Sucralfate, commonly known by the brand name Carafate®, is
used in the treatment and prevention of oral (mouth), esophagus (food tube), stomach and intestinal ulcers in dogs and cats
.
What is carafate in dogs used for?
Sucralfate (brand name Carafate® Sulcrate®) is used in the
treatment of ulcers occurring in the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine
. It is also used to prevent drug-induced ulcers of the stomach. The medication works by creating a coating or barrier over the ulcer protecting it from stomach acids.
When should I give my dog carafate?
Sucralfate works best when your dog’s stomach is acidic. Therefore, it’s best to give sucralfate
30 minutes prior to any antacid medications that your pet may be receiving
.
When should you give your dog sucralfate?
Ideally, this medication is given
on an empty stomach (at least one hour before feeding or two hours after)
. ** NOTE: Administration of sucralfate within 12-24 hours of endoscopy can make the detection of stomach and upper intestinal ulcers very difficult.
Can you give dogs sucralfate?
Sucralfate is prescribed by veterinarians to dogs and cats
to treat ulcers in the GI tract. It is may also be prescribed as an ulcer preventive to pets that have a history of ulcers and have been prescribed a medication known to cause GI distress.
How can I get my dog to take sucralfate?
The easiest way to give your dog a liquid medication is to
mix it with some canned food
. To ensure that the medication is actually taken, it is best to give a small amount of food that the dog is certain to eat rather than a large portion that the dog may not complete.
Does carafate help with diarrhea in dogs?
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.
How do you treat an ulcer in a dog?
Treatment of stomach ulcers in dogs varies on a case-by-case basis. Treatment heavily depends on the severity of the ulcer.
Some dogs may be able to prescribe an antacid whereas others may need to prep for surgery
. Dogs who have an ulcer that has created a “hole” in their stomach are those who need surgical attention.
Does sucralfate help pancreatitis in dogs?
Antacids, such as omeprazole and sucralfate,
do not have direct benefits on pancreatitis itself
but may be prescribed if there are concurrent gastrointestinal issues.
What are the side effects of sucralfate in dogs?
Constipation is the only common side effect associated with sucralfate administration
. If your dog is prone to constipation, tell your vet.
What happens if you give sucralfate with food?
Stomach and bowel disease—Sucralfate may bind with other foods and drugs which
may cause blockage of the stomach and bowels
.
Will sucralfate stop diarrhea in dogs?
Sucralfate is considered a relative safe medication to give to dogs and has very few side effects.
The most common that occur include constipation, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and hypophosphatemia, which have only been seen in a small percentage of users
.
What antacids can you give a dog?
The most common OTC antacids that work well in dogs are
omeprazole and famotidine
. While these medications are safe for use in dogs, you should always get a recommended dose from your veterinarian.
How do you know if your dog has a stomach ulcer?
In dogs, the most common clinical signs observed in gastric ulceration patients include:
Dark, tarry stools
. Vomiting, with or without signs of bleeding (bright red blood or partially digested blood that appears as “coffee grounds”) Bloody diarrhea.
What do you feed a dog with a stomach ulcer?
- Rice – a highly digestible carbohydrate.
- Lean Meat – a source of protein without fat, fat stimulates stomach acid production, meat can be boiled and excess fat drained off.
- Baby food which is bland and free from substances that are difficult to digest.
