Who should rectal exams be performed on?

Rectal examinations are a crucial part of assessing a dog's overall health and should be performed on all dogs, regardless of their sex or age. This procedure allows veterinarians to evaluate a number of important health factors, including checking for signs of disease, abnormalities in the anal region, or issues with the prostate in males.

Performing rectal exams on all dogs helps in the early detection of health issues such as tumors, abscesses, or other abnormalities that might not be visible through external examination. This thorough approach ensures that no potential health concerns are overlooked, making it an essential practice in veterinary medicine.

Other options, which restrict rectal exams to certain groups like males, only older dogs, or only female dogs, limit the benefits of this important diagnostic tool. Each dog can present unique health challenges, and rectal examinations offer valuable insights that are applicable to every dog, regardless of these characteristics.