Use of fluids per rectum

Use of the rectal route for fluid administration is poorly described in the horse, and not a commonly used technique in practice. At the time of writing there do not appear to be any peer-reviewed publications on rectal fluid administration in horses, however, there are published entries in journals and texts describing anecdotal use in clinical situations. The administration of fluids per rectum (proctoclysis) however, is relatively well described in humans and other animal species. Proctoclysis was used for the treatment of soldiers with haemorrhagic shock during the First World War and is still considered a useful technique for fluid resuscitation in emergency situations where venous access is not possible due to a lack of equipment and/or expertise, or where venous access is hampered by peripheral vascoconstriction due to the severity of shock. Similarly, fluids are administered per rectum in small animal practice particularly as a first aid measure. In animals where venous access is difficult, and particularly where fluid volumes required for initial and ongoing treatment may be large (e.g. elephants) the administration of fluids via the rectum is a simple and effective alternative to other routes, with administration ...