Canine IBD, Diet and Wild Earth
What is IBD?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in dogs is a common presumptive diagnosis for dogs experiencing chronic diarrhea. I say “presumptive” because IBD is often blamed for nearly any dog that has loose stools for over three weeks. Many veterinarians diagnose IBD based on the common clinical characteristics of chronic vomiting, loose stools, loss of appetite, lethargy, low-grade fever, poor-quality hair coat, and weight loss. Those symptoms can be associated with a large number of medical conditions, making a diagnosis based solely on clinical signs difficult. Intestinal biopsies are required to confirm IBD, meaning many dogs are potentially over-diagnosed. Food-responsive enteropathies (FRE) are an area of intense research and are now considered a primary diagnostic rule-out for any dog suffering from IBD-like symptoms. FRE is exactly what it sounds like; a dog responds to withdrawal of certain intestinal inflammation-causing ingredients. While FRE is technically not a “food allergy,” this form of enteropathy may be more common than previously thought. I have found many dogs diagnosed with IBD actually have FRE or another condition that closely mimics it. The current medical evidence suggests that canine IBD is probably due to several factors or even diseases including genetics, individual immune systems, food and environment, and the gut microbiome. Breeds predisposed to chronic enteropathies such as IBD include soft-coated wheaten terrier, Basenji, Boxer, French bulldog, German shepherd, Norwegian lundehund, and Yorkshire terrier. Chronic GI inflammation due to diet, genetics, or infection can also trigger IBD. Antibiotic-responsive diarrhea (ARD) (also referred to as small intestinal dysbiosis) and new microbiome research also suggest sensitivities or alterations in the gut microbiome are responsible for many cases of chronic enteropathies in dogs. Environmental stress and concurrent hypersensitivities could also play a role.How Plant-Based may help
Cases such as Luna indicate that plant-based dog foods may help with chronic enteropathies in several ways. The first is by eliminating animal proteins, these at-risk dogs may avoid triggering protein sensitivities such as those associated with IBD or FRE. Another factor is that yeast and plant proteins are known to support a healthy gut microbiome by providing a rich source of dietary fibers, including beta-glucans. And finally, diets that are highly-digestible and contain novel proteins (i.e. proteins not part of their previous diet history, especially meats and dairy) may help prevent or lessen IBD and other chronic enteropathies. Here is another message from a happy pet parent highlighting how our Wild Earth dog food helped her pet: My dog was diagnosed with IBD so we had to find a food that would be digestible and hypoallergenic. Wild Earth was the winner. She loves it. Her symptoms are greatly improved and this food will be in her bowl from now on. Thanks all for the great products!Know the Difference
It’s important to note that human IBD is very different than IBD in dogs (and cats). This means the clinical signs, diagnostic tests, and treatments vary. I’m often asked if human Crohn’s disease medications or a type of surgery will help a canine patient, and the answer is probably not (and could cause harm in certain instances). The majority of dogs with definitive IBD will require lifelong medical therapy in addition to special diets. If your dog has been diagnosed with IBD or IBD-like symptoms (don’t forget that there may be multiple factors or conditions involved), ask your veterinarian if a plant-based diet could help.
Category_Dog Blog
The Vet's Corner
