Rectal prolapse associated with enlarged seminal vesicles in a Vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)

A 7-year-old vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) died 8 days after surgery to repair the rectal prolapse. The animal had a history of tenesmus in a week leading up to the rectal prolapse. At necropsy enlargement and dilatation of seminal vesicles that appeared to cause posterior compression of the rectum leading to luminal narrowing. It was concluded that enlargement of the seminal vesicles may have serious consequences such as rectal obstruction and tenesmus leading to prolapse of the rectum in vervet monkeys and should be considered a rare cause of lower gastrointestinal disorders in this species and probably other species of nonhuman primates as well.