How to Administer Slippery Elm

[MeghanCJohnson99]

Hi All- Polly is still on Tylosin, however she is clearly dealing with a nasty bout of SIBO still-- crazy rumbling noises, flatulence, what seems to be acid reflux/GERD (?) She starts dry-heaving/hacking after eating but doesn't throw up anything. She also licks anything in sight- furniture, her paws, etc. Am I correct that this is a sign of Acid Reflux/GERD?

Based on all of my research on the site, I believe Slippery Elm would be a good way to battle this. Am I right on that? If so, I read that Slippery Elm can interfere with the absorption of other drugs so I'm guessing I should NOT mix it in with her food that contains her Tylosin? If so, how should I give it to her? If mixed in with Yogurt or something, do I have to add enzymes to the mixture? Lastly, should I give it to her before or after meals?

As always, thank you to all of you Angels- Polly & I appreciate you more than you could ever imagine

[Willow&Jen]

Hi! I am new to EPI (began enzymes a week ago). My Willow’s immediately improved with enzymes but then plateaued and last night she had midnight diarrhea for the first time since beginning the enzymes. All that to say I have been suspecting SID and searching the online forum for posts about sloppery elm. Here is a except from a post from Olesia from 2018 (I think) that might help you...

‘SOoo... Also as mentioned in above posts .... Slippery Elm is a great prebiotic....you can give it with Tylan....but SE is a mucilage so it will interfere a little bit with the efficacy of the Tylan antibiotic.... so technically we tell people to give the SLippery Elm a few hours away from any antibiotic..... however.... i personally give both together simply because the interference is very slight AND Tylan antibiotic is not a drug that has to be very exact....on the flip side, if you give Kira any other medicine that is crucial then i would give the Slippery Elm a few hours away from the other meds (for example, i give it to my Izzy with EPI and Tylan.... BUT i have another dog that has Cushings and when i give him his Lysodren drug i do not give him SLippery Elm with it..........)’

The vet tech I spoke with a fee days ago said she wasn’t familiar with it’... so here I am trawling the intereebs for information. Oy.

[Madelon]

Hi - I apologize for the late reply. If your dog is having tummy rumbling and gas you are likely dealing with SID, however, the constant licking and heaving could be several things - possibly a reaction to the enzymes - be sure to mix the enzymes thoroughly with water before adding kibble and use a wet cloth to wipe the muzzle - maybe even feed on a flat plate. For the SID (tummy rumbling, gas, diarrhea) we recommend slippery elm bark powder - as long as you are not using it with a med that is extremely sensitive and life preserving like insulin it won't interfere enough to worry about. I give my boy his slippery elm with his Tylan. Here's the link to dosing for slippery elm https://epi4dogs.com/slippery-elm/.

Just to be sure there's not something else going on - are you supplementing B12? Are you feeding grain free with 4% fiber or less? Are you using 1tsp enzymes per cup of food?

Hang in there, we will do our best to get you on the right path.

[morgansh]

I gave my girl 1/4 scoop of slippery elm powder with her food and it solved all the gurgling.