Is Imodium Safe for Dogs?
If you are a dog owner, chances are you have woken to a dog with diarrhea who has made a smelly mess everywhere, which you must clean. Most dogs feel distressed when experiencing digestive issues, and their owners feel concerned about their precious canines.
Imodium is a staple item in most people’s medicine chests as it is an effective, inexpensive, over-the-counter medication for treating diarrhea. However, it is made for humans, so the big question is: can you give a dog Imodium and should you?
What is Imodium?
Also known as loperamide, Imodium has been a recognized treatment for diarrhea for decades. Most people trust it to get diarrhea under control without delay. Loperamide is a synthetic opioid. Upon hearing this, some users become nervous because they hear horror stories about people becoming addicted to opioids. These drugs include oxycodone and morphine, which work as pain relievers and might be habit-forming. However, loperamide does not feature in the list of opioids someone is likely to become addicted to, as it has few pain-relieving properties.
Opioids slow down food movement in the gut, allowing it to bind into solid stool before it is excreted from the body. Loperamide is highly effective in doing this, hence its use for treating diarrhea.
Using Imodium when your dog has diarrhea
There are circumstances under which Imodium is a great way to treat diarrhea in canines. However, vets advise that you use it with caution. Before administering Imodium to your dog, establish what is causing their upset stomach.
It could be something as simple as having eaten something they should not have, such as a lizard or frog. The dog’s diarrhea will soon pass after they expel the waste. Diarrhea could also be a response to ingesting something toxic or an infection in the digestive system. In these cases, it is wise to let diarrhea continue and seek treatment at your vet. Suppressing it will only make your dog’s condition worsen.
Phone your vet before administering loperamide to a dog. A vet will ask questions about your dog’s diarrhea, including what the stools look and smell like, how frequently your doggie’s tummy has worked, and whether there are other symptoms.
Based on your answers, a vet can tell whether you should treat diarrhea or bring your dog in for medical intervention. Your vet also knows your dog’s medical history and can advise you on whether using Imodium would do more harm than good.
When should you not contemplate using Imodium?
Some dog breeds cannot tolerate loperamide in their systems. Herding breeds have a genetic factor that prevents their bodies from metabolizing Imodium, making it dangerous for them to consume loperamide. Even if you own a mixed breed dog that has some herding dog ancestry, avoid using Imodium. Ask your vet if there are alternate medications or natural diarrhea remedies you can try.
Dogs with existing conditions, such as kidney disease, epilepsy, hyperthyroidism, Addison’s disease, or lung conditions should not ingest Imodium, especially if they are on medication to treat their illness. Loperamide might interfere with the medicine’s potency or cause secondary side effects.
Owners of juvenile or senior dogs should avoid loperamide. Pregnant and lactating females must not receive Imodium, much like their human counterparts should not either. In these instances, let your vet determine the best course of action, or try a natural remedy like rice water, which is known to bind loose stools.
Dosages and side effects of Imodium
Having ensured that it is safe to administer Imodium to your dog, the next question is how much to give them. The standard rule for loperamide is to give a 50-pound dog a 2 mg Imodium capsule two or three times daily.
A 25-pound dog would require half a capsule. If you plan to use Imodium liquid, calculate your dog’s dose as 0.1 mg per 2 kg (2.2 lbs.) of body weight.
Most dogs will not take medication willingly, so find a way to get it down the hatch with minimal fuss. However, avoid foods that will worsen diarrhea. For example, if you usually put pills inside a piece of cheese, try bread as dairy products make a runny tummy worse.
Be careful not to give your dog too much Imodium as it can lead to exacerbated side effects, including drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, constipation, and gas. Err on the side of caution and give slightly less than the calculation indicates. Do not offer another dose too soon after the first if the dog’s tummy runs again.
Give the Imodium a chance to work before administering another dose. If your dog experiences side effects or you are worried that they might have had too much, consult your vet immediately.
