Cat enema: description of the method, step by step instructions, advice from veterinarians

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Giving an enema is not a pleasant procedure, especially if your beloved cat has to do it. But there are situations when such manipulations are indispensable. Some prefer to entrust this matter to veterinarians. However, it may happen that you still personally have to give an enema. So let's figure out how to make an enema for a cat at home.

Cat enema

The method of enema for both people and animals is that a certain liquid is introduced into the rectum and large intestine to help defecate. The basis of any enema is warm water. To do this, it is recommended to use warm boiled water. Raw tap water can lead to infection.

Wrong is the opinion that liters of water are needed to cleanse the intestines. In fact, the dosage has a purely individual calculation.

The most important thing that an enema should do is to excite the nerve centers responsible for intestinal motility,which will help free him from fecal congestion.

Cleansing enema

This type of enema is great for normal constipation, especially if it's intermittent. A cleansing enema for a cat with constipation at home helps to cleanse the intestines from stagnant fecal matter.

These procedures are also suitable for use in the preparatory phase of surgery or to prevent intoxication of the body in case of poisoning.

Medicinal enema

Another type of enemas is classified as curative. They are used for a more thorough cleansing of the intestines and better penetration of drugs into the body.

Only a veterinarian can prescribe such enemas, depending on the condition of the animal. For example, a weak water-s alt solution is used to combat low blood pressure, and a soap or glycerin aqueous solution is used to increase intestinal motility.

Enemas with vaseline oil are used to lubricate the intestinal walls and facilitate the release of feces. Chamomile solution is great for inflammation and painful spasms, while baking soda solution can reduce acidity and relieve pain.

Causes of impaired defecation

Very often the causes of constipation in pets are various diseases. These include diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys or liver, as well as problems of a neurological and psychological nature.

It is necessary to fight constipationurgently, as this could have very dire consequences. The cat at this time may experience heaviness and pain, and may reach intoxication of the whole organism, because with constipation, toxins are not excreted, but accumulate in the body of the animal.

If we look at the statistics, then among furry pets, cats are more prone to constipation than cats. In addition, adults are more likely to suffer from problems with bowel movements than young ones.

However, it is worth noting that the most common are irregular problems with bowel movements. If your pet does not have serious diseases, but there is constipation, then the reason may be hidden in the following:

• violation of the diet;
• foreign object;
• Accumulations of hair in the gastrointestinal tract.

Your cat may need an enema if you start noticing the following symptoms:

• sluggishness;
• lack of appetite or thirst;
• bloated and tight belly;
• no going to the toilet;
• unsuccessful attempts to defecate.

You should pay attention to the fact that cats and cats go to the toilet for the most part twice a day. If your pet does not visit the toilet at least once a day, it is worth considering.

What to consider when giving an enema?

So, we have decided in what situations an enema is necessary for a cat. There are points that you need to pay attention to when carrying out this procedure, namely:

1. Using an enema is a last resort. When noneanother way to ease bowel movements, such as drinking plenty of water or taking laxatives, did not work.
2. Before the procedure, you need to consult with a specialist. He will not only confirm the need for an enema, but also tell you how best to do it.
3. Don't have the procedure if you are not confident in your abilities. Imagine that your cat is like your child. The same helpless in this matter. Therefore, if it seems to you that you are not sufficiently informed or not ready to do this, it is better to entrust such a task to someone else, more experienced. This way you will not cause unnecessary discomfort to your pet and will not lose his trust.

Preparing for the procedure

If you still decide to give an enema to a cat with constipation at home, then you need to carefully prepare for this. First of all, you will need a rubber bulb, lubricant and s alted water.

If everything is clear with a rubber bulb and s alted water, then what is a lubricant? In fact, everything is simple. This is the remedy that will help you reduce friction and prevent injury to the mucosa. For this, a fat cream, vegetable or vaseline oil is suitable. We will lubricate the tip of the rubber bulb with lubricant.

Now prepare the enema solution. S alted water is needed so that it is not absorbed by the walls of the large intestine. We need to take one teaspoon of s alt (table or sea) per 300 ml of boiled water.

Also suitable as enema solutionsmanganese, decoctions of medicinal herbs or other special solutions sold in veterinary pharmacies. However, their use must be supervised by a veterinarian, without whose prescription it is prohibited to use them.

We will also need rubber gloves, napkins, rags and a container in which the cat will be until the end of bowel movement.

As for the choice of pear, a small rubber pear with a volume of up to 100 ml is preferable. By the way, the syringe nose should be inserted about 2 cm, and the temperature of the solution should be 26-30 degrees.

