Heartburn and ulcers are less likely to cause stomach upset than what dogs eat, their meal schedule, and parasitic and bacterial infections. So it’s best to have your veterinarian determine the cause of your dog’s stomach upset and prescribe effective therapy.
Another option is omeprazole, a type of drug called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that is available over the counter as Prilosec OTC. It reduces stomach acid and is the best choice for an ulcer, though, like all medications, it has side effects and should be used only if your veterinarian prescribes it.
A: It would be better to first make an appointment with your veterinarian to find out what’s causing your dog’s upset stomach. Only then can an effective treatment strategy be determined.
Yet another over-the-counter alternative is the class of drugs called H2 antagonists, which block histamine type 2 receptors to decrease stomach acid. Common names are famotidine (Pepcid AC), ranitidine (Zantac) and cimetidine (Tagamet HB). These medications are not as effective in dogs as the PPIs.
Chewable antacids that people pop for heartburn are not very effective in dogs because they aren’t strong enough to counter acidity and they don’t last long.
What if your dog already ate Tums?â
Whether you intentionally give your dog Tums or your pet accidentally got into your Tums supply, there are potential side effects and negative reactions to keep an eye out for.Â
Itâs always best to notify your vet for advice when your dog isnât feeling well. In most Tums cases, Dr. Bris says that an upset stomach should be as serious as the problem gets, and this should subside in a day or so. With your vetâs guidance, try withholding food (but water is fine) for a few hours and then work it back in with a bland diet like plain boiled rice and chicken for a few days until your pet seems back to normal.
However, if the Tums contain xylitol, your pet suffers from any other medical conditions or if there is any other bad reaction happening in your dogâs body, you could notice signs of toxicity, like drooling, neurological indicators like staggering, stuporous/drunk-like behavior, tremors, difficulties breathing or heart rate changes. Whether itâs just an upset stomach or any one of these symptoms, the best and most necessary course of action is always to contact your vet immediately.â
Are there dogs who should not take omeprazole?
We have just established that overall omeprazole is well tolerated by most dogs. But that doesn’t mean that it is right for every dog. Dogs who are sensitive to the effects of omeprazole or medications like it (e.g., pantoprazole) should not take omeprazole or any other proton pump inhibitor.
Also, dogs with liver disease or kidney disease should take very low doses of omeprazole. Safety has not been evaluated in pregnant or lactating dogs, so it is best to avoid giving it to them too.
For dogs taking certain medications, concurrent use of omeprazole may decrease medication absorption or increase the amount of medication present in the body. Before giving omeprazole to your dog, be sure to ask your vet about possible drug interactions. This is primarily a concern if your pup is taking any of the following:
In the same way, if your pup takes any supplements, senior dog supplements, or vitamins (especially B vitamins), omeprazole may decrease their absorption.
What If A Dog Eats Antacid Tablets
You’ll be happy to hear that Tums, when reasonably dosed, is generally safe for dogs.
In fact, the active ingredient (calcium carbonate) works equally well for canines. So, yes, you can alleviate tummy pains with these chalky chewable tablets.
On the other hand, we do not recommend administering Tums as a way to top up your pet’s calcium levels.