lick the parts, and to relieve the itching which is commonly associated he will drag the anus along the floor, or will rub himself astride a bar or against a post. Swelling of the parts indicate the affection. Some blood may be found in the discharges.

Treatment

The primary object is to remove the predisposing and exciting causes. If the animal is over-fed and has insufficient exercise, his diet should be restricted and work be insisted upon.

The bowels should be regulated and the discharges kept soft and copious. The domestic remedy, cream of tartar and sulphur will probably be sufficient, and may be given each morning with the food, two teaspoonfuls of the former to one half a teaspoonful of the latter. If the piles are inflamed bathing them with cold water frequently will afford relief, and insure perfect cleanliness, one of the essentials. The following ointment should be freely applied to the swollen parts several times daily. -

℞ Acidi Tannici ℥ i.

Morph. Sulphatis gr.iv.

Pulv. Camphors ℥ ss.

Ungt. Stramonii ℥ i Ft. Ungt. Sig. External.

After the bowels have been regulated and the sulphur and cream of tartar are discontinued, it is advisable to give two teaspoonfuls of pure glycerin in each feeding for several weeks or until a cure is complete.

Tumors of long standing and not yielding readily to treatment should be removed by the actual cautery.

Hemorrhage from the rectum while it is frequently associated with piles, is rarely important enough to need interference; unless the loss of blood be sufficient to weaken, it will be a relief to the animal and no effort should be made to stop it.

If the bleeding is considerable and debility evidently results from it, a tonic of iron is demanded and may be given as follows. -

℞ Ferri Sulph. ℥ s s.

Acid. Sulph. dil. ℥ i.

Aquae ad. ℥ iv.

Ft. Mist. Sig. Dose one teaspoonful in a little water three times a day.