chloelogoa

Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

 talalogoa

Currently, the cause of canine IBD is unknown, but is believed to have an autoimmune basis.  Genetics, nutrition, infectious agents and abnormalities of the immune system can all be underlying factors.  There are
various forms of IBD which includes such things  as Lymphocytic-Plasmacytic Enteritis (LPE), Eosinophilic Enteritis,  Regional Granulomatous enteritis which is a rare form of IBD, Suppurative or Neutrophilic, colitis, Sibo, Enteritis, and Idiopathic Colitis, all of which are determined  by the type of cell causing the inflammation and the area of the intestine that is inflamed. The most common is Lymphocytic-Plasmacytic, second most common is Eosinophilic, then regional granulomatous enteritis which is a rare form of IBD.  Symptoms  vary with the area of the intestines affected and can include chronic diarrhea, vomiting, bloody stools, abdominal pain, and weight loss.  There currently is no cure for IBD.  However, strict diet changes and anti-inflammatory drugs will help in the control and stabilization of the dog.  Early detection is of the utmost importance and can be very difficult because the symptoms can mimic other diseases.  A positive diagnosis usually occurs after performing an endoscopy exam with biopsy.


IBD: A Real Pain in the Rear
Irritable Bowel Disease

IBD: A Real Pain in the Rear!

Shawn Messonnier DVM
http://petcarenaturally.com

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the most common cause of gastrointestinal problems in dogs and cats. IBD, often incorrectly referred to as irritable bowel disease (which is extremely rare in pets but very common in people,) is often misdiagnosed and leads to chronic problems including vomiting, diarrhea, and/or weight loss. This article will discuss this very common pet problem and offer suggestions on natural therapies.

Clinical Signs
The exact cause of IBD is not known. What is known is that it is an immune disease in which the pet literally attacks its own digestive organs. White blood cells, antibodies, and various chemicals accumulate and damage the stomach, small intestine, and/or large intestine. Since an important part of therapy centers on finding an appropriate diet, it is speculated that at least for some pets, some often unidentified dietary antigen (foreign protein) causes an immune response in the gastrointestinal tract.

Inflammatory bowel disease can occur in pets of any age, but tends to affect pets in their middle to later years of life (8 years of age and older.) Clinical signs vary, depending upon the location of the immune response. Pets with disease of the stomach and upper intestinal tract (small intestines) typically have vomiting, whereas those with immune lesions in their lower intestinal tract (colon) usually have diarrhea. The diarrhea causes loose feces that may or may not contain mucus and variable amounts of bright red blood. Some pets with IBD manifest as chronic weight loss. It's important for owners to understand that pets can have any combination of vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss, or may only have 1 or 2 signs.

Early diagnosis is important so that the proper treatment can be given to the pet. Undiagnosed IBD is uncomfortable for the pet due to cramping. Without proper diagnosis and treatment. IBD can actually turn into gastrointestinal cancer (lymphoma,) especially in cats. Diseases that can be confused with IBD include parasites (usually easily diagnosed and treated) and “food allergy,” which is actually very rare in pets. Despite what some veterinarians say, no pet should simply be diagnosed with a “sensitive stomach.” I've seen too many pets suffer and die with IBD when owners were told that their breeds of pets had “sensitive stomachs” and were improperly treated.

Inflammatory bowel disease is easily diagnosed by endoscopic biopsy. In this procedure, a sedative or light anesthetic is given to the pet. The doctor introduces a tube called an endoscope into the pet's gastrointestinal tract and removes tiny pieces of tissue for a microscopic examination.

Conventional Treatment
Once correctly diagnosed, IBD is routinely treated with high doses of corticosteroids such as prednisone. After 2-4 weeks the amount of drug is slowly reduced to a dose which prevents clinical signs from returning. For pets that do not respond to prednisone, other more potent chemotherapy drugs such as Imuran may be needed. Doctors also often prescribe an antibiotic such as metronidazole or tylosin. Both of these drugs can help reduce inflammation but also treat secondary bacterial overgrowth which is quite common in pets with Inflammatory bowel disease.

Even in my integrative practice, I routinely use prednisone for my more severe cases so that I can quickly reduce all of the inflammation that is occurring in the pet's stomach or intestines. Once the pet has stabilized and shown improvement, the pet is carefully weaned off of the steroids and in most cases can do very well simply on an individual regimen of natural therapies.

