Sometimes you may need to do more than just give your sick dog solid or liquid medication. Depending on your condition and symptoms, you may also need to provide other types of nursing care, such as giving enemas. Here is an efficient way to use this procedure:

The use of enemas may be beneficial for dogs that have the following conditions; constipation, during fasting, dehydration, excessive vomiting, intestinal irritation caused by bone fragments or the presence of spoiled food or garbage in the digestive tract.

Before administering this procedure, be sure to use only warm but not hot pure water (test it on your wrist to be sure). Use about two tablespoons for a small dog and up to a pint for a large dog. Add a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the water and administer the mixture with a plastic or rubber syringe over about 2 to 3 minutes. For large dogs, you can use an enema bag and nozzle.

Here’s how to do it: You need to lubricate the end of the syringe with vegetable oil. Have someone help you gently hold the dog while he is standing in a bathtub or on the floor. Insert the nozzle carefully into the rectum. Using gentle, steady pressure against the anus (to prevent fluid from escaping), slowly fill the colon. If the solution does not flow easily, pull back on the nozzle or syringe and slightly adjust the angle. Expect a bowel movement to start in a few minutes. You can give the enema once or twice a day for a couple of days.

In many cases, dogs that are dehydrated simply retain fluid. This occurs when the colon absorbs fluid that the body needs. Therefore, enemas are an excellent way to administer fluid therapy. Under these circumstances, give the enema approximately every four hours or until fluid is no longer retained.

If a dog is having difficulty keeping water in its stomach due to severe vomiting, an enema can help introduce the fluid and salts needed to replace those lost through vomiting. Using the solution as described above, add a pinch of sea salt plus a pinch of potassium chloride. The same solution can also be used to help a dog suffering from prolonged diarrhea. In this case, give the enema every four hours or until fluid is no longer retained.