Bismuth subsalicylate, commonly found in medicine cabinets, is harmless for dogs (but not for cats). It is used to treat stomach distress, vomiting, and diarrhea. But first, a word of caution: you should only give your dog a few doses of Pepto-Bismol because it contains salicylate, which can upset the stomach and result in gastric hemorrhage. Following those few dosages, you should speak with your veterinarian if your dog’s condition has not improved. Find out more about Pepto Bismol for canines.
Imodium
Most dogs and cats can safely take Imodium (loperamide) to treat diarrhea. After 24 hours, if the diarrhea doesn’t get better, call your veterinarian right away since diarrhea can quickly produce dangerously high levels of dehydration.
WARNING: Imodium may have negative side effects in several breeds that are related to collies. Collies, Shelties, Australian Shepherds, and long-haired Whippets should not be given this medication.
Pepcid-AC, Tagamet and Zantac
The OTC drugs Famotidine (Peptid-AC), Cimetidine (Tagamet), and Ranitidine (Zantac) are frequently used to treat or prevent heartburn and symptoms connected to stomach ulcers. They often work well and are secure for pets (and cats). Once or twice a day is sufficient to administer the recommended dosage.
It’s acceptable to use them for irregular dietary transgressions, such as when your dog eats all of your salsa or gets into a bag of chips. If your dog’s gastrointestinal issues persist, consult a veterinarian to rule out other issues.
Dosage:
- Each of these over-the-counter medications has a different tablet dosage, so go to your doctor to find out how much to give your dog.
What remedies do veterinarians prescribe for dogs with stomach upset?
The diagnosis made by your dog’s veterinarian will determine the course of treatment.
Parvovirus. If they have parvovirus, they will need to be hospitalized and kept away from other dogs. Your dog can receive intravenous fluids from the vet to rehydrate them and keep their immune system strong enough to combat the infection. Antibiotics may be prescribed by veterinarians to treat any bacterial infections that develop as a result of the illness.
Inflammation. Veterinarians typically advise short-term fasting and a lot of fluid consumption to keep your dog hydrated for diseases that cause irritated stomach tissue and frequent vomiting.
other circumstances Immediate surgical techniques, such as open surgery or less invasive methods to remove obstructions, are necessary for bloating, cancer, and obstructions.
Rarely, if an ulcer has perforated a portion of the digestive tract, it may be necessary to remove it surgically.
Common practice. To treat a dog’s upset stomach, veterinarians frequently advise a bland diet. Remove the irritating ingredients from food with rice and chicken or a more specialized diet to assist your dog’s digestive system in regaining its equilibrium.
While they work to identify the source of your dog’s stomach issues, veterinarians will treat the symptoms of your dog with medicine. Probiotics are frequently used to treat stomach issues in dogs.
Call your veterinarian if your dog seems to be experiencing stomach issues for advice. Even though they may merely be experiencing stomach pain, it may require prompt veterinary care.
Which antacids are suitable for dogs?
Famotidine, also marketed under the name Pepcid, is a medication that can be administered to dogs to treat a number of digestive issues. It functions by lowering dog stomach acid production, which can help treat gastritis, acid reflux, and stomach ulcers.
Veterinarians can safely prescribe medication even though it is not FDA-approved for veterinary usage. When administering any type of medication to your dog, you must always go by the recommendations of your veterinarian.
With a prescription from your veterinarian, you can easily get famotidine from Chewy’s pharmacy online. The usage, dosage, and negative effects of famotidine for dogs are listed here.
Can I give Pepto-Bismol pills to my dog?
Although Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) is safe to give to the majority of dogs, AKC Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Jerry Klein says he rarely advises it because the medication’s salicylates may cause gastrointestinal bleeding and the bismuth may conceal any ensuing bleeding by turning the stool black. If it must be administered, he advises speaking with your veterinarian first and giving no more than one or two doses. Instead, your vet may advise using the Corrective Suspension bismuth subsalicylate medication designed for dogs. Any form of bismuth subsalicylate should not be administered to dogs with bleeding disorders, those who are pregnant or nursing, or those who are receiving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Rimadyl and Deramaxx. Bismuth subsalicylate is hazardous to cats and should never be given to them.
