Is it better to use psyllium husk instead of metronidazole in diarrhea caused by non infectious cause in veterinary medicine because metronidazole is an antibiotic and destroy microflora for weeks?
Psyllium husk and metronidazole serve different purposes, and their appropriateness depends on the underlying cause of the diarrhea. Psyllium husk is a fiber supplement that may help with certain types of diarrhea, while metronidazole is an antibiotic that may be prescribed for specific. infections.
It is better to use the former than the latter. Non-infectious diarrhea is self-limiting and the immune system can easily resolve it.
When diarrhea occurs in the farm, how can we be sure it's Non-ifectious ?
In a farm setting, it is difficult to tell whether a diarrhea episode is of infectious origin or not, even though a proper history of the farm or the case may reveal so.
That said, it is important to bear in mind excessive fiber as may be found in husks may inadvertently cause a diarrhea episode of their own, hence possibly exacerbating the case.
Finally, I consider Metronidazole a super drug that may be used even if the condition is non-infectious to serve as an antibiotic pre-medication to discourage potential secondary bacterial and protozoan infections (duration of use should be minimal to protect the microflora).
Despite its wide application and use over the years, metronidazole has remained very potent and no case of drug resistance with the drug has been brought forward in my knowledge.
For dogs, unless there are signs of bacterial translocation, antimicrobials are not recommended. Psyllium can help improve the consistence of the fesces and can be used in case of chronic or acute diarrhea.
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