Lopermide for dogs??

MaggieMac · Post by **MaggieMac** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 1:25 pm

Hello All,

I have a problem with my 4 footed friend. She is a Siberian/Golden mix and weighs approx 70lb. The vet has her on "Atopica" and it has resulted in very loose stools. I want to know if it is safe to give her Lopermide to control this misery for her. I called the vet but of course the office is closed and I cannot reach anyone until tomorrow afternoon. The original problem was an ear infection caused by allergy according to the vet. They cleaned her ears and put her on the Atopica and some ear drops. Any advice will be gratefully received by both me and by Tasha as well. Thanks, Maggie

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 2:26 pm

Hi.

You might look this over from Drs. Foster & Smith regarding loperamide for dogs. I couldn't tell you to do it or not to do it or why she may be having this problem. As a rescuer, I have given dogs Kaopectate and Pepto but that was under vet direction.

How long has she been having the looseness? Antibiotics can mess up the intestinal flora causing various problems, such as diarrhea and constipation.

I would make sure she's getting enough fluids and I would buy some Pedialyte to put in her water or even down her mouth with an eyedropper if this has been going on very long. Even Gatorade (not the red kind) would help in that respect.

What exactly are you using? Straight Loperamide tablets or is it a product that may have anything in it that could hurt the dog? A lot of people ingredients don't set well with animals and can even hurt them.

Here's that link: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm ... cleid=1432

MaggieMac · Post by **MaggieMac** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 5:11 pm

Thanks Red Glitter, I think I will wait a bit longer. That write up makes me nervous. The problem has only started and she is droopy but ate her chicken and rice dinner and is drinking too so unless it gets worse I think we will try to ride it out. I like the idea of the pedalyte tho and will get some to keep in case we need it. We live way out of town and I try to keep the necessary emergency items on hand. She is my baby and kept me sane last winter when my other half was in hospital for 3 months after a stroke. Silly I suppose but there it is :-4 Many thanks for your assistance. Maggie

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 5:19 pm

Not silly at all Maggie.

I totally understand that, and many here will.

Yeah, the pedialyte or Gatorade will help her replenish the electrolytes she loses through the diarrhea. Chicken and rice mix is a good meal for a dog who's not feeling well. If it's not too loose yet and it's just recently started, I'd wait for the vet's opinion. Good call all around I think.

Welcome to FG. I hope you'll stick around.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 7:47 pm

I'm sorry, I worked today so just now seeing this...

You can give the loperamide, I've used it many times, but a couple of

caveats: give the child's dose (by weight) and don't give any more

than it says on the package for total treatment, if I remember right

it's 1 tablet first and then 1/2 after an additional bout of the poops,

up to 2 full in 24 hours, something like that. If you do decide to give it,

give it about 2 hours away from the time you are giving the antibiotics.

To replace the good flora in her gut, you can give probiotics, but again,

at 2 hour distance from when you are giving the antibiotics. Probiotics

are nothing more than a good active culture yogurt, I don't know about

stores in your area but most should carry it.

Another thing to try is canned pumpkin, not the pie filling but plain old

canned pumpkin, a tablespoon with her evening meal should be fine.

What do you normally feed her? A lot of times (and it took me YEARS

to figure it out) the bad ears are caused by stuff in her kibble. Once

I got my dog on a good kibble, she never had another infection!

Good luck, give that Tasha baby a kiss for me!!

:-6