- Dr. Klein advises giving dogs 1 teaspoon of pepto-bismol for every 10 pounds of body weight. The dog can have it every 6 to 8 hours, but if the diarrhea persists after a few doses, stop giving the medication and contact your veterinarian. Additionally, if you’ve never administered Pepto-Bismol to your dog previously, clarify the dosage with your vet.
- Pepto-Bismol administration for dogs: Give your dog the medication using a plastic syringe that is empty (no needle). He should first open his lips, insert the empty syringe below his tongue, push the plunger, and then hold his snout for a brief moment to make sure he swallows it.
Another over-the-counter drug that can be given to dogs to treat diarrhea is Imodium (loperamide). Consult your veterinarian before giving Imodium to your dog if they have any medical issues or are taking any drugs. Before administering this drug to a cat, seek veterinary advice. Cats may react to it.
- Imodium Dosage For Dogs: According to Dr. Klein, a dog can take one 2-milligram pill for every 40 pounds of body weight, two to three times each day. To confirm the dosage, please call your veterinarian. Give this drug to patients for no longer than two days. If the symptoms continue, get veterinarian help.
- Imodium administration for dogs: The GreeniesTM brand of pill pockets or food-wrapped tablets should be given to your dog (like cheese). Use just enough food to cover the pill’s taste in order to avoid further upsetting your dog’s stomach.
Many veterinarians advise Pepcid (famotidine) if your pet has problems with stomach acid buildup, gastric ulcers, or other stomach- or GI-related concerns. Although the FDA has not approved this medicine for use in animals, it is common for veterinarians to suggest its usage in some dogs and cats. If your pet is pregnant, nursing, or has a medical problem, talk to your veterinarian before giving it to them.
- Pepcid Dosage for Dogs: According to Dr. Klein, the dosage for both dogs and cats is one 10-milligram tablet for a 20-pound dog every 12- to 24-hours. Giving this medication an hour before meals is recommended. For confirmation that the dosage is correct for your pet, consult a veterinarian. Make sure to choose Pepcid Original Strength if you decide to buy Pepcid (10 milligram tablets). Pepcid Maximum Strength and Pepcid Complete both include more active components and medication per pill, respectively.
- How to Give Pepcid to Dogs: Giving Pepcid with meals can reduce the medication’s effectiveness. Instead, softly touch your dog’s throat or blow into his nose to encourage swallowing while tilting his head back, placing the pill on the back of his tongue, holding his mouth shut for a brief period of time. Ask your veterinarian for guidance if you have never given medicines to your dog without a treat.
Rice and pumpkin are two meals that can aid dogs with gastrointestinal problems. Find out more about that here.
According to Dr. Klein, he has also recommended probiotics like Pro-Viable or Fortiflora to treat diarrhea. “Results are noticed within 24 hours, he explains, if diarrhea is not severe. Ask your veterinarian where you can buy comparable products.
Emergency First Aid for Dogs
A sudden injury or illness cannot always be prevented, even by the most diligent pet owner. Receiving emergency medical care for your pet could mean the difference between life and death. To find out more about what to do in an emergency, download this e-book.
Can I give a human anti-nausea drug to my dog?
There are no effective over-the-counter (OTC) antiemetics or anti-vomiting drugs for dogs.
These drugs can be used to disguise symptoms in dogs who have ingested foreign objects, have obstructions, or are suffering from serious illnesses. The condition of the dog may appear to improve in the near term, only for it to subsequently deteriorate as the ailment or disease outlasts the treatment.
Even though administering Pepto Bismol to your dog is safe, it can still be harmful if they breathe it into their lungs when vomiting. Pepto Bismol may also make it more challenging for your veterinarian to obtain a precise x-ray if one is required. As a result, it could be more challenging to identify a dog that has ingested foreign material.
