Can You Give a Dog Pepto Bismol for an Upset Stomach?
Can You Give a Dog Pepto Bismol for an Upset Stomach? Yes, technically you can give a dog Pepto Bismol in an attempt to treat a mild upset tummy, but that does come with some serious caveats, and you should never do this without first consulting your veterinarian. Here, we give you an in-depth look (with help from a vet!) at the risks involved, the best dosage, potential side effects, and even some improved options for canine stomach troubles.
The Active Ingredient and How It Works?
Pepto Bismol The active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol is bismuth subsalicylate. Pepto-Bismol forms a protective coat over the irritated surfaces of the gastrointestinal system, which soothes inflammation and slows down the movement of extra water into the intestinal tract, thereby reducing diarrhea. There are also mild effects against certain gut pathogens, although there is evidence of minor antibiotic action. Since the active compound is a form of salicylate, an aspirin compound, there are concerns about the use in canines.
Can You Give a Dog Pepto Bismol for an Upset Stomach?
The Salicylate Risk: Why Vets Are Cautious
The primary reason that veterinarians do not often prescribe Pepto Bismol for initial treatment. The risks associated with it are:
Ulcerations in the Stomach and GI Bleeding: Salicylates can damage a dog’s lining in the stomach and affect the blood’s clotting capabilities. This can cause extremely dangerous GI bleeding and ulceration. Masking Major Illnesses Black, sticky stool from a dose of Pepto is usually harmless in and of itself.
The catch is; however that black, sticky stool is a warning sign for major internal bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal system.
How can anyone tell if the situation has improved: if they don’t know if he or she is dying or just needs time to bounce back ? It can have side-effects like interaction with other medications Pepto Bismol can dangerously interact with popular pain relievers in dogs like Rimadyl and Deramax. It should not be given to dogs with steroids like prednisone, to prevent blood clots ,or to those who are taking Certain antibacterial treatments like tetrayclin. Toxicity The use of excess salicylates or using Pepto-Bismol continuously may lead to extremely high level of this chemical in a dog’s blood. This excess salicylate can poison a dog’s kidneys and liver.
When Should You Not Give Pepto Bismol?
Absolutely do not give your dog Pepto Bismol if they are:
If he or she: takes anti-inflammatory medication, steriods, or blood thinners . If his or she is expecting or nursing. Has stomach ulcers, any other history of GI bleeding or any recognized bleeding disorders. Shows signs of extreme illness (ie – blood in stool or vomit; non-responsive; can’t keep water down or displays visible pain) Young puppies; senior dogs; or a cat (dogs tolerate salicylates much better than cats, making the medication generally unsafe for cats)
If Your Vet Approves: Safe Dosage Guidelines
If your vet says that Pepto Bismol may be a good short-term remedy for a mild case of diarrhea in your dog, it will usually be administered at a dose of no more than one to two times, and the vet will be able to prescribe an exact dosage, which is determined by body weight . There are several common dosage guidelines out there. A frequently referenced general dose is 1 teaspoon (5ml) per 10 lbs of body weight, once every 6-8 hours.
Better-referenced veterinarian resources will advise to dose between 0.25 to 2ml per kg of body weight (equivalent to between 0.1 and 0.9ml per lb of body weight).
Remember to only use the original liquid formula when administering it to your pet as it is the only formulation that allows for precise measuring. And, avoid any formulation of Pepto-Bismol which contains the sweetener xylitol, because xylitol is lethal to dogs.
Also Check: Why is my dog reverse sneezing so frequently?
Administration Tips
- Formulation: The liquid form is often preferred for dosing, but a vet may recommend tablets to avoid the mess and risk of aspiration (liquid entering the lungs) .
- Administration: Use a pet dosing syringe for liquid and place it toward the back of the tongue to help them swallow . Tablets can be hidden in a small amount of food .
Home Care for a Dog with an Upset Stomach
Before resorting to medication, try these safest alternatives your vet would suggest for mild cases of stomach upset:
- With hold food: (Adult dogs) give them a rest from eating for about 8 to 12 hours; this allows their gastrointestinal tract time to settle.
