Diatrizoate absorption from enemas in newborn puppies.

Serum iodine levels increased slightly 15 min. after Gastrografin enemas were given to 20 healthy neonatal puppies. The systemic dehydration which occurs in the neonate following an hypertonic enema primarily reflects an osmotic drawing of water into the bowel, although systemic absorption of diatrizoate through the intact gut wall enhances the alteration in serum osmolarity.