Sucralfate is a drug that veterinarians prescribe for dogs for the treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal lesions. Here you will learn everything you need to know about this preparation.
Sucralfate for dogs: dosage and contraindications
In certain cases, dogs suffer from gastrointestinal lesions. They need treating with medication, such as ulcers in the esophagus or duodenum. In these cases, sucralfate can be a way to cure these symptoms.
Of course, sucralfate, like any medicine, should be prescribed by a veterinarian after the animal has been examined and its situation analyzed. Therefore, in today’s article we want to tell you everything you need to know about this drug and its use for dogs.
What is Sucralfate?
If your pet has a health problem, you should always consult a veterinarian to ensure professional treatment for the animal. In addition, it is recommended that you inform yourself as much as possible about the problem and the recommended treatment. Today we explain to you what Sucralfat is and what it is used for.
As we have already mentioned, it is a drug for ulcers that has a cytoprotective effect on the stomach mucosa. It releases aluminum hydroxide, which spreads as a barrier over the stomach lesions. In this way, it protects the areas where the mucous membrane and superficial epithelium are damaged and prevents irritation by stomach acid.
This medication is available as an oral suspension or in tablet form, depending on what the veterinarian considers advisable. In addition, you must also take into account the respective needs of your dog. For example, some dogs tolerate tablets worse than a gel. Therefore, you should also inform your veterinarian about it.
What is sucralfate used for in dogs?
The use of this drug is indicated for the treatment of oral, stomach, esophageal (such as refluxesophagitis) and duodenal ulcers, tumors in the digestive system and for the healing of postoperative trauma. In addition, sucralfate is also very effective in dogs suffering from chronic liver or kidney problems, as these diseases often cause gastrointestinal ulcers.
This drug is also good for preventing stomach irritation and injuries. Ulcers are very common in dogs that receive steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs over a long period of time. In these cases, sucralfate is not only good for treatment, but also for prophylaxis.
But this drug not only has a protective effect, but also serves as an acid neutralizer, albeit to a lesser extent. This is because it releases aluminum in the regions adjacent to the injury as if it were a local antacid.
Dosage of sucralfate for dogs
The connection with the stomach mucosa that arises during the administration of sucralfate lasts for 6 hours. 24 hours after administration of a single dose, there are usually no traces of the drug in this area. The dosage is therefore based on two essential aspects:
- The dosage form of the drug (suspension or tablet)
- The weight of the dog
As stated by experts, sucralfat is administered orally to dogs. Either in a low dose of 1 millilitre per 12 kilogram or in a high dose of 1 millilitre per 6 kilogram. However, the veterinarian must decide on a case-by-case basis whether this dosage is appropriate or whether it needs to be increased or decreased.
He will also determine the total duration of treatment. This depends on the reasons for initiating treatment and the condition of the animal. As a rule, it is between two days and two weeks. In addition, when administering the doses, it should be noted that the drug should normally be taken on an empty stomach.
Contraindications of Sucralfat
The administration of this drug has no excessive contraindications. Nevertheless, there are contraindications in certain cases. We will summarize them in the following list:
- Dogs that have already shown hypersensitivity to this medication.
- Pregnant bitches. There are no contraindications in puppies.
- Dogs that suffer from constipation, as this can complicate the situation.
- Although the drug is not contraindicated, you have to be careful in dogs with impaired intestinal motility.
- Caution is advised if the dog is taking other medications, as it can delay or partially inhibit the intake. In this case, it is important to inform the veterinarian.
Side effects of Sucralfat for dogs
The side effects when taking this medicine are generally very mild and transient. The main side effect of sucralfate in dogs is mild constipation with continuous intake. In a small percentage of cases, other symptoms may occur, such as the following:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Itching
- Gases
- Urticaria
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Stomach pain
What to do if you forget to give your dog the medicine?
If you have missed a dose, you can give it to your dog later, unless the next dose is imminent. This is evident from the statements of experts. In this case, you should skip the missed dose and administer the next dose at the scheduled time.
What you should definitely not do is give your dog a double or additional dose to the one recommended by the veterinarian. In addition, you should not stop taking medication before the prescribed time, unless recommended by a specialist.
Sucralfate is a safe drug for dogs unlike other medicines. Nevertheless, you should never treat a pet yourself without veterinary advice. The fact that a dog has never shown symptoms before certain treatments does not mean that he will not show any undesirable effects when taking one or the other medication.