Mary Allen
There are very few human medications that you can give your dog or your vet will even prescribe for your dog.
Omeprazole is one of these drugs. It helps against heartburn, stomach ulcers and stomach inflammation, although it is almost exclusively prescribed for heartburn.
It is important that you give your dog the correct amount of omeprazole, as this is calculated differently than for humans. This article gives you all the information about the acid blocker.
In a nutshell: Can I give my dog omeprazole for heartburn?
Omeprazole is approved for dogs with heartburn and is used as standard. It inhibits the release of gastric acid and thus protects the gastric mucosa and esophagus.
The dose must be agreed with a veterinarian. Also, it is not a drug for long-term use.
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What is omeprazole and how does it work in dogs?
Omeprazole is a drug approved for humans and animals. It acts as a so-called proton pump inhibitor and inhibits the release of gastric acid.
This increases the pH value in the stomach and interferes with the natural regulation of acid production. It is therefore not suitable for long-term use, but it can have a corrective effect and put it back on the right track, so to speak.
When is omeprazole recommended?
Omeprazole is prescribed for dogs almost exclusively for heartburn. It has very few side effects, even at higher doses.
However, omeprazole is not a drug that should be taken long-term. In the short term, it’s good for relieving symptoms and relieving your dog’s pain, but it’s not a preventive measure.
Are there any side effects?
Side effects are rare with omeprazole. Only some dogs are prone to vomiting, slight abdominal pain or flatulence.
Long-term use is generally not advisable, since omeprazole can then have a tumor-forming effect. However, short-term use is usually harmless.
Dosing of Omeprazole
The dose depends on many factors such as age, weight and race. It is roughly around 0.7 mg/kg live weight, which is taken once a day over a period of 4 to 8 weeks.
Important:
The dose for omeprazole must be determined by an experienced veterinarian. Under no circumstances should you give your dog a dose calculated for humans or a self-estimated dose.
The right dose and intake of medication is important for successful treatment. For all questions you can therefore contact Dr. Sam book an online consultation and talk to experienced veterinarians there about the right care for your dog.
How long and how often can I give my dog Omeprazole?
You give your dog omeprazole right before or during feeding and preferably in the morning, as the active ingredient does not work well on an empty stomach.
Your vet will likely prescribe omeprazole for your dog for four to eight weeks. You should also not exceed eight weeks, while you can stop taking it earlier than four weeks if your dog improves quickly.
If your dog is prone to heartburn in general, over time you will also find out what period of time is ideal for him.
Experiences with omeprazole: that’s what other dog parents say
Omeprazole is generally very popular with dog parents because it works quickly and reliably. They rarely report side effects such as diarrhea or vomiting.
However, many people are unsure about the right dosage, since the dose for children often differs greatly from the dose for dogs, even though both have about the same weight.
For many, changing their diet at the same time has been very helpful. On the one hand, it is often recommended to switch to light food for the first time – often accompanied by various recipes ranging from boiled carrot porridge to refined chicken soup!
On the other hand, many critical questions relate to food allergies, which trigger the heartburn in the first place, for which the vet then prescribes omeprazole. One wonders whether omeprazole or simply the change in diet actually solved the problem.
Nevertheless, omeprazole is very often recommended as a short-term help for dogs suffering from reflux, exemplary with the mention that it should only be taken after consultation with the veterinarian.
Alternatives to omeprazole
Omeprazole is the most common and safest heartburn medication. However, if your dog does not tolerate it or there are reasons against taking it, your veterinarian can prescribe a different active ingredient.
Reasons against omeprazole are if you have liver disease or an allergy, or if you are looking for a long-term medication for chronic heartburn.
More medication
Other commonly prescribed gastric protectors for dogs include pantoprazole and formerly ranitidine.
Pantoprazole is an acid blocker similar to omeprazole and affects the pH of the stomach. However, some dogs are allergic to the active ingredient, which is why veterinarians are more likely to use omeprazole.
Medicines containing ranitidine are suspected of containing carcinogenic substances. As such, it is no longer prescribed and you should dispose of old supplies accordingly.
Conclusion
Omeprazole is generally a safe and recommended tip if your dog is suffering from acid reflux. It is important that you do not give it long-term and always check the dose with your veterinarian.
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