Among all of the various nutritional supplements that pet owners routinely give, Prozyme for dogs is one of the very most common. Prozyme is a popular nutritional supplement that is made from protease, amylase, cellulase and lipase, four digestive enzymes that are naturally found in your pet's body. In Prozyme, these enzymes are derived from plant products and are not from animal sources. Like other nutritional supplements, Prozyme is not strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the potential side effects and risks of giving your dog this supplement before you start any dosage schedule or regimen.
Lactose Issues for Dogs
There are multiple types of Prozyme. The first version of the supplement that was created, simply called Prozyme, contains a certain small quantity of lactose. Lactose is a substance which is found in milk and other dairy products. Like some humans, there are certain dogs that are allergic to or sensitive to lactose. If your pet is lactose allergic or lactose intolerant, he may develop a set of side effects related to the presence of lactose in Prozyme. These side effects typically include some of the following:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty with digestion
- Excessive flatulence
Fortunately, you can still provide your pet with the benefits of Prozyme even if he suffers from an inability to properly process lactose. Prozyme Plus is another version of the medicine that contains the same four active ingredient components but which doesn't contain any lactose.
Allergic Reactions in Dogs
Prozyme is generally quite free of side effects that take place in the majority of dogs. This is because the enzymes that are found in Prozyme are naturally produced in your pet's body, so there's less of a chance that they'll cause him any sort of distress or abnormal effect when you give them to him. However, it's important to keep in mind that your dog may have an allergic reaction to one or more of the other ingredients that are present in Prozyme.
Allergic reactions to this supplement can range from mild up to severe and even life threatening. The most severe reactions to Prozyme will typically include the following signs:
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Itching
- Swelling of the face or other parts of the body that come into contact with Prozyme
- Constipation
If you notice these or any other types of unusual reactions to the dosage of Prozyme that you give to your pet, it's a good idea to take your dog in to the vet's office for immediate analysis and treatment. Left unchecked, these reactions may lead to much more severe issues and even to your pet's death.
Prozyme is helpful in aiding your pet's digestive system. If your pet is suffering from digestion problems, Prozyme may be able to help. However, persistent digestion problems may be a sign of other underlying conditions. Take your pet in to the vet for a full examination and analysis before beginning Prozyme treatment.