Hypertonic phosphate enema intoxicationin dogs and cats

摘要

Whether exposed due to an outdated therapeutic recommendation or a client attempting at-home treatment, your veterinary patients receiving theseenemas need immediate attention.Hypertonic phosphate enemas (Fleet Enema—Fleet, and generic) contain sodium phosphate and other phosphates, typically at a concentration of 25 to 60 mg/ml, per the package label. They are used for bowel cleansing before a colonoscopy and to alleviate occasional constipation in people. Historically, these were used in veterinary medicine to treat the signs ofmegacolon in cats and chronic constipation in dogs and cats. But they are not typically recommended any more because of the risk of side effects and the availability of safer and effective alternatives, such as dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate enemas and softgels.