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Can I Give My Dog Imodium?

Imodium (Loperamide HCl)

###Yes, but... Imodium is a medication used to treat mild to moderate diarrhea in humans and can be used to treat some cases of diarrhea in dogs. Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of causes: from dietary indiscretion (aka “garbage gut”), toxins, parasites, and food hypersensitivity, to inflammatory bowel disease. It is important to note that Imodium will not treat every cause of diarrhea and could even make matters worse in some situations. This particular drug works by acting directly on the intestines to control the absorption of water and electrolytes in order to prevent waste from being moved through the intestines too quickly. If waste is moved through the intestines too quickly, there is not enough time for the body to absorb the fluids, leading to watery diarrhea. Overdosing may result in vomiting, depression, excessive drooling, and weight loss. If you have administered too much, it is strongly recommended that you seek veterinary care immediately. Potential side effects of using Imodium include sedation, constipation, bloat, or less commonly, potentially paralytic ileus, toxic megacolon, pancreatitis and neurological effects. Certain dogs with MDR1 (multi drug resistance 1 genes), such as many Collies or Shetland Sheepdogs, may be overly sensitive to Imodium. Even though Imodium can often be safely given to dogs, it is not suitable for diarrhea treatment in all dogs. Prior to giving your dog Imodium, you should first consult with your veterinarian. If the diarrhea persists for longer than 24 to 48 hours with Imodium treatment, it is recommended that a licensed veterinarian examine your dog. Further diagnostic testing to determine the cause of diarrhea and best course of treatment may be necessary. **If you decide to use it...** 1. Either Imodium A-D or Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief can be used in dogs. Imodium is available in 2 mg tablets or caplets, or liquid suspensions with 1 mg per 7.5 milliliters (mL). 2. The **dose for dogs** is roughly 0.5 mg per 10 pounds of body weight two to three times per day (every 8-12 hours). Round down! For example: a dose for a 10 lb. dog = ¼ tablet or 3.75 mL a dose for a 20 lb. dog = ½ tablet or 7.5 mL a dose for a 40 lb. dog = 1 tablet a dose for a 75 lb. dog = 1 and ½ tablets 3. It pays to invest in a **pill cutter** or **oral dosing syringes** (often available in 3 mL, 6 mL, or 10 mL sizes) to assure that dosing is accurate. These products can typically be found in most pharmacies, or your pharmacist can direct you. Estimating oral doses is notoriously inaccurate. For comparison, one tablespoon contains 30 mL!

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