Using a More Natural Approach
IBD is actually a disease which responds very nicely to natural therapies in most cases. In my practice, most pets do not need to take any medication and do well on the appropriate diet and supplements. For those pets which require drugs such as prednisone, I have been able to wean them to a very low dose (which will never cause side effects) given 1-2 times weekly.

Finding the proper diet is an important part of therapy for the pet with IBD. Initially, a diet with a novel protein which the pet has not eaten before (such as rabbit or venison) is used. Once the disease is stabilized, I prefer to wean the pet onto the best natural diet the pet's system can tolerate. Your holistic veterinarian can work with you to find the best diet for your pet.

Supplements are the mainstay of therapy for the pet with Inflammatory bowel disease. A number of supplements including herbs and homeopathics can be prescribed. Because each pet is unique, it may take some trial and error to find the best combinations that allow your pet to be weaned off of conventional medications.

In my practice, at a minimum I prescribe supplements containing the following ingredients.

Enzymes -
Because IBD results in improper digestion of food and absorption of nutrients, we must help the pet's damaged GI tract do its job. Adding extra enzymes to the diet is necessary in order for the stomach and intestines to properly process the pet's diet.

Probiotics -
Probiotics are normal bacteria and yeast that reside in a healthy GI tract. They are often not present in patients with IBD due to intestinal cell damage and overgrowth of harmful bacteria. Replacing the healthy bacteria and yeasts is critical in allowing the GI tract to heal.

Glutamine -
This is an amino acid which has a number of health benefits, one of which is to serve as food or fuel for the damaged intestinal cells. By feeding the intestinal cells we encourage healing and proper function.

Several helpful products to consider include Acetylator and Fast Balance-GI, (all are made by VetriScience).

IBD is an important and common gastrointestinal problem in dogs and cats. Proper and early diagnosis is very important in allowing the pet to heal. It responds very well to natural therapies; in most cases, chronic use of drug therapy is not needed.

Copyright 2007, Paws & Claws Animal Hospital, All Right Reserved
reprinted with kind permission from Shawn Messonnier

Shawn Messonnier DVM
 author, the award-winning The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats.
Join over 5 million satellite radio listeners and listen to Dr. Shawn each week on his award-winning show, Dr. Shawn-The Natural Vet, on Martha Stewart Radio Sirius 112, Tuesday night from 7-9 PM CST.
www.pettogethers.net/healthypet www.petcarenaturally.com
Check out Dr. Shawn's new book, The Natural Vet's Guide to Preventing and Treating Cancer in Dogs, NOW AVAILABLE!   To get Dr. Shawn's weekly newsletter, go to to www.petcarenaturally.com  and sign up.
SEE..Dr. Shawn on You Tube..go to www.youtube.com, click on categories, then pets, then search for shawnvet to see my latest video!

*******************
back to top

Irritable Bowel Disease

by Darleen Rudnick, Pet Nutritionist
www.purelypets.com

Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in pets. It is a term that describes a chronic inflammation disorder of the small and/or large intestine.

When suffering from IBD, the body's normal rhythmic contractions of the digestive tract become irregular and uncoordinated. This interferes with the normal movement of food and waste material, and leads to the accumulation of mucus and toxins in the intestine. This accumulated material sets up a partial obstruction of the digestive tract, trapping gas and stool, which in turn causes bloating, distention, and constipation.

In general, the cause of most cases is unknown, but contributing factors that have been identified are poor eating habits, stress, food allergies, overuse of antibiotics, bacterial and viral infections and parasites. A blockage should not be ruled out as many times pets will chew and swallow toys, socks, and other objects.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Disease

 Constipation. During episodes of constipation, stools may be hard, small, pebble-like, and difficult to eliminate.

 Diarrhea. The diarrhea is usually in small volumes, but frequent. The morning bowel movement may be normal, but followed by successively loose bowel movements throughout the day. In some cases, constipation and diarrhea alternate.

 Abdominal pain. Pain can vary in severity from mild to severe.

 Mucus in the stool.

 Nausea, sometimes vomiting.

