My dog is on antibiotics and constipated. How long can she go without a BM?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. If Buzz has not had a bowel movement in 3 days, this is likely because his intestines are still normalizing stool and developing a healthy stool after the diarrhea. It can take time for stool to return to normal after having diarrhea. Up to 5 days is typically the average I see before normal stool resumes after multiple episodes of diarrhea. If he is not actively trying to defecate with nothing coming out, it is likely that is is not constipated and just needs more time for the stool to be re-established. You can try and add pumpkin (canned) to the diet and see if this helps establish normal bowel movements. I would add 2tbsp of canned pumpkin to each meal. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hi, and thanks for your question. Mild constipation that lasts no more than two days can usually be resolved at home with increased fiber and hydration. Canned pumpkin (not pie filling, just the straight-up pumpkin) or liquid paraffin can be used, and should work straight away in the following 8 hours from administration. DO NOT TRY to give an enema as it could be dangerous and cause electrolyte imbalances and colon perforation. If constipation lasts more than 24 hours from administration of those or 48 hours in general, a check up at your local vet is required. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Not pooping for one day is not really a problem. They can go quite a few days without pooping and it is not necessarily a problem. The antibiotics can slow down the intestines which is probably why she is not pooping. Do not worry about it unless she seems to be trying to poop but nothing is coming out.

Hi there and thanks for your post! Dogs should defecate at least once every day. If it has been 1 and 1/2 days since Luna's last bowel movement but is still eating and drinking normally, she may be a little constipated. You can try adding a tablespoon or two of plain canned pumpkin to her food twice daily for an extra fiber boost to help move things along. If that doesn't help, I would recommend Luna sees her veterinarian to rule out other causes of constipation such as a parasitic infection or other cause. I hope this helps and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I would definitely give Buksi another 24 hours. Any surgery, especially abdominal surgery, can cause an ileus, or slowing of gut movement. If not watched, it can lead to constipation, but I would not worry yet. If she is eating, you can give her about 1 teaspoon of canned pumpkin ( not pie filling ) a couple of times a day. The fiber will act like a natural laxative. If she has not had a BM by Tuesday evening, call your veterinarian. They may recommend a stronger laxative. Take care.

Hello. You can feed Nicky a tablespoon of canned pumpkin ( not pie filling ) with each meal. Try & get her to take in more fluids too, by offering broths or soup stock in addition to fresh water. If Nicky refuses to eat, is straining constantly to have a bowel movement or vomiting, please have her seen as soon as possible. If she is truly constipated, only your veterinarian will be able to help her. Hope all is well & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! She may be constipated. You can start by trying to use something to try to relieve her if she has constipation. You could start giving her 2 tablespoons of canned pumpkin with her meals which may help with cases of mild constipation. If that does not improve this, have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment though it is likely that this will resolve. Good luck and have a great day!