The medical records of 37 dogs diagnosed with chronic idiopathic large-bowel diarrhea were reviewed. The median age of affected dogs was 6 years. The median body weight was 13.9 kg. The median duration of clinical signs before diagnosis was 32 weeks. Diarrhea usually was intermittent and characterized by increasing frequency, fecal mucus, hematochezia, and tenesmus. Vomiting was common but usually much less frequent and severe than the diarrhea. A variety of stressful factors and abnormal personality traits were identified. CBC and serum biochemistry usually were normal. Fecal examination rarely identified parasites. Rectal cytology specimens were most often normal, but some dogs had increased numbers of neutrophils. The colonic mucosa often was normal during colonoscopy, but decreased numbers of lymphoid follicles were found in some dogs. Histopathologic evaluation found that colonic mucosa was within normal limits. Treatment with soluble fiber (Metamucil) added to a highly digestible diet (Hills i/d) resulted in a very good to excellent response in most dogs. The median initial dosage of Metamucil was 2 tablespoons (2 T) per day. In some dogs, the fiber dosage was reduced or eliminated, or a grocery store brand of dog food was substituted, without causing diarrhea to return.
Can you combine Metamucil in a dog’s food?
Yes, you can combine Metamucil with your dog’s food. However, it is usually advised to mix it with the food instead of just sprinkling it on top.
Metamucil should never be combined with hot liquids. This is because when the medication is added to hot liquids forms a gel quickly, which might cause choking and obstructions in your dog.
Hence, you should ensure that the broth (if you are using kibble) cools down first.
Where Does It Come from?
Psyllium is a natural supplement that comes from the Plantago plant. This shrublike herb can have as many as 15,000 gel-coated seeds. It comes in the form of psyllium husks, with each seed encased in a husk. The seed coating contains a rich substance called hemicellulose mucilage. This helps to absorb water as it swells in the intestine.
Best Way to Use Psyllium for Pets.
Psyllium for dogs and psyllium for cats should be administered slightly differently than how you may take it as a supplement. Most veterinarians recommend that you mix 1/4 to 1 tsp. psyllium seeds with a cup of water and mix together with your pet food. As usual, it is best to start off with smaller doses, and slowly work your way up. In this way, you’ll find the right dosage for your pet.
Again, a veterinary consult always works best, so that you can discuss your pets’ health and current medications to make sure that psyllium is the right supplement to use on your pet.
Using the correct dosage is important, and age, health, and weight need to be considered for an effective and safe dosage. It’s effective to use in all commercial pet food diets if the pet food formula lacks sufficient fiber. When first beginning to use psyllium for pets, you should also monitor their stool to ensure it’s not too loose or that he or she is constipated.