How to give a dog an enema at home?

Procedure information

An enema is a device that injects a special solution into the rectum. The procedure is carried out for treatment or prevention. There are three types of enema that can be given to a dog:

• Cleansing. Used for constipation and to cleanse the intestines of parasites. When used correctly, it has an antioxidant effect on the body.
• Therapeutic. Used for administering special medical solutions.
• Nutritious. A similar procedure is necessary if the pet is not able to feed on its own; nutrients are introduced using an enema.

Attention! Any procedures are prescribed by a veterinarian. Self-administration can lead to unpleasant consequences for the dog.

Why do they do it?

Indications for the procedure:

• cleansing the intestines of accumulated feces (for constipation, atony or intestinal obstruction);

• 
  in case of poisoning accompanied by severe intoxication;

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• exhaustion of the animal due to serious illness;
• change in body temperature (sharp decrease or increase);
• treatment of gastrointestinal pathologies, for example, with enteritis;
• for worms;
• preparatory activities before the planned diagnostic examination of the gastrointestinal tract.

Types of enemas:

• medicinal;
• nutritious;
• cleansing

Taking into account their composition, penetration depth and temperature, they are divided into the following categories:

• warm;
• cold;
• contrasting;
• deep;
• shallow;
• siphon

Why is a cleansing procedure prescribed?

An enema for a dog is necessary in some cases. The need is determined after examination by a doctor. The following situations are distinguished:

• constipation,
• poisoning,
• performed operations on the abdominal cavity,
• hypothermia or overheating,
• inflammatory processes in the intestines,
• cleansing after deworming,
• preparation before various procedures and examinations of the abdominal organs,
• administration of medications.

In such cases, a correctly performed procedure will help alleviate the dog’s condition. In addition, the animal may become paralyzed as a result of accidents and will not be able to relieve the intestines on its own. In such a situation, a procedure will also be needed.

An adult dog is allowed to carry out the procedure at home after consultation with a doctor.

Causes of constipation in dogs

Improper feeding can cause constipation in your dog.

A dog may be constipated due to:

• violation of the feeding diet;
• switching to a new type of food;
• stressful situations associated, for example, with moving;
• poisoning and intoxication of the body;
• dysbacteriosis;
• intestinal obstruction (blockage by helminths);
• lack of exercise, walks;
• inflammatory processes occurring in the gastrointestinal tract;
• destructive changes associated with old age.

Constipation is not a disease or a diagnosis, but a symptom, and it is not constipation that needs to be treated, but a disease.

The diagnosis must be made by a qualified doctor . However, it is not always possible to contact him immediately, but the animal needs help. In this case, it is necessary to give an enema. You can figure out how to give a dog an enema at home, but you should remember that you can only use water as a solvent yourself. Medicines should be prescribed by a doctor, in accordance with the diagnosis. When providing assistance, the main commandment should be “Do no harm.”

Enema for constipation

When an enema is prescribed for a diagnosis, the solution can be either water or a medicinal substance.

Water can be used as an enema solution.

An anatomical feature of the dog is that when giving an enema, the liquid passes not only the entire large intestine, but also almost the entire small intestine.

Required Tools

You may not always have an emergency suitcase at hand, but the set is quite small and most likely available.

To carry out the procedure you will need Vaseline oil.

To carry out the procedure you will need:

• A syringe (rubber bulb) or an Esmarch mug;
• Warm water;
• Vaseline oil (as a last resort, sunflower oil).

In preparation for the procedure, it is necessary to boil the water and cool it to 35-37° C. This temperature will enhance peristalsis and will help remove the contents out.

Features and Rules

Baking soda will increase the effectiveness of water.

• The introduction of colder water is unacceptable ; it can cause intestinal spasms and anxiety in the animal. In addition, cold enemas can overcool the body and aggravate the course of the underlying disease.
• Being in the intestinal cavity, water dilutes its contents and exerts mechanical pressure , and also activates the secretory and neuromuscular apparatus.
• To enhance the effect of water, you can use alkaline salt enemas , with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and table salt. To prepare such a solution, you need to dissolve ¾ teaspoon of salt and dissolve soda in 1 liter of warm water. This composition produces a calming effect and washes away mucus from the intestinal walls.

Contraindications

Using an enema is not always allowed. In some situations, the procedure is unacceptable and can lead to negative consequences for the dog. An enema is not given in the following cases:

• Intestinal obstruction. A similar condition can occur as a result of helminthic infestations, the presence of foreign bodies in the intestines, volvulus, or the presence of neoplasms. In this case, an enema can cause intestinal rupture.
• Various intestinal injuries.
• Bleeding from the anus, ulcerative lesions of the stomach and digestive tract.
• Dehydration. The process occurs in a variety of poisonings, infectious diseases, vomiting and other pathologies. An enema in this case will lead to a worsening of the dog’s condition.
• Pregnancy and lactation of a pet.

