What is IBD in dogs? (Inflammatory bowel disease)

IBD (Inflammatory bowel disease) is a common disease among humans and dogs. What is IBD in dogs? IBD is a syndrome rather than a disease. The syndrome is a reaction to the chronic irritation gastrointestinal tract. Chronic irritation leads to inflammation of the intestines and chronic gastrointestinal upsets.

What is IBD (Inflammatory bowel disease) in dogs?

Like humans, dogs also have many bacteria present in their intestines, some of which are necessary to ensure the digestive system’s proper function.

But some times due to food allergies and other disorders, hypersensitivity to these bacteria will develop, which cause inflammation called IBD ( inflammatory bowel disease in dogs) 

In the article, we briefly discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment of IBD in dogs.

What can cause IBD in dogs?

According to vets and pet experts, the exact cause of IBD is poorly understood. Still, the leading cause of the inflammation is bacteria, that usually reside in the intestines and abnormalities in the immune system’s response.

This inflammation affects the ability to digest and absorb nutrients.

Some of the possible causes include Bacterial and parasitic infection and Protein reaction in a specific food.

What can cause IBD in dogs?

IBD can affect any part of the digestive gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but the most commonly affected parts are the intestine and stomach.

• If the stomach is affected by the IBD, then your puppy will experience chronic vomiting. And If the intestines are involved, then your puppy will experience chronic diarrhea.

• Many IBD symptoms are common to other diseases, so a proper diagnosis is a primary key to overcoming the problem. 

• Some of IBD’s common symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss, abdominal noise, blood in the stool, and depression.

Diagnosing of the IBD in dogs:

• Diagnosing the disease is not quickly done with the symptoms because most of the IBD symptoms are common to other illnesses.

• Several tests include blood, urine, fecal examination, and barium assisted X-ray of the digestive system needs to be done to confirm and diagnose the IBD. 

• Due to the disease, the levels of proteins and liver enzymes become rise, causing anemia and high white blood cell, which can help the vet diagnose.

Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease In Dogs:

• If your dog is once suffered from IBD, then the cure is difficult because inflammatory bowel disease in dogs cannot be cured.

• To protect your furry friend from the disease, you need to follow some of the preventative measures.

• A strong immune system can protect your pet from IBD. So the use of immunosuppressive drugs and antibiotics is an essential part of the treatment process. 

• In dehydration due to severe diarrhea or vomiting, try to transfer extra fluids.

• Dog’s diet is the leading and vital step in the treatment process of IBD. Generally, vets recommend a hypo-allergic diet for some time to see the pet response to the food and then make changes according to need.

• They also determine a regular healthy diet that will promote good digestive function and avoid further complications.

• Broad-spectrum de-worming is recommended to protect  your pup from IBD.

• With the proper precautions and dietary management, you can relieve your furry friend of the disease. 

How do you treat inflammatory bowel disease in dogs naturally?

This is very clear that IBD has no proper treatment. But according to vets and pet experts, there are some natural healing methods which can help in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in dogs.

• The use of a diet having omega-3 fatty acids can help in healing the inflammatory bowel disease in dogs.

• With the use of certain Herbs supplements which contains Omega-3 fatty acids, amino acid, Plantain, and a clove or cinnamon oils.

• The use of probiotics has a role in preventing and treating gastrointestinal problems in dogs like IBD.

• Giving Curcumin aids in the IBD in puppies. Curcumin has pro-inflammatory cytokines, suppressing iNOS, and blunting neutrophil recruitment, reducing lipid per-oxidation and tissue injury.

• Use of Plantain: Plantains have intestinal inflammation constituents. Plantains for dogs help to reduce mucosal tissue damage and help to cure GI track.

• Use of Cinnamon Oils cinnamon oils significantly suppresses levels of interleukin-6 in serum and IL-6 mRNA in tissue. Which often aids in the IBD in pups.

What can I feed my dog with inflammatory bowel disease?

• If your dog is suffering from inflammatory bowel disease, you must focus on your pet diet. Vets recommend the below diets for the dogs suffering from IBD.

• Easily digestible and soft food without additives, which causes an immune reaction. 

• Avoid protein-based food such as beef, dairy, chicken, and wheat.

• Avoid food contain fiber and fat, and also kibble dog food.

• Feed High moisture food and low residue diets 

End stages of IBD in dogs:

IBD is the most irritating and painful disease in dogs. It occurs due to the immune system’s weakness and mainly affects the stomach and intestine of the dogs. 

End stages of IBD in dogs result in bloody stool, weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea. Swelling in the rectum and stomach. In severe cases, it can leag your dogs to rectum cancer and even death.