Surgical Management of Rectal Prolapse in an Elk Bull

Rectal prolapse is encountered in all domestic animal species but clinical report regarding the condition in the elk is limited. A 10-year-old elk bull weighing 400 kg was referred to the Large Animal Hospital of Kyungpook National University with clinical signs including intermittent tenesmus related to rectal prolapse and anorexia for the previous 5 days. Type II rectal prolapse was diagnosed based on the history and clinical signs. An emergency resection and anastomosis including a purse string suture was performed under general intravenous (IV) anesthesia in field to prevent injury of the patient and the staff. The patient recovered unevent-fully after the surgery without excitement. A systemic antibiotic and an anti-in-flammatory drug were given to prevent postoperative complication and relieve pain. The follow up on the patient after 4 weeks of the surgery showed that the prolapse recurred due to intermittent straining after 2 weeks of the surgery. The patient was on the glucocorticoid for the following 3 days but was finally eutha-nized owing to the exacerbation of the prolapse 1 week after the recurrence. This report describes a rare case of rectal prolapse in an elk bull and the clinical outcome of the surgical repair in detail.