Imodium for dogs: Imodium is an anti-diarrhea medication commonly used for people, not dogs. This brand name is the generic drug loperamide. It slows digestion so that small intestines have more time to absorb fluids and nutrients.
It also treats chronic diarrhea normally caused by inflammatory bowel disease. Imodium helps regulate the frequency and make stools stronger. It treats the symptoms of human diarrhea, but can this medicine also be a safe medicine for dogs?
There are specialized medications for canine diarrhea. But there are also over-the-counter medications that can be used to treat the condition of your dog like Pepto Bismol. One of the safest over-the-counter medications for dog diarrhea is Imodium.
Can I give Imodium for Dogs?
Answer: Yes, under the supervision of a veterinarian
It is considered safe for the treatment of cases of canine diarrhea. Dogs occasionally live with diarrhea. This does not mean you should give Imodium for Dogs at the first sign of diarrhea. One of the most common causes is to take in foods that they should not eat such as spoiled food, foreign objects or toxic substances.
Understanding the reasons for these symptoms could be very beneficial and the basis for the treatment.
If your dog is having constantly unexplained loose bowel movements or you notice chronic and recurrent diarrhea, take them to your local veterinarian to find out what is really causing it.
A qualified veterinarian will know when and how to give this medicine readily available. Maybe they will inform you that your particular dog should not take it.
Veterinarians use this drug over the counter:
Veterinarians have prescribed this medicine to treat acute and chronic diarrhea in dogs. Although considered generally safe for dogs, it should only be used under the close care and with detailed instructions from a professional. It is recommended for pregnant and lactating dogs. If you give them wrong, it could mean more problems for your dog.
Keep in mind, the underlying cause of your dog’s diarrhea will be the basis of your vet for giving medications. If Imodium is given incorrectly, which means if they receive the wrong dosage or it has been ingested by an allergic dog, they may experience more problems or even death.
Side effects of Imodium:
The usual side effects of Imodium in humans are mild drowsiness and dizziness. These can also be experienced by your dog. Your puppy may also experience some mild constipation, abdominal pain, bloating and vomiting due to the potency of this medication.
Make sure you let your dog rest while they are being medicated, as they may feel some slight discomfort. Any side effects that indicate an aggravation of your dog’s condition should immediately be addressed with a veterinarian.
Warnings & Contraindications:
As stated above, Imodium for Dogs should not be given when they are pregnant and nursing puppies. Apart from this, if your dog has ingested the poison, this medicine can only be given until the toxin has been removed from their system.
If your dog also experiences abdominal pain or head trauma, do not give this medicine as it can lead to even more complications. If the diarrhea was caused by a bacterial infection such as salmonella, other medications or treatment should be used instead. That’s why veterinarians can be savers of life.
Treatment of canine diarrhea:
Most of the time, the initial treatment for dog diarrhea is to hold food and fast for at least 24 hours. Once fasting, provide them with sufficient amounts of fresh water to prevent dehydration. Diarrhea greatly contributes to dehydration so it is very important to maintain your dog’s water supply during this critical period.
If their condition does not improve, your veterinarian can then prescribe medication to regulate your dog’s bowel movements. On the other hand, a constant improvement condition may mean that you can start feeding them bland and low-fat foods for a period of time.
You may be advised to mix some probiotic products into their meals since the bacteria in probiotics could help replenish the nutrients they lost. Continue to provide a simple diet, such as chicken with rice until your dog reaches normal bowel movements. It can also be helpful to give high fiber foods such as pumpkin.