Kaolin and Pectin

Kaolin and pectin are combined in some gastrointestinal preparations for symptomatic management of diarrhea. Kaolin is an aluminum silicate adsorbent, while pectin is a plant-derived polysaccharide with water-binding and gel-forming properties. Their principal veterinary role is supportive modification of fecal consistency; evidence for improvement in the course of diarrheal disease is limited.

Group

Adsorbent antidiarrhoeal

Mechanism of Action

Kaolin adsorbs some substances within the intestinal lumen, while pectin binds water and can form a protective, gel-like mixture with intestinal contents. These physical effects may alter stool consistency. Effective binding of clinically important enterotoxins has not been consistently demonstrated, so toxin neutralization is not an established explanation for clinical benefit. The action is local within the gastrointestinal tract.

Dose Rates

Dogs

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Symptomatic diarrhoea	Reference only	PO		1-2 mL/kg every 2-6 hours of the specified kaolin-pectin suspension. This is a two-ingredient suspension; do not treat the volume as a dose of either ingredient alone.
Enterotoxin-associated diarrhoea	Reference only	PO		2-5 mL/kg every 1-6 hours is a historical kaolin-pectin volume regimen; rehydrate and investigate the cause rather than relying on an adsorbent. A separate 10-15 g/kg kaolin four-times-daily statement does not establish combination dosing.

Cats

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Symptomatic diarrhoea	Reference only	PO		1-2 mL/kg every 2-6 hours of the specified kaolin-pectin suspension. This is a two-ingredient suspension; do not treat the volume as a dose of either ingredient alone.

Horses

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Symptomatic diarrhoea	Reference only	PO		Adults: 180-300 mL every 2-3 hours. Foals and calves: 90-120 mL every 2-3 hours.

Cattle

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Symptomatic diarrhoea	Reference only	PO		Adults: 180-300 mL every 2-3 hours. Foals and calves: 90-120 mL every 2-3 hours.

Ferrets

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Symptomatic diarrhoea	Reference only	PO		1-2 mL/kg three or four times daily.

Guinea pigs

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Symptomatic diarrhoea	Reference only	PO		0.2 mL/animal three or four times daily.

Pigs

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Symptomatic diarrhoea	Reference only	PO		0.5-2 US fluid ounces every 2-4 hours of the specified veterinary suspension; reassess if not improving within 48 hours.

Sheep

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Symptomatic diarrhoea	Reference only	PO		3-4 fluid ounces every 2-3 hours; confirm the actual product and volume measure.

Birds

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Symptomatic diarrhoea	Reference only	PO		2 mL/kg two to four times daily. Alternative bird-size instructions use 0.5 mL for medium birds or 1 mL for large birds 1-4 times daily; drop/dropper measures are device-specific.

Indications

Short-term symptomatic management of acute nonspecific diarrhea in selected veterinary patients, aimed at improving stool consistency; evidence for reduced fluid loss or shorter illness duration is limited.

Contraindications

Identify the actual product ingredients; bismuth-subsalicylate products are not kaolin-pectin.

Interactions

Adsorption may reduce uptake of other oral drugs; give other drugs at least 30 minutes beforehand.

Adverse effects

Adverse effects are uncommon with genuine kaolin-pectin.
Salicylate-containing substitutes have different toxicity risks.

Toxicity

Assess the full product composition after excess ingestion; salicylate toxicity is a separate concern for substituted products.

Preparations

Preparation	Form	Strength	Route
Kaolin-pectin veterinary suspension Two-active suspension: 5.8 g kaolin plus 0.139 g pectin per 30 mL. No component-based calculation is assigned.	Oral Liquid	kaolin 5.8 g / 30 mL + pectin 0.139 g / 30 mL	PO

Monitoring and Administration

Treat dehydration and the underlying cause of diarrhoea independently of stool consistency.

Do not assume Kaopectate contains kaolin and pectin; modern formulations may contain bismuth subsalicylate.

Additional equine alternatives are 2-4 quarts per 450 kg twice daily or 1 fluid ounce per 8 kg three or four times daily; foals 3-4 fluid ounces every 6-8 hours. Adult cattle label volume is 4-10 US fluid ounces, calves 2-3, repeated every 2-4 hours. These apply to their specified suspension and are not equivalent to every kaolin-pectin product. Conflicting printed grains/grams preparation quantities are not used to infer a new concentration.