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Sucralfate for Dogs

Sucralfate for Dogs

Updated on February 03, 2023
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Reviewed by Dr. Whitney Miller
DVM, MBA, DACVPM

What is it? | What is it for? | What does it do | Can I give it with food? | Shop

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Veterinarians prescribe different treatments for digestive discomfort depending on the underlying cause of the issue and its severity. If your dog is experiencing abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting or bloody stools due to ulcers, your veterinarian might prescribe sucralfate medication. Read on for information on this drug and why it could be the key to relieving your pet’s digestive discomfort.

What is sucralfate?

Sucralfate medication is primarily used to treat ulcers. If ulcers are the underlying cause of your pet’s digestive trouble, sucralfate might be just what they need to help lessen their symptoms and allow their digestive tract to heal.

Ulcers are sores that develop in the lining of the digestive tract. When they’re irritated or inflamed, they can cause:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Cramps
  • Acid reflux
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation and dark or bloody stool

Medications like sucralfate for dogs can help relieve symptoms in the short term and aid the healing of ulcers that cause these symptoms.

Sucralfate works by binding to an ulcer and forming a protective coating over it. This barrier helps prevent the ulcer from becoming irritated, which can give your pet some relief from symptoms. While your pet enjoys relief from their digestive issues, the ulcer is protected and can start to heal.

Your veterinarian will prescribe sucralfate medication following examination and diagnosis of a condition appropriate for this treatment. Your veterinarian will need to determine if an ulcer is the cause of your pet’s digestive issues, and they will also need to prescribe the correct dosage of medicine.

What is the drug sucralfate used for in dogs?

If your veterinarian determines that the underlying cause of your dog’s digestive distress is an ulcer, they might prescribe sucralfate for dogs. Sucralfate medication coats ulcers with a protective barrier, allowing them to heal while helping to relieve pain and discomfort. If your dog has a history of ulcers, sucralfate for dogs may be prescribed as a preventive measure, particularly if they’re already taking a medication whose side effects include an increased chance of developing ulcers. When used in this way, sucralfate helps protect the digestive tract from developing painful ulcers, which can prevent the symptoms described above from occurring at all.

Sucralfate is administered orally and is available in both tablet and liquid forms. Sometimes it’s recommended that sucralfate tablets be crushed and mixed with water, but of course you should check with your vet first. The drug is typically given every 6 to12 hours, and a regimen may last up to 4 to 8 weeks. Your dog’s symptoms might start to improve within weeks or even days of beginning a regimen of sucralfate medication. Still, you should keep giving your dog sucralfate as long as your veterinarian advises to ensure your dog’s ulcers have enough time to heal.

Sucralfate side effects in dogs are very rare. Occasionally, providing sucralfate for dogs’ diarrhea can have the unintended effect of causing constipation, but this is uncommon. In most cases, sucralfate minimizes gastric distress caused by ulcers with no discernible negative side effects.

Can I give my dog sucralfate with food?

Sucralfate works by coating the ulcer in your pet’s digestive tract and protecting it during digestion. It needs to be in your pet’s system before they start eating. Because of this, sucralfate should be given on an empty stomach, anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours before a meal. Your veterinarian will give you specific instructions. While it’s admittedly easier to give pets medicine that’s hidden in food, it’s important to let sucralfate do its job and coat your pet’s ulcer before they dig into their dinner.

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