Pepto Bismol

Epi4Dogs Foundation Inc.’s mission is the advancement of science and education relating to EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency), yielding useful insights and positive outcomes in better managing EPI in dogs and cats. Our goals are to support and/or collaborate with veterinary EPI research and researchers, and to promote EPI awareness by educating the general public, pet owners, pet organizations, rescue and shelter organizations, veterinary schools and veterinarians.
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Tuckaboo Pam
Member
Posts: 1742
Country: United States
State: Florida
Pet name: Tucker
My name: Pam H.

Pepto Bismol

Post by Tuckaboo Pam » 18 Mar 2025, 18:10

Hey everybody. I have to share something that happened to our malti-poo, who does not have EPI.

In the past I have thrown it out there, that when our IBD/IBS Ruthie starts having the squirts, a touch of Pepto-Bismol clears it right up. The vet said it was OK, and I used it successfully for years. I have given it to our other dogs, too.

About a month ago, Ruthie had seizures, and of course it was a Saturday night, and we ended up at the emergency vet. My daughter drove us, and she was very upset about the blood on Ruthie's beard, but it was actually Pepto-Bismol that I had given her earlier in the day. There was no conclusion reached as to what caused the seizure. Maybe a brain tumor. She was on phenobarbital for a couple of weeks, but she was miserable & we weaned her off it. Ruthie is 12, she was a puppy mill rescue, and we've had her for 11 years.

Yesterday morning Ruthie started doing the downward dog, which is my signal to give her a tiny bit of Pepto-Bismol. Mind you, she hadn't had any since the seizure Saturday. Within a few hours, she was seizing again, and while I was wiping her face I noticed the pink spots on her beard. A light bulb went off, and while I know this is not a scientific study, my Google search "can Pepto-Bismol cause seizures in dogs?" led me to the answer "yes".

I am convinced that, even though she was OK with taking it for years, something changed and caused her seizures, & I will never give Pepto-Bismol to any of my dogs again.

I feel a responsibility to share this with the forum, because I have stated that I used it in the past. Thanks for listening.----Pam
Tucker was a shepherd mix--- TLI 1.3, Folate 9.7, Cobalamin 666, Lipase 38. Diane's Enzymes 4 t/day, B12 1 capsule/day, and Tylan 1/16 teaspoon/day. Taste of the Wild High Prairie, 4 c/day. 60 to 85 pounds! Tucker succumbed to hemangiosarcoma Nov. 2023. I will always, always miss my sweet big boy.

Now there's Nina. 5 year old GSD. We have had this heart healer since April 2024. TLI 1.0 B12 323. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream 4c/day, 4 teaspoons 6X Enzyme Diane/day, 1 Wonderlabs B12/day. 2 T cottage cheese a.m., 1 boiled egg p.m.
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Chance
Member
Posts: 759
Country: Canada
Pet name: Chance
My name: Andrea

Re: Pepto Bismol

Post by Chance » 19 Mar 2025, 21:03

Wow. I did not know that Pepto could cause seizures. It's good to know. It's something I actually never have on hand, but good to know. I'll definitely avoid it in my dogs.

Hope the little one is OK, and has no more seizures!
Chance was my 4 legged soul mate. My mobility assist service dog. Pure yellow Lab, 75 lbs. After struggling with weight all his life, finally dx with EPI. cTLI < 1, folate and B12 very low. Fed Raw. Maintained with Creon, Garden of Life probiotic and intermittent calcium bentonite clay. (Tylosin was a big nightmare for him)!

Rylee is Chance's successor; also pure Yellow/Fox red Lab. Started with symptoms at 8 weeks. At 6 months of age, also prescribed Creon due to suspected EPI (due to passing large amounts of undigested food). Currently suspected of blockages in pancreatic ducts. She is maintained VERY nicely on Creon and probiotics. Also raw fed.
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Eddiespaghetti
Member
Posts: 512
Country: United States
State: California
Pet name: Eddie
My name: Jeremy

Re: Pepto Bismol

Post by Eddiespaghetti » 21 Mar 2025, 16:08

Too much bismuth can definitely cause seizures in people and dogs. It can also cause ketosis in rare occasions. If it's for diarrhea I prefer Imodium.
Edit: it can cause acidosis, not ketosis. Ketosis isn't necessarily bad
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