Offer a bit of water: Make sure your dog drinks some water, but not all at once; offer a few small sips at a time.
Provide them a Bland diet: Boiled white chicken with skinless, boneless white rice and offer in small meals throughout 24 to 48 hours. - Probiotics Try giving your dog: some pet-appropriate probiotics that will give your dog the chance to build up the good gut flora again.
Conclusion
Although a very popular remedy at home for your human, the Pepto Bismol for canines, for health’s side-effect consequences, toxicity and side-effect complications cannot be understated. Giving your dog with a prescription from you vet is essential, but with something as mundane as belly upset, a temporary bland food diet and watchful care is best.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I go ahead and give my dog Pepto Bismol for an upset tummy before calling the vet?
Probably not. Pepto’s in a risk factor for dogs taking medications like blood thinners or being on long term steroids. Plus, you can’t quite be 100% sure your dog isn’t suffering a serious underlying medical issue requiring a veterinarian to assess him or he will even know, by simply Googling Pepto Bismol dosages.
What’s the right dose of Pepto Bismol for a dog?
The most commonly recognized rule of thumb: give 1 tsp of liquid for every 10 pounds your dog is weighing, but a veterinarian recommends giving . 1 ml – . 9 ml per pound your dog is weighing. However, no matter what dosage guidelines you’re able to come across, always give your dog the right amount of the drug specified by your vet, since too much could have detrimental effects.
What kinds of side effects do I have to look forward to with a dog being on Pepto Bismol?
Side effects: vomiting, poor appetite, and loose to diarrhea stool or constipated, diarrhea which in turn will be an alternate shade of dark colored or even be the color black from having been in contact with the bismuth-sulfur interaction (more on that in 4).
Why does the stool turn black from a dog’s medication?
Bismuth is a key component in pepto-Bismol, which in contact with sulfur (which normally exists in the intestines), form a substance referred to to be as the black substance known to be called bismuth sulfide. That this is a totally harmless chemical combination and there’s no need to worried (unless black stools could signal a major gastrointestinal problems).
I just picked up some Pepto Bismol tablets that I was trying to get to give my pooch: safe for doggies as the liquid?
It sure may seem that tablets will be easy for him to take, especially with having him choke him with any liquid or having difficulty getting your pup’ to swallow some of it; however, the tablets can have some difficulty passing through a dog’s esophagus in being a dangerous problem.
My doggy has an extremely sensitive stomach and can be considered a puppy: Can I use Pepto Bismol for him or her?
Definitely not. Dogs and cats that aren’t out of puppy stage aren’t able to have Pepto Bismol with them because their bodies have different needs.
Pepto Bismol can make a canine friend’s case a whole lot worse with it making them a tad ill and if not treated proper may lead to losing appetite, and then death.
My doggie had some unfortunate, upset problems in his stomach after receiving Pepto Bismol, and it hasn’t gone away: now what do I do?
Now you must stop administering Pepto Bismol immediately and call you’re a vet; have your dog seen ASAP if the issue gets worse over a 24 hour period or longer if not treated! Your pet’s life could rely on prompt attention!
Did Pepto Bismol hide something serious in my dog that I didn’t realize?
That’s one of the biggest problems; one may feel that they are treating an upset stomach, while in fact they could be trying to fix the situation as it gets worse. As if an example, perhaps they just put that problem off as a simple stomach ache, and if they hadn’t tried, or even used, Pepto, may, just perhaps, have caught their pet at just the time when they could have really saved him or her.
There has to be a lot of better things to use than Pepto Bismol: is there any?
Giving your dog an short fast, the simple 5- or 10 – meal plain foods such as white meat and a whole wheat bread or brown rice, as well as over-the counter probiotics as a natural treatment would be better. You also want to get your canine buddy up-and out of, and/or even better yet down to the veterinarian to get over-the counter Pepto’s is for pets called K P P-K0, as the pet will enjoy. You could then go out the vet with more-information and options to pursue to see.
