Why would my pet need rectal medication?
Rectal drug administration is not common in veterinary medicine, but it is required in certain situations. Your veterinarian may prescribe rectal medication if your pet cannot swallow oral medications or if a required medication cannot be effectively absorbed orally. The rectal tissues contain large numbers of blood vessels very close to their surface, which means that medications delivered to this area are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream.
Rectal medication is most used to treat seizures. While most pets with seizures are prescribed oral medication to prevent or reduce seizures, your veterinarian may also send you home with an emergency drug to give in the case of a prolonged seizure that does not stop. Reaching into your pet’s mouth during an active seizure is risky for you and your pet, so these emergency drugs are often given rectally. Giving the medication this way minimizes risk to you and your dog while allowing the medication to quickly enter your pet’s bloodstream and reach the brain.
How do I administer liquid medication rectally?
The first step in giving medication rectally is to ensure you have the correct dose for your pet. If your veterinarian sent you home with individual doses of medication that are already drawn up into syringes, ensure that you have the correct number of syringes for your pet (according to the prescription label recommendations). If your veterinarian sent you home with a bottle of liquid medication, carefully draw up the appropriate amount of medication as directed by your veterinarian.
Next, remove the needle from the tip of the syringe (if one is present). If your veterinarian sent you home with a teat cannula or other short piece of rubber tubing, you should attach this cannula or tubing to the end of the syringe in place of the needle. The use of a teat cannula or tubing is not strictly necessary, though; don’t worry if you don’t have one.
Use sterile lubricant or petroleum jelly to lubricate the syringe. Then insert the syringe into your pet’s rectum (with the tubing or cannula attached, if provided). Advance the syringe approximately one to two inches into the rectum, but stop sooner if you feel you are meeting resistance.
Once the syringe tip is in place within your pet’s rectum, fully depress the syringe plunger. Empty the full contents of the syringe into your pet’s rectum, then remove the syringe carefully. If you use a teat cannula or other syringe attachment, it should come out with the syringe when pulled.
How do I administer a solid rectal suppository?
A suppository is a solid or semi-solid form of drug that is inserted into the rectum and left to dissolve. Rectal suppositories are sometimes used to deliver medication to pets that are vomiting, constipated, or have trouble swallowing.
To insert a rectal suppository, first cover the suppository with a small amount of sterile lubricant or petroleum jelly. Next, use your gloved finger to insert the suppository into your pet’s rectum. Aim to insert the suppository approximately one to two inches past the anal sphincter but stop if you feel any resistance or if your pet appears to be in pain. If your pet strains and pushes out the suppository, repeat the process and place the suppository a bit higher.
Will I hurt my pet by administering rectal medication?
If your veterinarian has sent home rectal medication for your pet, they feel that the benefits of the medication outweigh any short-lived discomfort that the procedure may cause for your pet. Rectal suppositories and syringes used to deliver medication are both narrower in diameter than your pet’s bowel movements, so they should not be especially uncomfortable for your pet.
It is unlikely you will damage your pet’s rectum by administering medication, provided that you remove any needles before inserting the syringe and avoid excessive force as you insert the syringe or suppository. However, if you meet resistance, see blood after medicating your pet, or have any other concerns, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian.
