With their propensity for getting into anything smelly, dirty or otherwise unpleasant, diarrhea is one of the most common ailments that dogs are plagued by today. It is quite amazing to see some of the X-rays that show what dogs have ingested--nails, small toys, even fish hooks--without causing any harm accept diarrhea. Sometimes dogs just suffer an attack of upset stomach or have a reaction to a change in their diet. If caught early enough, diarrhea in your dog can be controlled by a few simple over-the-counter (OTC) medications. However, if the diarrhea should continue after a period of 48 hours, you should consult with your veterinarian immediately.
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Kaopectate
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Kaopectate is one of the most commonly used OTC medications used for diarrhea in dogs, in both home and professional situations, such as dog grooming and boarding facilities. The general rule of thumb for dosage is 3 milliliters per 10 lbs. of weight given every 12 hours until the diarrhea stops.
The easiest way to administer the medication is with a syringe without a needle. For larger dogs, a syringe used to inject marinades is a good size. Insert the end of the syringe into the bottle, pull up the plunger to draw medicine into the syringe, then let out the liquid until you have the correct dosage. Insert the end of the syringe into the corner of your dog's mouth far enough toward his throat so the medication won't go all over the floor but not enough to make your dog uncomfortable. Then push the end of the plunger, releasing the liquid into your dog's mouth.
Pepto Bismol
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Pepto Bismol comes in at a close second to Kaopectate in popularity as an OTC medication for dogs with loose stools. As with Kaopectate, the dosage is 3 milliliters per 10 lbs. of weight. For example, if your dog weighs 15 lbs., you would give him 4 milliliters of Pepto Bismol every 12 hours until the condition is under control.
Administering the medication is the same as for Kaopectate, using a syringe with no needle to squirt the Pepto Bismol into your dog's throat.
Immodium AD
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Immodium AD, another popular anti-diarrhea aid, is a safe medication that can be bought wherever other OTC drugs are sold and used to control your dog's diarrhea. Veterinarians will often recommend that this medication be given in liquid rather than tablet form, as it is a more precise way to dose your pet. The dosage is the same as for Pepto Bismol, and the liquid Immodium is administered the same way, with a syringe with no needle. Adding a bit of a pediatric electrolyte liquid like Pedialyte to your pet's water can help to replace lost electrolytes.
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