Constipated dog in pain, not eating. Can I give psyllium husk?

I am very sorry to hear about your puppy. We do occasionally use psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid (such as metamucil) for mild constipation in pets. In a small pet we would normally start with 1 teaspoon (5ml) daily added to food and may increase to several teaspoons if needed. We also sometimes use canned pumpkin for constipation. I would, however, recommend seeking a veterinary exam for your puppy as severe constipation is not normally seen in a dog this age. Also, if your puppy has lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, or pain when having the bowel movement these would be signs to seek veterinary care.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Emma! I can't say that giving a dog psyllium husks is my first line of treatment as it can be a laxative as well as a fiber to firm stool. I would recommend fasting for 12-24 hours. And then feeding a bland diet of boiled chicken or hamburger with rice. Feed 1 cup per 20 lbs per day until normal stools. I would add in a probiotic like Purina Fortiflora. If you have already tried a bland diet and she hasn't responded then I would have your Vet examine her and provide medications. Causes of vomiting and diarrhea are: intestinal parasites, viral or bacterial infections, pancreatitis, toxin ingestion, dietary indiscretion, new food/treat/table food, food allergy/intolerance, IBD, kidney or liver problems and cancer. I hope this helps!

I'm sorry to hear that Buddy is not feeling well. If a dog is very constipated oftentimes they will stop eating because they have an overall feeling of fullness. Since I don't know what other medications Buddy is on it is hard to know what to recommend in this instance. Of course calling or taking him to see your vet that prescribed the medication would be a good starting point. If you are unable to do that at this time some things you can do at home are making sure he's drinking plenty of water (because sometime dehydration can lead to constipation) and trying to get him to eat something with a lot of fiber such as canned pumpkin. If these suggestions aren't working I would take Buddy in to see your vet. Sometimes there is a serious underlying problem to constipstion and you dog may need fluid therapy, an enema and/or a diet change.

While colace can be used to treat constipation in animals, I prefer to use alternative treatments first that may be less likely to cause diarrhea and also can be good long term solutions. Adding psyllium husk to the diet is a great way to increase fiber intake and support healthy bowel movements. You can start with one teaspoon twice a day and gradually increase. I would increase the moisture intake in her food by feeding a predominantly wet diet. You can also consider a prescription high fiber diet.

Poor guy. I am glad that he was able to have a normal bowel movement. Thanks for the update. From here moving forward it is best to add fiber to his diet daily. You can either purchase a Food that has added fiber in it already, such as Royal Canin Gastrointestinal high fiber or the Hill’s Science diet W/D, both prescription brands. Or you can try adding in 1-2 tsp of canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) into his food daily. I hope this helps and best wishes with your pet Maui. Take care.

Administering enemas are best left to your veterinarian. You can add Miralax to his food. Miralax is a very gentle, easy to give treatment for constipation, available over the counter at any pharmacy. The dose of Miralax is 1 tsp per 50 lbs mixed in with food once a day. You can also add a tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil to his food once daily, or add a couple of teaspoons of canned pumpkin (not pie filling) to his food daily. If he is severely constipated right now, I recommend you get him in to see your vet to be debulked.

Your dog probably feels like she needs to poop but there is nothing left in her colon if your veterinarian did a complete enema. At this point I would try offering her a small now easily digestible food like some plain boiled chicken and rice, and see if she eats. She may need additional pain meds for a few days to get through the discomfort being impacted. I would also recommend you put her on a prescription diet that is specifically made for dogs with G.I. issues because it will help her stay regular. You may also want to ask your vet about a medication called lactulose. This medication can be given daily and can help keeps two songs and make them easier to pass. Make sure Coco has plenty of water as well. If she becomes dehydrated it will make it more difficult for her to poop. If she is still straining to poop, starts vomiting, stops wanting to eat, or has diarrhea, then I would recommend taking her back to your vet for a recheck. Otherwise just trying to keep her comfortable, exercising regularly, and drinking plenty of water and hopefully her stools will return to normal. Please let us know if you have any additional questions or concerns. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.