Anti-nausea drugs ought to only be administered or recommended by a veterinarian due to all of these factors. An anti-emetic, such as the human medicine ondansetron or the veterinary pharmaceutical Cerenia, can offer relief if your veterinarian prescribes it.
What relieves a dog’s tummy upset?
Start with a tablespoon of food and build up the amount over the course of two hours. Increase the amount of food to 1/21 cup of bland diet every three to four hours if your dog can manage that.
Your dog can gradually resume eating 100% of his or her regular diet if things start to look up for him or her.
Probiotics
When your dog is able to eat and shows signs of improvement, you might want to give him or her unsweetened, plain yogurt containing probiotics or a canine probiotic like FortiFlora, Prostora, or Proviable. Living gut-friendly bacteria are prevalent in the digestive system naturally and are present in probiotics. Probiotics are intended to be consumed in order to avoid digestive issues and strengthen your dog’s immune system.
Foods that can help
The following foods can calm an upset stomach and firm up your dog’s stools if he or she is experiencing diarrhea:
- standard canned pumpkin
- Oatmeal
- unsweetened, plain yogurt
- The sweet potato
- Bananas
Slippery elm bark
Some veterinary professionals advise giving dogs slippery elm bark. An herb called slippery elm bark is used to treat stomach issues in dogs. The mucilage included in slippery elm bark will coat, lubricate, and soothe your dog’s inflamed stomach mucous membranes.
Discourage your dog from eating grass
When their stomachs are disturbed, some dogs seem to have a natural urge to chew grass. Though not all veterinarians concur, some individuals believe the dog is attempting to cause vomiting by ingesting grass. The fact that many lawns are treated with fertilizers and other chemicals makes them unfit for canines to consume, however, is something that veterinarians DO agree on.
Over-the-counter medication
If your dog is experiencing diarrhea, several over-the-counter drugs may be able to assist, but they should only be administered with your veterinarian’s approval. Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, and Pepcid have all been used to treat canine diarrhea. It is important to consult your vet before using them because they can have adverse effects.
While these natural cures can make your dog feel better, they should never take the place of veterinary care. There are numerous potential causes for your dog’s illness, and only your veterinarian can determine the most likely one and suggest the best course of action for treatment.
What natural solutions have you tried to soothe your dog’s stomach discomfort? Please do so in the comments section below to share with the rest of the Canine Campus community.
Can pets consume Tums?
Avoid giving your dog anything that contains the sugar substitute xylitol since, according to Dr. Bris, some Tums include it.
Additionally, xylitol-free Tums should be avoided, advises Dr. Bris, because they may conflict with other drugs your dog is on and result in dangerously high calcium levels in the blood (which is particularly detrimental for canines that have kidney problems). Additionally, while this may seem counterintuitive, he adds that Tums can give your dog diarrhea and an upset stomach.
He adds that while occasionally giving healthy dogs xylitol-free Tums is unlikely to cause harm, it won’t have the same effects as in people.
Since calcium carbonate neutralizes stomach acid, Tums function in humans. Dr. Bris clarifies that because dogs digest food considerably more quickly than humans do, any neutralizing effects would last just a short time.
Given the risks and side effects, it doesn’t seem worth giving your dog Tums for this temporary, unreliable comfort.
Can I feed 20 mg of Pepcid to my dog?
You reach for Famotidine, the canine equivalent of Pepcid, if your dog feels gassy! The 20 mg of famotidine for dogs is used to treat a number of medical conditions, including acid reflux and stomach irritation. Your nervous pets get long-lasting respite from this simple-to-use medication!
Can I feed human omeprazole to my dog?
An antacid called omeprazole functions as a proton pump inhibitor to lessen the formation of stomach acid. Numerous gastrointestinal diseases, including esophagitis, GERD, and gastric ulcers, are treated with omeprazole in dogs. Because omeprazole decreases the generation of cerebrospinal fluid, it can also be used to treat syringomyelia. Omeprazole may also aid dogs with renal illness since it can lessen gastrointestinal sensitivity brought on by kidney disease-related toxins.
