Can dogs take Imodium aka immodium or Loperamide for diarrhea?

Answer 1

Immodium and other OTCs containing Loperamide can be fatal to any type of dog that has white hair or fur on its ankles and feet; this is due to a genetic permutation. A number of breeds fall into this category, but the most common are collies (rough collies and border collies). Never give this to a dog with white feet.

Yes, you can, in certain situations. Click one of the links below to find out when you can and should before giving the dog the medication. But you can give Pepto Bismol or Imodium AD, for diarrhea- (1/2 a 2mg tablet for a 20-30 lb. dog, 2-4x day max at 4-6 hour intervals for dogs, 1/8-1/4 if a tablet or 1ml of the liquid for a 10 lb. cat ; if liquid medication, use a syringe inserted in the side of the mouth ).

Your over-the-counter antidiarrheals are:

Kaolin-pectin (Kaopectate) 1-2 mL/kg, PO, qid

Activated charcoal 2-8 g/kg, PO

Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol) 1-3 mL/kg/day in divided doses, PO

Loperamide (Imodium) 0.08 mg/kg, PO, tid-qid

[PO is "by mouth", tid is "three times a day" and qid is "four times a day"]

Good info is here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27840008/ Here: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=0+1459&aid=1432 And here: http://www.petshealth.com/dr_library/vomdiar.html Or, if you can manage a medical reference book, the Veterinary Merk Manual at http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp

I find the book "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook (Howell Reference Books)" [there's one for cat's too, just as good] to be very helpful when needing to figure out what you can give your pet in these situations. Both, dog and cat, books have a chapter on what home medications you can give for the conditions/symptoms and in what dosages.

Warning, after reading either of those books you may wonder who the medicine cabinet is for - you or your pet, because you'll both be using the meds to treat yourselves. The books also tell you, as do the above links, when a run to the Vet is indicated.

These books have saved me a lot of money in avoiding unnecessary trips to the Vet for "tummy aches."

Answer 2

You should not give any animal loperamide unless instructed by your veterinarian. Note that it has NOT been approved for use in animals by the FDA.