Enema Therapy for Treating Digestive System Diseases in Dogs
In pet diagnosis and treatment, the most commonly encountered condition is digestive system disease in dogs. Applying a simple enema method according to the condition can achieve good results.
Scope of application of enema therapy
(1) When a dog shows symptoms of gastroenteritis such as vomiting and diarrhea, and feces that are bloody and foul-smelling, enema therapy can be used for treatment, removing loose feces, emptying the intestines, and administering drugs directly via the rectum.
(2) When a dog has fecal impaction such as dry stool and difficulty defecating, enema therapy can be used to soften the feces and lubricate the intestines.
(3) When a dog shows symptoms of intussusception such as severe vomiting, complete loss of appetite, and a sausage-shaped elastic hard mass that can be felt by pressing the abdominal wall, deep enema therapy can be used for treatment.
(4) When oral administration of drugs is difficult in dogs, rectal enema can be used for drug administration.
Specific operating method: Take one empty infusion bottle, fill it with warm (about 35°C) enema fluid, attach an infusion set, cut off the connector at the lower end of the infusion set, and insert the cut end of the plastic tube into a size 14 human urinary catheter. Open the infusion switch and check whether the connection leaks. If it leaks, push the plastic tube further inward to tighten it, then close the infusion switch.
Place the dog in prone restraint on the treatment table, and prop up the two rear legs of the treatment table so that the dog is in a position with the front low and the rear high. If the dog is relatively docile, it can be allowed to stand for the enema. Clip the soiled hair around the dog's anus, insert the rounded end of the urinary catheter into the anus, and release fluid while inserting to lubricate the intestines and make insertion easier. Insert the urinary catheter as far as possible, especially when performing retention enema, so that the medicinal fluid can reach deep into the intestinal tract. If blockage is found, move the urinary catheter back and forth, or let the dog expel the accumulated feces before continuing the enema.
The non-retention enema method functions to relieve constipation, expel gas, and clean the intestines. The amount of enema solution used is relatively large, generally 250-1000 mL per administration (depending on the dog's body size). The solution bottle is often raised to increase the infusion pressure, making the enema speed faster. After the enema is completed, let the dog defecate immediately.
The retention enema method functions to introduce therapeutic drugs, supplement nutrients, or soften hardened feces. The enema speed should not be too fast, and the solution volume should not be too large. After the enema is completed, the dog should still be kept in the position with the front low and the rear high, and the base of the dog's tail should be used to press and block the anus for a period of time. Before performing a retention enema for introducing drugs and supplementing nutrients, it is best to first wash the intestines with warm water to expel the accumulated feces.
Commonly used enema solutions: Enema fluids for non-retention enema
(1) Normal saline has mild irritation and can be used for cleansing the intestines and relieving constipation in intestinal diseases. (2) 0.1%-0.2% soapy water (add soap to boiling water until it turns milky white), used for bowel cleansing before surgery or to induce labor before childbirth, and can also expel gas. (3) Turpentine solution (add 4 mL of turpentine to 500 mL of soapy water and stir well), can expel accumulated gas in the intestines.
Enema fluids for retention enema
(1) Adding antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs to normal saline can treat acute and chronic enteritis.
(2) 30-60 mL of glycerin or vegetable oil, add warm water to 100-200 mL; use 5% magnesium sulfate 30 mL, glycerin 60 mL, add 90 mL of warm water to prepare a 1:2:3 enema fluid; dissolve 10 g of table salt in 100 mL of warm water to prepare 10% hypertonic saline. These can be used to soften feces, lubricate the intestines, and promote the discharge of accumulated feces.
(3) 5 mL of dexamethasone, 10 mL of antipyrine, 40 mL of Houttuynia cordata, add 100 mL of normal saline to prepare a mixed solution. This can be used to treat various high fevers in dogs and can rapidly reduce fever.
(4) Add 5 mL of analgin or 1 mL of 0.5% atropine to 200 mL of normal saline for deep enema. This can treat early-stage intussusception, relieve intestinal spasm, reduce pain, fill the intestinal tract, and help reduce the intussuscepted intestine.