What is a Gastric Lavage in Dogs? - Page 1   Over 10,000 Vet
Approved Articles Search All Articles  What is a Gastric Lavage
in Dogs?  By: Dr. Debra Primovic  Read By: Pet Lovers Email To A
Friend Print Gastric lavage is a term that refers to a procedure
for "pumping the stomach".  It consists of a procedure where a
tube is placed into the mouth, through the esophagus and into
the stomach and the contents are pumped out. Generally water is
pumped in and the stomach is "rinsed out" (lavaged).  This test
procedure can be used to decompress a stomach distended due to
gluttony bloat (over eating) or bloat (from the stomach
twisting). It is commonly used to remove the contents of the
stomach after a toxin ingestion. Eliminating the toxin from the
stomach prevents is absorption and toxic effects.  How Is a
Gastric Lavage Done?  After being placed under general
anesthesia, an endotracheal (breathing) tube is placed in the
trachea. The gastric lavage is generally done by gently passing
a flexible plastic tube into th