Are you giving your dog an antacid daily? Better think again.

Many dogs are put on antacids like Pepcid or Prilosec daily for upset stomach. Antacids are used commonly in dogs that have been diagnosed with gastric reflux. Clients are told by the vet that there is no reason that the drugs can’t be given indefinitely. This is not true. Like most drugs, there can be side effects, especially in dogs and cats.

Dogs and cats are carnivores and require meat as their primary source of energy. Their stomach has an increased in acidity in order for them to start processing the meat as well as protecting them from unwanted microbial contamination. This is why they can eat or drink all those nasty things without getting sick.

When a pet is put on daily antacids, then it reduces the normal acidity in the stomach, which interferes with digestion and eliminates their natural protection against ingested bacteria.

Like most conventional medicine approaches, we rely too much on drug therapy instead of identifying the problem and trying to eliminate it so that we don’t have to use drugs. We often believe that just because a drug is “over the counter” that it has no side effects. This is absolutely not true.

Antacids have the potential for both short and long-term side effects. Some pets will often get diarrhea or constipation while on the drug. Long term side effects that are common include rebound hyperacidity in the stomach as the body tries to compensate for reduced acid in the stomach, often causing the symptoms to get worse. These drugs will also bind with certain minerals like phosphorus, which can lead to loss of bone density.

When we rely on drugs to treat symptoms, we are often ignoring the cause of the problem. Recently, I had a lady contact me about her dog. She told me that her dog had been on an antacid for over a year and that she had read that this could be harmful to her dog. I agreed that this was true and asked her if there had been an attempt to identifying the underlying cause to the gastric reflux. She said that there had not been. I told her that one of the most common cause of gastric reflux in senior dogs (her dog was 12 years old) was a side effect of drugs, particularly NSAIDs, like Rimadyl and Metacam.

She told me that her dog had been on Rimadyl for two years, six months before the gastric reflux had started. This was a classic case of one drug’s side effects causing problems that was being addressed with another drug that in time, would likely cause other problems.

If your pet has been diagnosed with gastric reflux or any other disease that has to be treated with antacids, find a integrative vet that will help you identify the underlying problem. In the meantime, instead of using antacids, you might try slippery elm powder or marshmallow extract. Either would give your pet the same benefit of relieving gastric upset, without the side effects.

Better yet using Manuka Honey (must be Comvita Manuka and UMF 10+ or UMF 15+) even for cancer dogs who you would not consider giving sugar trust me Combita Manuka is the exception.

I learned Manuka UMF 10+ or higher was not only an antibacterial & anti-fungal to fight infection, but when taken orally had the ability to aid in digestive upset, decrease stomach acid treating acid reflux, prevent & repair stomach ulcers, treat allergies and even treat kennel cough!

Please note: Manuka Honey is not safe for young puppies, dogs that have diabetes, acute pancreatitis/ history of chronic pancreatitis or are overweight.

**UMF 10+ is the same as an MGO 263 & UMF 15+ is the same as an MGO 550 – Make sure MGO is from New Zealand!

Did you know?

Tums label:

750mg calcium carbonate (300mg elemental calcium) per tablet.

If tums weren’t filled with red & blue dye – they would actually be an appropriate bone source for dogs.

Perhaps I should start taking my poodles MCHA powder, if this reflux situation is going to be invading my life. Or I can lower my stress life and better my diet .

Go ahead do your research… I did mine!

All reactions:

2You and 1 other

Boost post

All reactions:

2You and 1 other