Rectal prolapse is common in young animals in association with severe diarrhea and straining. Causal factors include severe enteritis, endoparasitism, disorders of the rectum (eg, foreign bodies).
Animals of any age, breed, or sex may be affected. It may be associated with coccidiosis. It is common in sheep with short tail docking and especially in intensively fed lambs, in which high-concentrate rations may be the cause. Accidental exposure to oestrogenic fungal toxins from forages, may also predispose large animals to rectal prolapse.