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Using Immodium to Treat Dogs With Diarrhea

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Diarrhea is a frequent medical concern for dogs and dog owners.If your dog gets diarrhea often, immodium may be a viable treatment option. While canine diarrhea may be a sign of a significant underlying health issue, it may also occur due to basic indigestion or other common problems.

Immodium, also known as kaopectate, is a narcotic antidiarrheal drug which treats conditions related to inflammatory bowel disease and indigestion in humans. While many dog owners have found that human antidiarrheals have proven successful with their pets, the FDA has not approved the use of immodium for dogs. For this reason especially, it's important to understand the benefits and risks of treating your dog's diarrhea with immodium.

How Immodium Works

Immodium helps to relieve diarrhea by reducing the effect of common digestive toxins, while simultaneously returning an inflamed or malfunctioning intestinal tract to its normal, healthy state.

Benefits of Immodium Use in Dogs

Immodium can be highly successful in treating symptoms related to diarrhea in dogs, and often resolves the symptoms in a short period of time. Generally, immodium side effects in dogs are limited, although it is always best to check with your veterinarian for any risks in administering it to your individual pet.

Risks Associated With Immodium Use in Dogs

As with any medicine, although especially with medicines that have not been approved for veterinary use, be careful when treating your dog with immodium. Side effects are uncommon but may include the following:

Immodium should never be administered to dogs that are allergic to narcotic drugs, nor should it be used in dogs with underlying kidney, gastrointestinal, liver or respiratory conditions. If your dog has a chronic and preexisting condition, consult with your veterinarian before using.

In many cases, diarrhea may be merely a symptom of a more serious condition. Immodium is effective at treating diarrhea, but it will not address any underlying medical concerns that your dog is facing. It is important to always have your dog examined by a veterinarian if he displays any other symptoms, or if his stool does not return to normal within 2 days.

Administering Immodium to Your Dog

Dogs typically require about 0.1 milligrams of immodium per pound of weight in each dose. Doses should be administered orally every 6 to 8 hours for no more than 2 days. If symptoms continue after this period, discontinue the treatment program and have your dog examined by a veterinarian.

As with any other antidiarrheal drug treatment program, ensure that your dog drinks plenty of water and does not eat any potentially upsetting foods.

Speak with your vet about the possibility of using immodium to help treat your dog's diarrhea. Many dog owners have found that it is a cheap, quick and highly effective treatment plan.

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