When your dog has stomach problems like diarrhea or vomiting it can be worrisome but knowing what over-the-counter diarrhea medications you can give your dog will help tremendously. Many times when our dog has diarrhea we want to ‘fix’ the situation immediately with over-the-counter diarrhea medications, but in some cases, it’s best to allow the body to do what it does best. Most of the time diarrhea or even vomiting is used as the body’s way of flushing out toxins and you will not want to use the medications listed in this article. This is especially true if you know that your dog may have eaten
something that didn’t agree with him like old food from the garbage or poison. In this instance give your vet or poison control a call and discuss the next best steps with them. To read about common reasons for diarrhea in dogs, click here. Although the remedies discussed below are for the most part safe, you will want to discuss giving them to your pet prior to doing so with
your regular veterinarian. This is especially true if symptoms persist after a couple of doses or you are using a food or medication mentioned below for the first time. Let’s look at some of the common over-the-counter diarrhea and vomiting remedies for dogs and the dosages for how much anti-diarrhea medication you should give your dog. What does it work for? Diarrhea Pepto-Bismol is a fairly safe over-the-counter medication to use in dogs with diarrhea, in fact, there is a
veterinary suspension of bismuth subsalicylate that your vet would probably prefer to use. It works by protecting your stomach and the lower part of your esophagus from stomach acid through a thick coating, it also kills some bacteria that cause diarrhea and is a mild antacid. In this article by the AKC, they discuss giving Pepto Bismol to dogs as well. If you do
decide to use this in your dogs, make sure to give no more than one or two doses before taking your dog to the veterinarian. Dogs with bleeding disorders or dogs that are pregnant or nursing should not take this medication. Dosage for dogsHow much Pepto Bismol should I give my dog? A general rule of thumb is 1 teaspoon for every 10 pounds but always check with your veterinarian for an appropriate dose. It can be offered to the dog every 6-to-8 hours. Ideally, you don’t want to give more than a few doses at home. If your dog still has diarrhea after a few doses it may be time to visit your veterinarian. Medication interactions
Side effects
Is Pepto-Bismol okay for my cat? No, it is toxic to cats2. Imodium (loperamide)What does it work for? Diarrhea Imodium is another over-the-counter medication that is fairly safe for dogs with a mild case of diarrhea. If the diarrhea is severe give no more than one dose before visiting your veterinarian as it can make the situation worse in the long run sometimes. It works by slowing down the movement of fluid through the gut Dosage for dogsHow much Imodium should I give my dog? 2-milligram pill per 40 pounds of body weight is the general dosage for dogs. You can wrap the tablet in a treat pocket or a small amount of food. Ensure that you are only giving just enough to cover the pill as you don’t want to make the situation worse. Who should not take it?Certain breeds should never be given Imodium because it can result in extremely harmful side effects. These are Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, Australian Shepherds, and other herding breeds can carry a gene that prevents them from breaking it down Also dogs with certain predisposing conditions and those taking certain medications, Side EffectsIt should be noted that even with a proper dose, some dogs may still experience side effects
Is Immodium okay for my cat? No, cats may have a reaction to this medication 3. Pepcid (famotidine)What does it work for? Vomiting, specifically from gastric ulcers Pepcid works by decreasing the amount of acid that the stomach makes. So it is extremely helpful in dealing with issues like stomach acid build-up, gastric ulcers, or other GI-related issues. This drug is not FDA-approved for use in pets, however, so contact your veterinarian before administering. Dosage for dogsHow much Pepcid should I give my dog? For both dogs and cats, the dosage is one 10-milligram tablet for a 20-pound dog every 12-to-24 hours but always check with your vet for the proper dose since it goes by weight. It is best to give this medication one hour before meals to assist with stomach acid production. When purchasing Pepcid, make sure to buy Pepcid Original Strength to avoid additional ingredients that may not sit well with your pup. Who should not take this
Side Effects
4. Dramamine (Dimenhuydrinate)What does it work for? vomiting (specifically for motion sickness)Dramamine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of the natural chemical histamine in the body (meaning It is almost like a milder form of Benadryl). This medication works by inhibiting stimulation of the vestibular system of the brain which is responsible for detecting motion. Dramamine is not approved for use in animals by the FDA but can be prescribed legally by your veterinarian. Dosage for DogsHow much Dramamine should I give my dog?
Side Effects
5. PedialyteWhat does it work for? Electrolyte replacement While this isn’t a drug that prevents vomiting or diarrhea, Pedialyte comes in handy when you are concerned about our pup’s hydration after a severe episode of stomach upset. Pets lose a lot of liquids with diarrhea and vomiting, Pedialyte works by replacing liquid and electrolytes that may have been lost during episodes of excessive fluid loss from your dog’s body. It is a fairly safe over-the-counter option to give your dog with diarrhea or even vomiting if they are able to keep anything down. The great thing about adding clear, unflavored Pedialyte to your dog’s water is that there are very few side effects or chances of overdosage, although it is possible so always speak with your vet prior to administering. Side EffectsSide effects are seen as electrolyte imbalances Dosage for DogsHow much Pedialyte should I give my dog? The general rule of thumb is
What does it work for? Diarrhea Psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid or Metamucil can help with diarrhea. Supplementing your pup’s diet with fiber will help improve diarrhea as dietary fiber reduces free fecal water and helps prolong transit time. How much Metamucil should I give my dog: 7. Slippery ElmWhat does it work for? Diarrhea Slippery elm bark is a long-time home remedy for diarrhea in dogs. It is known to fight inflammation and form a protective coating on the stomach lining, which is said to help with faster recovery from episodes of diarrhea. If you do decide to give your dog slippery elm the best thing to do is to get one formulated for dogs and has a specific dosage for your dog’s weight like this one. The Bottom LineThere are several over-the-counter diarrhea medications that we have in our drug cabinets that will help our dogs in times of need. Just make sure you speak with your trusted veterinarian prior to administering them to your dog to prevent over or underuse in your pet. References
Share this post with a friend who has a dog! 10 FOODS THAT WILL HELP SOOTHE YOUR PETS STOMACH IF THEY HAVE DIARRHEA Any information shared on this blog is for information purposes only, please speak with your vet prior to administering any medication Can I give my dog PeptoPepto-Bismol Dosage For Dogs: The recommended dosage is 1 teaspoon for every 10 pounds, according to Dr. Klein. It can be offered to the dog every 6-to-8 hours, but if your dog still has diarrhea after a few doses, stop the medication and call your veterinarian.
Can you give dogs human stomach medicine?Pepcid-AC (famotidine), Tagamet (cimetidine) and Zantac (ranitidine) are common OTC medications to treat or prevent heartburn and stomach ulcer-related symptoms. They're generally effective and safe for dogs (and cats).
What medicine can you give a dog for throwing up?Minor cases of vomiting may also be treated with drugs to control nausea such as maropitant citrate (brand name Cerenia®), drugs that promote normal movement of the intestinal tract such as metoclopramide (brand name Reglan®) or drugs that relieve inflammation in the intestinal tract such as metronidazole (brand name ...
What happens if you give a dog PeptoPepto Bismol can cause dogs' stools to turn a greenish-black color and, “as a result, it can be difficult to discern if your dog is experiencing melena (blood in the stool), which presents as black, tarry stools and can be indicative of a serious medical issue,” Wallach says.
|