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Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)Canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a condition in which the stomach and/or intestine is chronically infiltrated by inflammatory cells. It is one of the
most common causes of gastrointestinal problems in dogs.
IBD is an autoimmune disease - the dog's immune system literally invades and attacks its own digestive organs. Specifically, certain inflammatory cells (e.g.
Lymphocytes and Plasmacytes) and various chemicals accumulate, infiltrate, and damage the stomach, small intestine, and/or large intestine.
The cause of canine inflammatory bowel disease is unclear. For some dogs, it may be because of their diet - some unidentified dietary protein may cause an immune
response in the gastrointestinal tract. Other factors, such as genetics, bacterial infections, and abnormalities of the immune system, may be responsible.
Canine IBD tends to affect older dogs (8 years of age and older), although it can occur in younger dogs as well.
Symptoms of Canine IBDSymptoms of this condition depend on the location of the GI system is responding to the immune attacks. When the stomach and small intestines are involved, vomiting is more common. When the colon is involved, the dog will have painful bowel movements and diarrhea. The stools sometimes contain blood and may or may not contain mucus. In severe cases, some dogs with IBD may also suffer from:
Diagnosis of Canine IBDIn addition to a complete physical examination, blood and fecal tests are conducted to rule out other possible causes that can result in similar symptoms (e.g. giardia, poisoning, bacterial infections, worms). If other possible causes are ruled out, an endoscopic biopsy can be done to determine if the dog indeed has IBD. In this procedure, a sedative or light anesthetic is given to the dog. An endoscope is then inserted into the pet's gastrointestinal tract and tiny pieces of tissue are removed for a microscopic examination. TopConventional Treatment for Canine IBD
Canine inflammatory bowel disease is usually treated with medications (e.g. corticosteroids such as prednisone; antibiotics such as Metronidazole; immunosuppressive
agents such as Azathioprine). Antidiarrheal drugs and/or antispasmodic drugs are also sometimes used to suppress diarrhea and/or vomiting.
In addition, dietary change is very often part of the treatment. This is done in two ways. First, the dog is given a food that contains a protein source that the dog
has never had before. If that is not effective, a high-fiber diet is tried. Multiple diets may have to be tried before the dog's condition improves. This means a lot of
time and patience on the part of the owner is required.
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Natural Remedies for Canine IBDIf diagnosed at its early stage, canine inflammatory bowel disease can be treated by using natural remedies such as supplements and herbs. Even in severe cases, natural remedies can still be used in conjunction with conventional medications. The natural remedies can speed up recovery, enabling lower dosage of harsh medications to be used, thus limiting the seriousness of side-effects.Supplements for Canine Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseThe following natural supplements are effective in supporting digestion and moderating immune system activities: Digestive Enzymes Inflammatory bowel disease results in improper food digestion and nutrient absorption. Digestive enzymes can be added to the dog's diet to help the digestive system work more properly. Probiotics The normal acid balance in the GI tracts of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease is upset - the "friendly" bacteria are often not present due to intestinal cell damage and overgrowth of harmful bacteria. Adding probiotics to the dog's diet can help the GI tract to heal. Glutamine IBD causes intestinal cell damage resulting in scarring. Glutamine, which is an amino acid, can help rebuild the intestinal lining so that it functions better. TopHerbal Remedies for Canine Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseHerbs can be used to reduce inflammation and alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease such as vomiting and diarrhea. Anti-inflammatory and demulcent herbs (herbs that soothe the mucous membranes) are especially effective. For example:
Aromatherapy for Canine Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseDogs suffering from IBD often have painful intestinal cramps and spasms. Essential oils that have antispasmodic properties such as chamomile and peppermint can be used in a diffuser. Let the dog breathe in the scent for 30 minutes or so, a few times a day, to relieve his discomfort caused by spasms.References D. Hamilton, Homeopathic Care for Cats and Dogs (North Atlantic Books, 1999). R. Kidd, Dr. Kidd's Guide to Herbal Dog Care (Storey Publishing, 2000). Pitcairn and Pitcairn, Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (Rodale, 2005). M.L. Wulff-Tilford and G.L. Tilford, Herbs for Pets (Bowtie Press, 1999). A.D. Shojai, New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats (Rodale Press, Inc., 1999). TOP of Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) |
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