 Flatulence (gas)

 Bloating

 Anorexia

 Intolerances to certain foods

Because IBD is triggered by many factors, it is important to have a thorough examine done by a veterinarian. If you decide to seek natural methods, Purely Pets recommends a consultation with our on-staff nutritionist.

A consultation will include a personalized diet and holistic program suggestions, all custom-tailored to your pet's personal needs. This is particularly imperative with pets suffering from IBD.

The nutritional program and other recommendations outlined in this article are designed for pets that have been diagnosed with IBD, but does not apply to every pet.

Treatment of Irritable Bowel Disease

Feed What is Right for Your Pet
The most important thing to remember when choosing a food for your IBD pet is to choose a food that is right for YOUR pet, not what other people think is right. Raw diets are great, and home cooking is wonderful, but if your pet doesn't do well on it, don't feel guilty.

Some pets suffering from IBD do very well on a BARF (raw) diet, others do well on a home cooked diet and others only do well on dry or canned food. Every case is different, so it is a matter of experimenting and sticking to what works best. There IS NOT one diet that works for every IBD pet.

However, when choosing a dry food avoid synthetic preservatives such as butylated hydroxyanisol (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), propyl gallate, propylene glycol and ethoxyquin. Avoid animal fats (found in many pet foods), high fat treats, processed foods, spicy foods, sugar and diary products. These foods may aggravate an IBD problem.

Eating the wrong combination of foods can trigger symptoms. For example, when proteins and grains are eaten together, the grains start to ferment and cause gas. Also, as the combination slows the process down, proteins start to putrefy and cause toxins to be released into the system. Therefore, you may need to eliminate grains.

In many cases, feeding a very simple diet helps. Diets that seem to be beneficial are chicken and one vegetable, or ground meat and one vegetable. Some pets only do well when brown or white rice is added to the diet. In other cases a dry food containing beet pulp is beneficial because it hardens the stool.

Structure Meal Times
Feed small, frequent meals instead of one large one. Offer all food at room temperature for best digestion.

Recommended feeding schedule:

Breakfast: High quality pet food, raw or homemade food.
Lunch: High quality pet food, raw or homemade food.
Midday: Light Snack. Dinner: High quality pet food, raw or homemade food.
Before bed: Light snack.

Use Bottled Water
Toxic metals such as lead, copper, mercury, and aluminum are often found in drinking water and some pets are very sensitive to these metals.

Rule out a Parasite Infestation
A parasite infestation is a very common problem with dogs and cats. Symptoms of an infestation are -- vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, inability to absorb nutrients, bad breath, skin problems, chronic ear infections, yeast infections, foul odor to the stool, and many other minor and major ailments.

GIARDIA does cause Irritable Bowel Disease!
Giardia is a gastrointestinal infection caused by a microscopic parasite called Giardia lamblia. This is a common parasite causing gastrointestinal illness. It is found in the stools of many animals, including rodents, dogs, cats, cattle, and wild animals.

A Giardia infection can be acquired when your pet ingests food or water that has been contaminated with the parasite. It then multiplies in the small intestine. The infection can also be spread person-to-person when hands, which are contaminated with an infected person's stool, are brought in contact with the mouth. Swallowing as few as ten parasites can cause the infection.

Symptoms of Giardia are diarrhea, foul, greasy stools, abdominal cramps, bloating, increased gas, weakness, and weight loss. These symptoms are very similar to IBD symptoms so it is essential that your pet be tested for this parasite. This test is normally not done by your veterinarian, so you need to request it. This simple and inexpensive test can save you hundreds of dollars and invasive testing.

Giardia is usually diagnosed through a laboratory examination of a stool sample. Your veterinarian will forward the stool sample to a laboratory that will use a microscope to look for the parasite. Several stool samples need to be examined to detect the parasite.

If your pet is diagnosed with Giardia, always thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water before meals, before preparing food, after having a bowel movement, after changing diapers, and after playing with your pet.

Eliminate Toxins in the House, Yard and on your Pet
Because IBD can be triggered by stress, it is important to put as little stress on the body as possible by avoiding toxins that may deplete the immune system.

