Stomach Ache Over the Counter Meds for Dogs

I got this from one of those "Just Answer" sites (vet, obviously) when Dexter was so sick at 12:30am. Thought it was good info, but wouldn't want anyone to think it replaces seeing a vet when a Dobe has a gastro problem.

They're so susceptible to bloat, blockage, and possibly a twisted stomach, so sometimes it really is an emergency, and other times, it's just a stomach ache that can be treated symptomatically.

I paid $22 for this advice the other nite and really thought it was helpful.

Just don't "over rely" on it just in case. I lost my beloved Loki a year ago due to a blockage and got very bad vet advice/treatment from our old vet, and even worse help from the emergency clinic. So be careful and cautious. (Obviously I have a new vet clinic, that takes emergency calls "on call".)

That said, here's the Over the Counter stuff this online vet recommended:

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If he seems disoriented, walking like drunk, or very weak, you cannot wait for examination tomorrow. he should be seen tonight.

Also, if he is panting heavily, seems bloated, or trying to vomit (whether something comes out or not), you must get into an ER!

Dobie's are predisposed to conditions like stomach bloat, which can be very serious.

My primary concerns for vomiting include:
- Dietary indiscretion (eating something you do not know about)
- Stomach or intestinal foreign body
- Something that was given to them (new food, new treat, human food)
- Intestinal parasitism (not just the worms, but the microscopic bugs like Giardia and Coccidia). They can cause vomiting also, not just diarrhea
- Toxin exposure would be less likely, unless you have reason to suspect exposure to a chemical.
- Less commonly, endocrine diseases like Addison’s


To help settle the stomach you can use of the following, but not as a replacement for veterinary examination:

1. Pepcid A.C. (famotidine) comes in 10mg, 20mg, or 40mg tablets.
You can give it every 12 hours. You give 0.25 to 0.5mg per pound of body weight. So, a 20 pound dog would get 5 to 10mg. A typical cat gets ¼ tablet of the 10mg tablet.

2. Prilosec (omeprazole). It comes in 10mg or 20mg tablets.
You can give in every 24 hours. You give 0.25 to 0.5mg per pound of body weight. So, a 20 pound dog would get 5 to 10mg.

3. Zantac (Ranitidne). It comes in 75mg, 150mg, or 300mg sizes.
You can give it every 8 to 12 hours. You give 0.25 to 1mg per pound of body weight. So, a 20 pound dog would get roughly 1/3 tablet of the 75mg. Even with bigger pets, it is easiest to get the smallest size tablet. Even a 75 pound dog would only need one 75mg tablet.

4. Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate
You can give it every 8 hours. The average dose is 1ml per pound of body weight, and that is the TOTAL dose for the day. So, if a pet weighs 30 pounds, they would get a total of 30ml a day or 10ml every 8 hours. This is dosing for regular strength Pepto-Bismol. If you use maximum strength liquid, give half as much.