In such cases, the procedure is not carried out. In addition, the process should be avoided if there are problems with the heart, blood vessels, respiratory system, as well as with exacerbation of chronic pathologies.

Attention! You should not give an enema to your dog based on advice from the Internet. Only a veterinarian can prescribe the procedure.

Contraindications to treatment

Before giving an enema to an adult dog or puppy, you should consult your veterinarian. In some cases, these procedures are absolutely useless, and sometimes even harmful. The hydrotherapy method is contraindicated for:

• volvulus;
• cracks on the walls;
• ulcers on the mucous membrane;
• internal bleeding;
• large loss of fluid;
• cancer, exacerbation of chronic diseases.

Enemas for pregnant and lactating dogs can only be given by specialists in a clinical setting. It is forbidden to do a siphon enema on your own. Inept actions of the owner often lead to damage to the intestinal walls.

What solution will be needed

The choice of syringe depends on the size of the dog.
The enema solution is selected by a specialist based on the situation. The basis is always clean boiled water. The remaining components are added after consultation.

How to prepare liquid

There are several options for liquid medicine. They differ in purpose and components present in the composition:

• To improve intestinal motility, mix a large spoonful of grated baby soap in one liter of water.
• An enema of chamomile solution will help to cope with enteritis and other inflammatory processes - 1 tablespoon of dried flowers per liter of water. The liquid must be infused and strained.
• For constipation I use the following solution - 30 grams of salt per liter of liquid. In order for everything to dissolve well, it is recommended to bring the medicine to a boil, then let it cool.
• At the end of the deworming process, use a cleaning solution of a liter of water, 30 grams of soda and 10 grams of salt. This remedy helps remove parasites and their larvae from the intestines.

Required quantity

How much liquid medicine to take depends on the age of the dog - puppies are given a very small amount, adult dogs are given more. An approximate calculation is as follows:

• puppies - 10 ml,
• small dogs - up to 100 ml,
• medium size (weight up to 15 kg) - 200 ml,
• dogs weighing up to 25 kg - 500 ml,
• dogs up to 50 kg - 1 liter.

Attention! It is recommended to consult with a specialist before the procedure and comply with all necessary conditions.

How to give a dog an enema: step-by-step instructions

An enema is not the most pleasant procedure, which, even if performed correctly, will cause discomfort to your pet, so it is better to do everything as quickly as possible. To do this, you need to prepare the necessary tools and preparations in advance, as well as enlist the support of someone close to you.

How to prepare an enema

The first stage of preparation for therapy is the selection of devices and tools. To wash the intestines, syringes, syringes and Esmarch mugs are used, which can be bought at the pharmacy, based on the size and weight of the pet.

1. Syringes are used to perform the procedure on puppies. In order not to injure the anal mucosa with the tip of the syringe, it is better to put a piece of rubber tube from a dropper on it.
2. For medium and small dogs, syringes are used - those that are recommended for washing the intestines of small children. The volume of such devices varies from 30 to 700 ml.
3. The Esmarch mug is used to carry out the procedure on large dogs - the simplest one looks like a heating pad with a rubber hose attached to it, expensive varieties have taps, clamps, regulators, etc.

The volume of the tank depends on the size of the animal

At the second stage, you need to prepare a solution and correctly calculate its volume - on average, the proportion is 1 liter per 20 kg of animal weight, for small dogs you should take 250 ml of liquid per 5 kg. The recipe for preparing the liquid that will be used to rinse the intestines depends on its components.

Table 1. Methods for preparing enema solutions.

The optimal temperature of the liquid for a cleansing enema is 35-37 degrees. It will strengthen intestinal motility and promote the excretion of feces. If the dog has not had a bowel movement for more than three days, it is better not to do warm enemas and bring the temperature to 25-27 degrees.

Important! To cleanse the intestines, you should use only boiled water, even if it is bottled or filtered.

How to prepare your pet

Giving your dog an enema is not always easy. The animal must be calmed and the necessary items prepared.

Products for the procedure

To carry out the procedure at home, you will need the following equipment:

• enema,
• boiled water,
• prepared solution,
• Vaseline or baby cream,
• latex gloves,
• newspapers,
• diapers that absorb moisture well,
• big basin,
• collar, leash and muzzle.

In addition, it is recommended to know exactly the phone number of the veterinary clinic so that if necessary, you can immediately contact the doctor.

Attention! For large dogs, it is better to carry out the procedure together with an assistant so that, if necessary, he can help hold the animal.

For puppies, the process is performed similarly to adults.

Which syringe to choose

Depending on the size of the dog, you can choose different devices that vary in volume:

• For a puppy, it is better to take a small syringe without a needle and inject the solution with it.
• For a miniature breed dog, a small syringe is suitable - approximately 100 ml in volume.
• For a larger animal, the syringe also needs to be taken in a larger volume (500 ml).
• Large dogs are given an enema using a liter Esmarch mug.