Avoid the following:
Carpet powders.
Air fresheners.
Plastic bowls - All plastics release some undetectable fumes, especially when heated. This out-gassing means the fumes can pass into the foods that are served or stored in the bowl or container. Stainless steel or glass bowls are recommended.
Cheap ceramic bowls - Cause the same problem as described above.
Fumes from all bathroom cleaners.
Fumes from bleach.
Fumes from dusting products.
Toxic flea products - If the product states "Hazardous To Humans And Domestic Animals", it is hazardous to your pet.
Toxic shampoos.
Toxic flea collars.
Paint fumes.
Paint chips from lead based paint.
Rawhides - Many are dipped in a solution of salt and bleach
Cheap painted pet toys
Red food dye.
Ethoxyquin.

Supplement
Purely Pets does not recommend discontinuing traditional medications cold turkey or discontinuing them at all. This is YOUR decision based on how the following program works. We highly recommend you work closely with your veterinarian.

Although medications can be very effective, some may cause side effects that can eventually lead to other symptoms. Many pet owners are now looking into other methods of treating IBD. A more natural approach is outlined below.

Supplement Recommendations:
Giardia & Parasitic Cleanse
Provides an excellent compound containing bitter principles which activate digestive secretions. Can be used safely to clean out the colon, when parasites are suspected as a trigger.

Digest Zymez
Since IBD can be triggered by an inadequate amount of digestive enzymes, adding them to your pet's diet cannot be stressed enough. A lack of enzymes can lead to decreased energy, excessive gas, allergies, poor skin condition, loose stool, consumption of their own stool, foul breath and/or body odor. Without digestive enzymes even the most nutritious foods will not be of any use to the body.

Digest Zymez are capsulated enzymes which can be fed orally or opened and mixed directly into the food. This product reduces intestinal gas and cramping and is very helpful with Irritable Bowel Disease.

Yucca Intensive
Yucca is a natural steroidal supplement containing steroid saponins which are nature's most powerful anti-inflammatory agents. This product reduces pain without gastric side effects and is effective for arthritis, bone and joint problems, soft tissue swelling and digestive and bowel problems.

Mega Pet Daily
This is our most outstanding multiple nutritional supplement. Higher potency, easy to feed gel cap provides daily support of important vitamins and minerals, including the A's, B's, Selenium, Chromium, Zinc, and Choline, all the vital nutrients for optimum immunity and health.

Exercise Your Pet Daily
Exercise increases the efficiency of the immune system and helps with muscle development, digestion and overall health. A well-conditioned body will work and perform better and increase the ability to carry blood and oxygen to muscles. Exercising burns fat and increases your pet's metabolism.

Be sure your pet gets at least an hour of exercise everyday. However, age, health and weather should be taken into consideration when exercising. Do NOT over exercise older pets, or pets suffering from hypoglycemia, epilepsy, heart problems, during bouts of diarrhea, etc. Pets suffer from exhaustion just as humans do.

Conclusion and Tips for Treating Irritable Bowel Disease

 Feed what is right for your pet.

 During bouts of diarrhea, Pedialyte and baby food may help. Plain yogurt replenishes the intestinal tract with friendly bacteria and does help in some cases. Rice can be helpful for bouts of diarrhea, but this is not true in all cases.

 Large breeds that eat off the floor from a bowl are forced to gulp down their food and this may cause bloating and slow down digestion. Raising the food bowl for them eases the digestive process and causes less discomfort.

 Feed small, simple meals throughout the day.

 Test for Giardia and other parasites at least 3-4 times.

 Rule out a blockage.

 Eliminate any food or supplement which seems to upset the digestive tract or aggravate the symptoms.

 Exercise your pet regularly as this helps with digestion.

 Give supplements to strengthen the immune system and most importantly give digest enzymes before or during each meal.

 Avoid using toxins on or around your pet.

 Offer only bottled water.

 Last, it is important to keep a positive attitude, as your problems and your stress level will affect your pet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Purely Pets!
Pet Nutritionist: darleen@purelypets.com with questions about your pet or our products.
copyright © 1997~2007 Purely Pets. All rights reserved.
reprinted with kind permission from Darlene Rudnick
back to top

************************************
 
IBD
 Inflammatory Bowel Disease
 Canine Plasmacytic Enteritis
 Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs


Diagnosis and Management of Refractory Diarrhea
 Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs


chloebutton   talabutton

The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.