Wag The Tail #17-Does My Dog Really Need An Enema?

There are many reasons why a dog may need an enema and they are the carbon copy of the reasons why an adult may need one and they are the following:

1. Medical-You veternarian may have medication administered via the dog's anus and it can only be done with an enema
2. The dog may have eaten something that is lodged in his anus, rectum or colon thereby blocking a bowel movement
3. To rehydrate a dog after he has vomited or had dirhee to restore balance to the electrolytes

As a dog owner you may ask where do I come in on this? What's my role and do I really have to do this thing? Some recommend that you learn the procedure so that you will be on the ready if your dog needs one, others contend that it is too dangerous to give a dog an enema.I will just present the facts and let you make the decision. And as always contact your veternarian about this procedure.

The followiing is the recommended protocol for a canine enema:

1. The actual device should be a syringe that can hold up to two or three tablespoons of liquid for small or toy dogs, and a regular enema bag andnozzle for medium and large dogs that can hold a pint of liquid
2. The amount of liquid in the device should be two or three tablesponns for small and toy dogs and a pint in the enema bag for medium and large dogs. The water should be warm and not hot.
3. Add a few drops of lemon juice, a few grains of sea salt and a dash of potassium chloride. This was balance any loss electrolytes.
4. Mix this concoction and test it to make sure it is warm and not hot.
5. Do the procedure outdoors as things will get messy
6. Have someone hold the dog with its bottom facing you
7. Grab the dog's tail, put the enema nozzle in the anus gently. Squeeze the syringe or wait on the enema bag to deliver all the liquid.

If your dog is constipated a bowel movement will commence shorty. if he was dehydrated the water will absorb in the colon; a good thing; repeat every 4 hours until canine is hydrated.Consult your veternarian before and after the procedure.

Personally I have not given any of my three dogs an enema. One of my dogs is a chewer and oftentimes I have had to fish things hanging out of his rectum like rubber gloves, freezer bags and anything else he's gotten a hold of; even though it's not a pleasant sight a dog owner will prevail when he has to.

I know the times when I took them to the veterinarian and they needed their temperature taken and a thermometer was placed in their anus it was rough going and they growled-didn't like it at all. And if anyone should try this technique after they have discussed it with a vet they should have some inklings how their dog will react. Will it grunt, growl or bite? The most common danger from this procedure is a torn rectum , anus or colon and an imbalance of the electrolytes