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Can I give Imodium to a dog with diarrhea? If so how much Imodium can I give my dog? Risks and benefits are explained in the following paragraphs.
There are certain dog diarrhea medications whose names immediately dissonance in our ears as a dog owner. When we hear the product name “Imodium”, it sounds familiar as a solution for humans we can’t help but being skeptical when it relates to a dog.
Indeed, either self-medication solutions or preconceived ideas on the presumed benefits of certain remedies against the soft stools of the dog must always be challenged.
How much Imodium can I give my dog? First, is it good for your dog?
If you are planning to give your dog Imodium for chronic diarrhea, this article is for you. After reading it, we hope you have changed your mind. Because it is a fact that to overcome chronic diarrhea naturally and permanently, there are means more relevant than others, and above all, less dangerous for the health of your animal.
Let’s say it right away, the use of Loperamide, Imodium or Lopéral, can clearly represent a danger for your dog, to a point that you do not suspect. And we’re not exaggerating when we say that it can, in some cases, prove to be fatal with certain breeds of dogs carrying a genetic mutation in the MDR “Multidrug Resistance” gene. This is also what many veterinarians will explain to you, so be careful.
Self-medication with Imodium (or Lopéral) in cases of dog diarrhea is a relatively frequent practice. In addition, Imodium or Lopéral being over-the-counter, dispensed without a prescription, it is difficult to have a precise estimate of the medical complications associated with its use in the case of dog diarrhea.
But let’s be clear, because it is our duty to inform you, Imodium should not be used in all dogs and may involve risks that should not be overlooked since it can be fatal for certain dogs and certain dog breeds Plain and simple!
Only in very specific conditions
Although Imodium is contraindicated to treat chronic diarrhea, it can nevertheless be used in acute diarrhea. It is a symptomatic remedy for acute diarrhea, the anti diarrhae role of which makes it possible to reduce the hydration of matters located in the digestive contents, to immediately slow down transit, while reducing intestinal secretions.
For best results, it should be administered by observing a stopping food intake for 24 hours, and then start a gradual return to normal diet in the next 48 to 72 hours.
But as we have pointed out, it has side effects, sometimes not insignificant, that you should be aware of. Certain alternatives or natural treatments are often more relevant, and can be implemented easily, as we will see.
How much Imodium can I give my dog? Beware of the side effects!
Imodium can have unwanted effects in dogs and it must therefore be used with full knowledge of the facts, in order to avoid serious and sometimes irremediable consequences.
As reported by many veterinaries “Imodium is not without danger”, particularly for more sensitive domestic dogs. Here are the common side effects:
Digestive effects : constipation, bloating, vomiting. It is not uncommon to find pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas with high blood lipase and amylase levels
Effects on the nervous system: excitement or depression of the nervous system, with a dog becoming prostrate, having paresis or ataxia
Cardio-respiratory effects with a slowing of the heart rate and respiratory rate, which can go as far as respiratory distress in case of overdose.
In the event of an overdose or administration for an extended period, a “paralytic ileus” may appear which is an intestinal obstruction as well as important neurological signs can be observed.
In hepatic insufficiency, there should be increased clinical monitoring of the animal.
If blood appears in the dog’s stool, immediately stop taking Imodium.
Finally, with hepatitis, it is better to simply not give Imodium to the dog.
Contraindications of Imodium for dogs
However, Imodium should not be administered to a certain number of dogs with any of the following profiles:
- Occlusion or suspected bowel obstruction
- Cases of infectious diarrhea
- In dogs less than 3 months old
- In dogs weighing less than 2 kg
- In pregnant or lactating females
- In case of hemorrhagic enteritis
- An abnormality in the MDR1 gene, which some sheepdogs carry
Speaking of the MDR1 gene, you can order from your veterinary a blood test to find out whether or not your dog has an MDR1 gene defect. If this is the case, then Imodium will obviously be totally contraindicated. Today there are medicinal or natural effective solutions that can treat chronic and acute diarrhea without endangering the health of the dog.
Besides, dog diarrhea should treated by addressing the root cause of the condition and a proper diet established as a result.
Known breeds likely to incur the toxic neurological effects of Imodium:
- Collie
- German shepherd
- Australian Shepherd (including miniature)
- Swiss white shepherd
- Border collie
- English shepherd
- Longhaired whippet
- Silken windhound
- Mc Nab
- Shetland
- Old English Sheepdog
- Wäller
And of course, Imodium is totally contraindicated for all breeds of dogs that are sensitive and have the defect in the MDR1 gene or are likely to have it (without genetic testing done), because of the risks of neurological toxicities which can be very harmful to the dog.
What natural and safe alternative to Imodium against dog diarrhea?
There is no shortage of natural alternatives available in the market. In the past the dog also lived in nature, it should not be forgotten. Like the wolf, it ate almost exclusively raw meat. Such diet suited his digestive system perfectly. Therefore, diarrhea was more than rare.
Today we must remember that the dog is still a carnivorous animal, even if he sleeps in your living room.
There are two treatments against diarrhea in dogs, allowing them to prevent but also and above all to treat and stop their condition. These effective methods are natural and complementary:
Fasting: a rapid soothing of the intestines
The 24 to 48 hour fast (complete stop) is arguably the oldest known natural remedy for dog diarrhea. It is part of the best practices to immediately put in place to soothe the dog’s intestines and help him eliminate the toxic source. Thanks to it, the intestinal flora calms down and rebuilds itself. Simply leave plenty of water for your dog during this time.
A quality diet meeting the biological and natural needs of the dog
After the 24 to 48 hour fast, the other “medicine against diarrhea” is obviously quality food. On its own, it is enough to overcome the majority of chronic diarrhea conditions that are not related to intestinal worms. In our opinion, the influence of diet on chronic diarrhea in dogs is clearly underestimated in most cases.
You probably noticed that this article did not answer the question “How much Imodium can i give my dog”, simply because we do not recommend this drug for dogs. It is our dearest wish that you will consider the above-mentioned approach to treat the strong diarrhea of your dog and therefore make a much better choice for your canine friend, but in the short and long term.