Is Imodium safe for dogs?
Canine diarrhea is a common problem faced by many dogs which might be mainly due to diet change or some bacterial infection. If you are a caring dog owner, you will immediately consult the veterinarian and try to stop the diarrhea before the conditions worsen. But many dog owners hesitate to do so and take treatment in their own hands and give their dog drugs which treats diarrhea in humans. Well, this is wrong, because people’s drug might cause toxic poisoning in your dog and you might even lose him.
The common drug that dog owners often use to treat their dog’s diarrhea is Imodium. Imodium is an anti-diarrheal drug for treating diarrhea in humans, but can you give your dog Imodium? If you want to know the answer, read on….
The answer is yes, but only under the supervision of a veterinarian
Imodium is an over-the-counter medicine that provides fast and effective relief from diarrhea, but is yet to be approved by the FDA.
How does Imodium work?
The dog suffers from loose bowel movements frequently because the intestines do not get time to absorb the fluids from the waste when it is pushed out of the digestive tract very quickly. Imodium works by preventing the quick passing of waste through the digestive tract so that the intestines have time to absorb the fluids and solidify the stool and stop diarrhea. It restores the normal function of the intestine and resolves the symptoms of diarrhea quickly.
What are the side effects of Imodium for dogs?
A dog treated with Imodium can experience side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, flatulence, constipation, stomach discomfort, and bloating, vomiting and abdominal pain.
How much Imodium can you give a dog?
Imodium is available in liquid formulation which can be poured into your dog’s food and as chewable tablet which can be chewed by your dog. The dosage for tablets is one 2mg chewable tablet for every 25-50 pounds of body weight of the dog, to be given 2-3 times a day. And the dosage for liquid Imodium is 0.5ml per 1 pound of body weight. (TO BE GIVEN ONLY UNDER A VET’S SUPERVISION)
Imodium should not be given for more than two days. If your dog’s diarrhea has not been resolved in 24 hours, stop giving Imodium and take him to the vet.
The most important factor to keep in mind when you give your dog Imodium is that the medicine should be given under the guidance and supervision of a veterinarian. Administering only the prescribed dosage is very critical because wrong dosage can lead to very serious problem and can also be fatal. Also note that Imodium should be avoided for pregnant and nursing dogs and puppies who under six weeks of age. Also remember that frequent loose bowel movements can cause water and electrolytes to be lost from the body leading to dehydration in your dog, so make sure that your dog has his supply of water during this period. So to conclude, Imodium is safe for treating your dog’s diarrhea, but should be administered only under the supervision of a vet.
Leave a Reply