When used at the precise dosage advised by your physician, omeprazole for dogs is a safe drug. Diarrhea and/or constipation are omeprazole’s most frequent adverse effects, and skin dermatitis is a rare complication.
Can you give a dog Pepto-Bismol or Maalox?
Did you know that Pepto-Bismol may be safe for your sick dog as well? Pepto-Bismol works wonders when you’re feeling under the weather. Dogs with unsettled stomachs frequently refuse to eat, may exhibit restlessness, or may develop diarrhea. Pepto-Bismol for dogs may be a wonderful option for treating your pal’s sporadic stomach issues when administered for a brief period of time.
As explained by Dr. Bernadine Cruz, a veterinarian at Laguna Hills Animal Hospital in Laguna Woods, California, “Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate are bismuth subsalicylate compounds.”
They can also be utilized as an intestinal protector in addition to their primary function as an antidiarrheal medication. The key is to not overuse Pepto-Bismol, so just give it to your dog occasionally.
If you decide to give Pepto-Bismol to your dog, be careful to give the recommended dosage. “According to Dr. Denise Petryk, the director of veterinary services at Trupanion, there is a substantial risk that your pet will overdose, particularly if you have a very little dog. Therefore, make a call to your veterinarian’s office before giving your dog any Pepto-Bismol.
The following advice is provided by Dr. Scott Perry, a veterinarian at Arlington Animal Hospital in California: “Pepto-Bismol is taken three to four times daily at a dose of 0.25 to 2 ml per 2 pounds of body weight. Your veterinarian can translate that into a dosage you can use. Oh, and never give your cat Pepto-Bismol!
You are given two options.
pill or liquid form. Although it is simpler to deliver pills, liquid is preferable because you can control the dosage better. You should purchase a dosing syringe and use it to dispense the appropriate dosage, suggests Dr. Cruz. The Pepto-Bismol should then be slowly injected into the back of your dog’s mouth using the syringe. To prevent harm to them or your dog, make sure you instruct your dog sitter on how to do this properly.
When your pet spits the liquid out at you, you might be wearing it if you try to pump the entire thing in at once. According to Dr. Cruz, most dogs respond better to the medication when it has been chilled. Dr. Perry advises giving your dog Pepto-Bismol along with food because the meal aids in absorption and keeps the medication down. Therefore, give your dog the dose just before or just after mealtime.
You shouldn’t immediately reach for Pepto-Bismol just because your dog has an intestinal complication “Pepto-Bismol would not be the ideal option, according to Dr. Cruz, if your pet shows little interest in food or drink, if the symptoms are getting worse, or if your pet has a bleeding condition. Call your veterinarian if your dog’s issues have persisted for longer than two days or if you notice blood in the vomit or diarrhea.
Dr. Petryk adds one more justification for not using this product: “When mixed with other drugs your dog might be receiving, Pepto-Bismol can swiftly result in a stomach ulcer. Consult your veterinarian before giving your dog Pepto-Bismol if they are taking any supplements or medications for your dog.
You have some additional options if your dog is unable to take Pepto-Bismol “Dr. Petryk advises feeding your pet a bland diet consisting of cooked rice, boiling lean meats, low-fat or non-fat cottage cheese, or tofu. Your dog might not eat anything at all if he is very uncomfortable. Dr. Petryk continues, “There are other safe drugs to consider that might assist with loose stools, including Maalox, Mylanta, and Pepcid AC.”
Forget the Pepto-Bismol and send your dog to the vet if they are vomiting, appear lethargic, and have diarrhea.”
If enough water or electrolytes are not restored, diarrhea may develop into a dangerous and even fatal illness, according to Dr. Perry. Little dogs under 25 pounds should visit the vet right away if they get diarrhea because they are prone to dehydration.
I’m wondering what additional meds you have on hand could benefit your dog. Study up on Benadryl for canines.
