Side Effects of Administering Glutamine to Canines

Although your dog's body usually produces enough of the amino acid glutamine (or L-glutamine) for its needs, injury or illness, surgery, intense physical exercise or prolonged stress can cause a temporary deficiency. Some owners recommend supplementing glutamine in these pets or in those with intestinal or bowel disorders, diarrhea or muscle wasting. There are risks, however. Although glutamine supplements are used in humans, dogs and cats, actual clinical trials with animals are lacking. And not only are supplements not strictly regulated--with the danger of incorrect amounts of the supplement or the presence of adulterants--but glutamine can also cause side effects. Always consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any supplements, and remind her of any conditions your dog has as well as medications or supplements it is taking.

  1. Seizures

    • According to Lawrence Wilson, a medical doctor and nutrition consultant, foods high in glutamate can trigger epileptic seizures. Theoretically, then, glutamine supplements might have the propensity to increase the risk of seizures in sensitive dogs. If your dog has epilepsy or any other seizure disorder, it is best to avoid glutamine supplements.

    Glucose

    • The health-care services at Columbia University suggest that instead of passing harmlessly from your dog's body, extra amounts of glutamine in the blood might be used to produce glucose. This could increase a diabetic dog's blood-glucose level to dangerous levels. As a precaution, if your dog has diabetes, you should reconsider giving it glutamine.

    Affects the Liver

    • Doctors warn their human patients to avoid glutamine supplements if they have liver issues or disease, and you should take a similar precaution with your dog. It is believed that because the body breaks L-glutamine down into ammonia, glutamine supplementation could potentially worsen hepatic encephalopathy, a brain condition caused by high ammonia levels from liver disease.

    Constipation

    • MayoClinic.com mentions the frequent urge to defecate and straining while passing stools as common side effects of glutamine. Lew Olson, writer of the B-Naturals.Com Newsletter for pets, also mentions constipation as a possible side effect. Watch for any difficulties your dog might have with bowel movements. Stop the glutamine supplements and bring the dog to your veterinarian should you notice a problem.

    Interacts With Medications

    • If your dog is taking lactulose, any seizure medications or is undergoing chemotherapy, it is best to avoid glutamine supplements. The website eMedTV mentions that glutamine could lower the effectiveness of lactulose (a medication for constipation as well as treating or preventing liver disease complications) and seizure medications, including phenobarbital, primidone and valproic acid. Further, while it has yet to be proven in studies, there is also some concern that glutamine might decrease the effectiveness of some cancer medications. Consult your veterinarian before giving your dog glutamine supplements.