Perineal Hernia Surgery in Dogs

What It Is, Why It's Needed, What to Expect, and How We Support You

Why Might Your Pet Need This Surgery?

A perineal hernia occurs when the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm weaken or separate, allowing abdominal contents (such as fat, rectum, bladder, or intestines) to bulge into the perineal area near the anus. This condition is most common in older, intact male dogs and may cause:

  • Straining to defecate (tenesmus)
  • Swelling or asymmetry near the anus
  • Difficulty urinating (if the bladder becomes entrapped)
  • Pain or constipation

Surgical repair is often necessary to reposition the herniated organs and reinforce the pelvic muscles, restoring function and relieving discomfort.

Referrals Required for This Surgery

Our hospital does not provide diagnostic or consultation services for perineal hernia surgery. Instead, your pet's care is transferred to us once a referring veterinarian has performed the diagnostic workup and recommended surgery.

We require a referral for the following reasons:

  • The decision to pursue surgery should be made with your primary veterinarian, who knows your pet's medical history, has completed the necessary diagnostics, and can discuss the full range of treatment options with you.
  • Our surgical team's role begins after surgery has been advised. We do not offer in-clinic imaging, diagnostics, or pre-surgical consultations.
  • A referral allows us to prioritize patient safety by reviewing complete records and understanding the medical background before proceeding with anesthesia and surgery.

What qualifies as a referral?

We're flexible. A referral can be as simple as:

  • A shared set of medical records from your veterinarian
  • A treatment plan indicating that surgery has been recommended
  • A brief summary emailed, texted, or faxed from your vet's team
  • Direct communication between our team and your rDVM

Our team will review the records in advance, and if we have any questions, we'll reach out directly to the referring clinic.

If you're a pet owner, please talk with your veterinarian first about whether surgery is the right option. Once that decision is made, we're here to provide safe, compassionate, and efficient surgical care.

What Does the Surgery Involve?

Perineal hernia repair is performed under general anesthesia. The contents of the hernia are gently repositioned into the abdomen, and the weakened pelvic muscles are reconstructed using internal sutures and muscle flapping. In some cases, this surgery may be paired with a colpopexy to ensure that the colon remains in the appropriate location in the abdomen.

Many dogs will also be neutered during the procedure if they are intact, as testosterone is thought to contribute to the development of the condition.

Are There Alternatives?

Mild cases may be managed short-term with stool softeners or diet changes, but most dogs will need surgery to correct the problem and prevent life-threatening complications such as bladder entrapment or rectal necrosis.

What Are the Benefits?

  • Relieves discomfort and improves defecation
  • Prevents worsening of the hernia or emergency complications
  • May improve long-term quality of life and reduce recurrence when combined with neuter

What Are the Risks?

  • Anesthetic complications
  • Recurrence of the hernia
  • Infection or wound breakdown
  • Damage to surrounding structures (rectum, nerves, urethra)
  • Straining, incontinence, or post-op discomfort

What's Included in Our Surgical Care

Surgery Package: $1,230.00

Price includes:

  • A personalized anesthesia plan with multimodal pain control
  • IV catheter placement and fluids
  • Anesthesia and multiparameter monitoring
  • Surgical repair of the perineal hernia
  • Post-op stabilization and in-clinic recovery
  • Take-home medications (pain control and antibiotics)
  • Discharge instructions and recovery plan

When Additional Care Is Needed

In some cases, pets require more intensive or ongoing care after surgery. Because we are an outpatient only clinic, transfer to an overnight hospital may be recommended.

Pets may need overnight care, especially if:

  • They are very young, old, or systemically sick
  • They need 24-hour IV medications, stabilization, or intensive monitoring

If this happens, we will coordinate a transfer to an emergency or specialty facility, and any costs associated with that transfer and continued care will be the owner's responsibility.

Aftercare: What to Expect at Home

Your pet will go home with:

  • Prescription medications for pain and infection control
  • Instructions for activity restriction and wound care
  • Details on when to return for recheck or suture removal

Most pets start to feel better quickly once pressure and pain are relieved, but full recovery can take several weeks. We're here to help every step of the way.

Have Questions?

Please reach out to our team. We are happy to review records, coordinate with your veterinarian, and guide you through this process.