This is not an easy story to share, but it’s part of living with a dog. About two weeks ago, Louie swallowed a duck bone and had to undergo emergency abdominal surgery at a veterinary hospital. He was discharged after two days, but once home, his energy was low and he was on a prescription recovery diet. Soon after, his stool became uncontrollable and loose. Thankfully, that phase passed within hours, and by the third day he regained control. However, his stool remained very close to diarrhea.
We went back to see the vet, and Pro-Kolin was mentioned. I told the vet I already had it at home. Pro-Kolin is something I always keep on hand, and this experience reinforced why.
1. Why I Started Keeping Pro-Kolin at Home
The first time I learned about Pro-Kolin was when Louie was just over two months old. I switched his food to Stella & Chewy’s Puppy Dinner Patties, hoping to give him better-quality nutrition. The result was immediate diarrhea. Tests ruled out enteritis, just as I expected.
At first, the vet prescribed a standard probiotic. After a full week with no improvement, Pro-Kolin was recommended instead. The change was dramatic.
Day 1: Louie sniffed it cautiously, then started licking it. It has a liver-like smell, and he accepted it quickly. He was given 2 ml twice a day, 30 minutes before meals. Even after the second dose, his stool already looked different.
Day 2: After a full week of diarrhea, the improvement was obvious and fast.
Since then, whenever his stool looks slightly loose or I suspect digestive stress, I observe for a short time and then give Pro-Kolin at 2 ml.
2. What Pro-Kolin Advanced for Dogs Is
Pro-Kolin is not a medicine. It’s best described as a digestive supplement designed for dogs and cats, with separate formulations for each. The dog version is especially well known for use during diarrhea.
Its main components are probiotics and prebiotics, along with kaolin and pectin. Probiotics help increase beneficial gut bacteria, while prebiotics support their growth. Kaolin and pectin help protect the intestinal lining and reduce inflammation, which is why Pro-Kolin works faster than many food-based approaches when diarrhea occurs.
The product comes in a syringe-style dispenser. This does not mean you inject it. The dial allows precise dosing based on body weight. For dogs under 5 kg, the standard dose is 2 ml twice a day. You turn the dial, remove the cap, and press to dispense.
3. How the Dosage Works in Practice
The dial markings are clear and easy to read. When first opened, it starts at zero. A 2 ml dose is not a large amount. Louie normally receives 2 ml, but after surgery, his vet temporarily recommended 3 ml due to the severity of his diarrhea.
The photo shown here reflects a 2 ml dose. It happened to be the last of the tube, and at that point Louie’s stool had already returned to normal.
4. Louie’s Reaction
Louie clearly expected a treat when he saw me preparing something, and he looked slightly disappointed when it turned out to be Pro-Kolin. Still, he licked it clean without hesitation. A well-mannered dog finishes what’s in the bowl.
Reflection
Pro-Kolin is something I never allow to run out at home. When using it, I pause any other probiotics Louie is taking. In my experience, one dose of Pro-Kolin is often more effective than trying to manage diarrhea with food alone.
Do you have something you use instead of medication when your dog has diarrhea or digestive upset? If you do, I’d love to hear about it.