It is recommended to use the bathroom as a place for medical procedures. But not all cats favor this place in the house. In this case, we can deliver even more suffering to our pet. Then you need to choose a place where it will be at least just to put things in order after the procedures. You can, for example, remove the carpet in the room or do it in the hallway.

Steps of the procedure

After you have familiarized yourself with all aspects of this procedure, we will consider the stages of its implementation. Initially, it should be noted that it is better to do an enema for a cat with constipation in the early morning, on an empty stomach.

The first step is to choose the best option for holding the cat during the enema. Veterinarians advise that the animal is standing at this moment, and not lying down.

It is advisable that you do not carry out the procedure alone. You can call for help from someone your cat trusts. If there is no one to help, put the cat on the hand that you do notyou will do an enema.

You need to hold the animal firmly, but do not cause him unnecessary pain.

After you have decided how you will hold the pet, the second stage comes - the actual enema. We collect approximately 50-100 ml of the solution in a pear. It is very important to release unwanted air from the enema before administering it.

Further, the tip, which was previously abundantly lubricated with lubricant, is inserted into the cat's anus with twisting movements. The enema should be parallel to the spine. Do not forget that we enter only 2 cm.

After the tip of the syringe is inserted, gradually inject the solution. If you suddenly calculated the volume of the enema incorrectly, then the excess liquid will simply flow out.

At the final stage, press the cat's tail to the anus and hold for 15 minutes. During this time, the feces soften and then should come out safely. After 15 minutes, we place the cat in a previously prepared container, where he can empty himself.

It is recommended to repeat the procedure after a few hours to make sure that the animal's intestines are completely cleared.

Contraindications for enema

How to give an enema to a cat, we figured it out. However, this seemingly most common method of getting rid of constipation has its limitations. With this question, of course, only a veterinarian will help you figure it out. He will examine the condition of your pet and determine whether the cat can be given an enema or not.

In general, the enema method should not be used when:

• inflammation,that affect the rectal area;
• swelling or bleeding in the anus;
• volvulus;
• hemorrhoids;
• chronic diseases of internal organs;
• mechanical damage to the intestines;
• severe worm infestation;
• disorders in the work of the heart.

Prohibited drugs for animals

As you may have noticed, there are now countless drugs and remedies to relieve constipation. However, not all of them can be given to pets.

For example, aloe vera rectal suppositories are very good for humans, but they cause severe allergic reactions in animals.

Contraindicated in animals and castor oil. Despite the fact that it has recently been popular, there have been numerous cases of poisoning and diarrhea among animals.

For humans, magnesium sulfate ("Epsoms alt") has a slight laxative effect, but for animals, its use is fraught with severe and sudden intestinal disorders.

Hibiscus tea is the most controversial remedy. Although people give it to their pets for constipation, it does not bode well for them. It can cause severe intoxication and diarrhea.

It should also be remembered that one-time constipation remedies are not suitable for long-term use. In such situations, an enema to a cat is the least harmful option for eliminating stagnation of fecal matter.

What can replace an enema?

When the cat's enema isat home or in a veterinary clinic is contraindicated, there are the following drugs with which it can be replaced. Among them:

1. Candles with glycerin. Thanks to the active substance, the feces in the intestines of the animal are lubricated, which contributes to their easier exit. Glycerin also attracts water into the large intestine, thereby helping to soften the feces.
2. DocuSol. This drug is intended for children. In addition to glycerin, the composition of the drug includes sodium docusate and polyethylene glycol. The tool is a dosing syringe, which contains 5 ml of solution. It must be slightly warmed up in the hands and inserted into the anus of the cat.
3. FLEET. These are also candles based on glycerin. Its content in candles is quite high, so half a suppository will be enough for a cat.
4. MICROLAX. Sold in the form of microclysters of 5 ml, containing a mixture of various substances. All of them are used to treat animals, so this remedy is allowed to be used for cats. The cat should be given an enema "Microlax" gradually, as strong pressure can damage the mucous membrane.

What do the pros advise?

Here are some recommendations that veterinarians give about enemas for a cat.

1. Experts consider early morning to be the best time for the procedure.
2. During the procedure, talk to your cat, stroke it, try to calm it down. Your tone should be calm and measured.
3. VetsIt is recommended to combine with an enema a massage of the abdomen under the pelvis. In this way, you help the passage of feces.
4. It is also necessary to observe what kind of feces come out after an enema. If you notice blood impurities or other signs of abnormality, you need to urgently seek help.