Mongrel dogs were randomly assigned into two groups: the Fecobionics device group, and the THD SensyProbe control group. All animals were anesthetized, the devices were transanally inserted into the rectum, and then inflated at 20 ml. Six minutes later the devices were removed either naturally or manually. The animals in each group were randomly assigned into two subgroups, acute and chronic. The dogs in the acute subgroups were euthanized immediately after the removal of the devices, whereas the dogs in the chronic groups were euthanized two weeks after the device removal. The tissue samples were harvested upon sacrifice.