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Enema & Side Effects

Hi my dog got an enema mid-day this past Thurs. Ever since then, he keeps "leaking" poop. There's no blood, just soft poop. He's not trying to poop, he could just be sitting around, and next thing you know he jumps up and we check, and he has poop on his butt. It's now a little over 48 hours since the enema.

Is this a normal side effect? Should I take him to the vet?

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675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
My questions are -who gave your dog the enema? It is unusual for a dog to have to be given an enema, so I presume it was a vet who gave it to him...?
What was/is wrong with him in the first place that he should need an enema?

If (and I hope this is the case) -a vet gave it to him, then if you have any questions or worries, you should get back to that same vet. That is quite normal to contact the vet who treated your dog if you have any concerns after a treatment.

If there is any more long term reason for this leaking, then for hygienic reasons you may want to use doggy diapers with a pad inside. The pad can be changed as often as necessary. For cleaning his backside, baby wipes are fine.

But you would be wise to speak to the vet who gave him this treatment first. It might just be a temporary side effect which will clear up in a day or so.
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1 Comments
I cannot believe yet again I have commented on a thead from 2007! There is no way to tell any more how old a thread is!
Avatar universal
My dog had similar issues from eating beef bones.  She got her enima on Wednesday night and Thursday she pooed  out some pretty nasty looking stuff.  Saturday her stool was runny but she has not went in 2 days we are concerned the issue may be back.  So far she is eating OK and not throwing up we are hoping the enema cleaned her out and thats is why it has been two days since she has gone  
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much for your updates about your dog. This is great info for me. I am a big worrier so I know what to expect and what normal and what's not
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82861 tn?1333453911
Great news!  I'm so glad he's back on track again.  

Metamucil (and other fiber preparations) work on dogs just like they do on people.  When added slowly (and I mean really slowly!) to the diet, it can help correct either diarrhea or constipation.  

Thanks for being such a conscientious pet owner.  :-)  
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Avatar universal
He got all better yesterday!!

I was so worried (wee bit over protective here), I called his vet and she said to come in, they did blood work (had to do it this week anyway) and all was clear. She said that he was probably irrated from the enema (colitis) and had inflammation. She said to give him metamucil, and  I was skeptical because it's a laxative and she said it sounded weird, but that the fiber would help build his stool to a consitency.

So, I gave him a teaspoon yesterday with his food around 4PM and at 9:30 we went for a walk and he went. Granted the first part was kinda loose and a lot, then he produced a formed stool (sorry...gross  I know). After that he stopped leaking. He's still on chicken and rice today with the fiber (half a teaspoon) because i think he still might be sensitive and tomorrow  I will transition him to Hill's r/d as that is what the recommended.

So that's it...metamucil was the trick for him.
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Avatar universal
tmv
Poor fellow, went from one extreme to the other. Have to watch, though you said the x-ray was ok, that when they leak often they are constipated and it is the fluid around the stool coming out. Hope he does better real soon.
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Avatar universal
Hi,

Well the ER doctor said it was normal. We did x-rays and said that he had gas and fluid in his colon, his stomach looked empty. Basically she said, it was normal due to the enema. That it probably irrated his colon and it was reacting. She said if it doesn't pass in 1-2 more days to go back to the vet. She said to feed him boiled chicken and rice, that the rice (thanks Jaybay, for that tip) would help him stock up and build up normal bile. So, he ate today, and his stoll (still leaking though) is getting a wee bit firmer.

So, that's it for now.
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82861 tn?1333453911
Hope it all works out all right, and hope you post back with what the ER vets have to say.  Since elimination problems can be pretty common complaints, whatever you find out would probably help a lot of readers here.  :-)
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Avatar universal
He hasn't gotten better nor do I think he is worse, but I'm concerned so I'm taking him to the ER at his vet today.
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82861 tn?1333453911
Oh good!  That's great you have a vet who takes calls on weekends.  Glad to hear everything seems to be OK.  :-)
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Avatar universal
Yes, the vet just called back, and she said it was normal, that since he was backed up he probably had extra fluid he was getting rid of. And yes, the enema was given by the vet.

Thanks for the advice on the rice, I'm going to try that.
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82861 tn?1333453911
I assume the enema was either done by a vet or on the advice of one?  If so, put in a call to the vet and ask your question.  In the meantime, try feeding him some plain white rice.  That's usually a good food for tightening things up in the intestines.
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