The right process

The process of administering an enema at home is simple; it is recommended to simply follow the instructions:

1. In the bathroom, spread newspapers on the floor and place absorbent diapers on top.
2. Place a basin nearby to collect the escaping contents.
3. It is necessary to draw the drug into the enema and, if necessary, release the air.
4. The tip must be lubricated with Vaseline or cream.
5. It is recommended to put on the animal's equipment, calm it down and try to lay it on its side.
6. Put on gloves and carefully insert the tip into the dog's anus. There is no need to do this deeply so as not to cause discomfort.
7. Gradually introduce the solution into the pet’s intestines, then remove the tip. It is necessary for the dog to lie down for about 10-15 minutes, during which time the medicine will take effect.
8. As time passes, you need to quickly move the pelvis towards the dog, place the hind legs in it and allow the animal to empty itself.
9. After all procedures are completed, they restore order and thank the pet for his patience.

Thus, the procedure itself will not take much time, the main thing is that the dog endures it.

Doing an enema for a dog correctly

And now we will talk about how to properly give an enema to a dog:

1. Cover the floor in the bathroom with newspapers, lay out an absorbent diaper (one or more, depending on the size of the animal);
2. Place a spacious basin to the side to collect feces;
3. Fill the enema with liquid (water, chamomile infusion, soda solution, etc.);
4. Release a little liquid from the enema so that air does not enter the dog’s intestines;
5. If an Esmarch mug is to be used, it should be hung at a height of 1 m;
6. Lubricate the tip of the enema (or syringe, if the procedure is performed on a puppy) generously with something greasy (vaseline, cream);
7. Put a muzzle on the dog (you can skip this point, but if the animal is large or aggressive, you should not neglect it);
8. If the owner acts alone, the pet must also be wearing a collar and leash (they can be used to restrain the dog if it starts to break free);
9. Place the dog on its side, gently stroke it and talk to it;
10. Wear gloves;
11. If you have an assistant, it’s time to ask him to secure the animal in the neck and forelimbs (there is no need to use brute force, you should just hold the animal, and if necessary, tighten the hug a little, but within reasonable limits);
12. Insert the tip of the enema into the anus of a medium-sized dog to a depth of about 2 cm, for a large dog - 4 cm, for a puppy - 1 cm;
13. Begin gradual and slow introduction of liquid from the enema into the animal’s intestines;
14. As soon as the enema is emptied, remove it from the anus with a gentle movement;
15. The animal should be kept in a lying position for about 10-15 minutes. If the dog's tail is not docked, it should be pressed against the anus, covering the anus;
16. After the above time has passed, the dog can be allowed to stand up (it’s time to remove the muzzle, collar and leash);
17. With a quick movement, you need to move the pelvis so that feces do not spill onto the floor (the dog’s hind limbs should be placed in the pelvis);
18. Take off gloves and clean the room. After bowel movements, your pet can be bathed;
19. In the end, you need to wholeheartedly praise the dog for his patience, because he experienced not the most pleasant moments.

Giving a dog an enema is not that difficult. But if for some reason the liquid from the instrument is not freely discharged into the animal’s intestines, as if it were resting against something solid, then it is better to stop the procedure immediately. Perhaps the small and large intestines are filled with worms or occupied by a foreign body, so that a decent amount of fluid can lead to a tragedy - intestinal rupture. If during the enema something did not go according to plan (liquid is not introduced into the intestines, the dog cannot poop even after the enema, there is blood in the stool that comes out, etc.), you need to immediately call a veterinarian.

Possible complications after an enema

If the procedure is carried out correctly, no problems arise. However, it is recommended to monitor the dog’s condition after the enema. If the following signs appear, you should immediately go to the hospital:

• increased heart rate,
• increased body temperature, fever,
• refusal to drink or, conversely, a great desire to drink,
• presence of blood from the anus,
• heavy breathing even at rest,
• dry mucous membranes, their bluish tint,
• convulsive states,
• loss of consciousness,
• vomit,
• pain in the abdominal area.

Attention! Such signs indicate various inflammatory processes that can be negative for the dog.

Prevention of digestive disorders

To avoid problems with the digestive system, you need to carefully monitor your pet's diet. If an animal is on industrial dry food, then clean water should always be freely available.

The drinking regime must be correct even with a natural diet. The animal needs walks and physical activity, which also helps improve intestinal motility.

Giving a dog an enema is not difficult. It is necessary to prepare all the items in advance and make the medicinal liquid correctly. The animal must be calmed and the procedure must be carried out quickly and carefully. It is worth remembering that the question of whether a dog can have an enema can only be decided together with a veterinarian.

First aid for a dog

If you suspect an intestinal obstruction, you cannot treat your dog yourself.

Antiemetic drugs are contraindicated, laxatives for constipation should not be given, or forced to eat and drink.

To alleviate the condition, you can give your pet an antispasmodic or analgesic drug.

Every opportunity should be found to deliver the animal to the veterinary clinic as quickly as possible. The death of a dog due to intestinal blockage can occur in 2-3 days, in some cases a little later.