Dog Enemas Articles | Dogs

By: www.dog-lovers-online.com Staff

Giving An Enema
Thankfully, an enema is not often needed but is sometimes used in cases of severe constipation and in illnesses where it is inadvisable to give an aperient or purgative by mouth.

To give an enema, place the dog on a table-with large dogs, preferably in a yard-and have a jug containing the fluid at a higher level. Fill the syringe, making sure it is full as an injection of air can be very painful. Vaseline the bone point and insert into the rectum for its whole length (about seven inches). Give the injection slowly, then remove the syringe with a quick, smooth movement. Press the dog's flanks together for a few moments to give the enema a chance to act.

After use, wash the enema syringe in warm, soapy water and rinse in a solution of Dettol and water. It should be hung in a cool place to dry.

An enema consists of an injection of fluid into the bowel, by means of a syringe. For small dogs a straight glass syringe can be used, but for general use the ordinary Higginson's type of rubber apparatus is preferable. For simple constipation only a small injection is needed-for a toy, half a teaspoonful of glycerine mixed with two tablespoonfuls of warm water. For medium-sized dogs double the quantity, and for collie size four times. Soapy water (made from pure soap flakes or Castile soap) can be used instead of glycerine. In the case of a real obstruction -that is, not simple constipation-double the quantity can be given and the enema repeated three or four times. When it comes to ememas, most dog lovers would much prefer to leave this task to the local vet,