Manual reduction of rectal prolapse associated with suspected coccidial enteritis in a kitten

Rectal prolapse in kittens commonly develops after persistent tenesmus and requires prompt reduction together with management of the underlying disorder. A 2-month-old male domestic kitten weighing 0.55 kg presented with a 3-day history of persistent anorectal tissue protrusion, chronic watery-to-mucoid diarrhea, and reduced appetite. The kitten was underconditioned (body condition score, 2/5), clinically dehydrated, and had pale mucous membranes. A red, edematous, but viable cylindrical mass protruded from the anus. Native fecal microscopy detected sporulated and unsporulated oocysts that were morphologically compatible with Cystoisospora spp.; species-level identification was not possible. Rectal prolapse associated with suspected coccidial enteritis was diagnosed after ileocolic intussusception, hemorrhoidal disease, and an anorectal mass were suspected. The tissue was cleansed, treated topically with hypertonic dextrose, manually reduced under local anesthesia, and retained with a purse-string suture. Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, and supportive medications were administered. Clinical recovery was favorable, and no prolapse recurred during the available follow-up. This case supports an early tissue-preserving reduction when rectal viability is maintained, while emphasizing that fecal oocyst detection alone establishes infection, but not definitive causation, of diarrhea.