Clinical features and surgical treatment of inflammatory colorectal polyps in miniature dachshunds: 40 cases (2002-2015)

The medical records of 40 client-owned miniature dachshunds were reviewed to analyze the clinical features of miniature dachshunds with inflammatory colorectal polyps (ICRPs) and to evaluate the therapeutic effects of surgical treatment involving the mucosa-submucosal pull-through technique. All the dogs underwent a physical examination, digital rectal examination, complete blood count, serum chemistry, colonoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, radiography, abdominal ultrasonography, surgical treatment (with the mucosa-submucosal pull-through technique), and postoperative care, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Typical clinical signs included hematochezia (100%), tenesmus (75%), and large intestinal diarrhea (70%). Colonoscopies revealed that the lesions were located only in the rectum in 18 cases (45%), involved the descending colon in 21 cases (52.5%), and involved the transverse colon in 1 case (2.5%). Endoscopic ultrasounds showed that the lesions were located within the mucosal layer in all dogs. The mucosa-submucosal pull-through technique was feasible in all cases without intraoperative complications. Short-term complications were observed; however, they rapidly resolved. No long-term complications were noted. Most dogs were prescribed NSAIDs and mesalazine for long-term postoperative medical management. The mortality rate was 0%; the recurrence rate was 12.5%. Our study described the clinical features of ICRPs in miniature dachshunds and revealed that the lesions were located in the mucosa-submucosal layer even in cases of adenocarcinoma. Our findings suggest the mucosa-submucosal pull-through technique improves the prognosis of miniature dachshunds with ICRPs.