Steroids and Diet Best For Treating Canine IBD - Veterinary Practice News. Find out a possible treatment plan for inflammatory bowel disease in dogs. By Arden Moore. Published: 2. AM. Inflammatory bowel disease in dogs continues to be one of the most challenging conditions for veterinarians to treat. The cure for this painful, chronic gastrointestinal condition remains elusive, but a treatment plan that combines the synthetic steroid budesonide with a novel protein or hydrolyzed diet is generating support among leading veterinary specialists in the internal and nutritional fields. These dogs typically have inflammation of the stomach lining, colon and small intestine. Their immune systems are waging war on the invasion of bacterial, food or parasitic antigens. They are miserable and in pain, and their owners are often frustrated by the lack of a quick diagnosis and recovery. We back our way into diagnosing IBD.”. The primary types of IBD affecting dogs include: Lymphocytic- plasmacytic enterocolitis. Considered the most common type of IBD, it is identified through a biopsy that confirms excessive numbers of lymphocytes and plasma cells on the colon wall or small intestine. This type is characterized by inflammation that triggers a narrowing of the small bowel. ACVIM, co- chief of Wright Animal Hospital/Animal Specialty Services of Cook County in Des Plaines, Ill., says it is vital for veterinarians to confirm IBD by taking a detailed medical history. What therapeutic/dietary measures have been used in the past? What does the dog eat?’”. ![]() Pinpointing IBD as the cause also requires performing an extensive physical examination and conducting a series of diagnostic tests that may include: * A fecal exam for the possible presence of a parasitic or bacterial agent* Abdominal X- rays and possibly, an ultrasound* A complete blood cell count* Serum chemistry screen. But his favorite diagnostic tool is the endoscope. Drazner has performed more than 8. The scope, connected to a light source, camera and computer monitor, permits a veterinarian to collect biopsy samples and examine the condition of a dog’s colon, stomach or small intestine to detect any swelling, bleeding or presence of ulcers or foreign bodies. Gastroscopic, endoscopic and colonoscopic investigation by an experienced, skilled operator can yield invaluable histopathologic information with minimal stress to the patient.”. Once IBD has been diagnosed, Wakshlag favors gradually switching a dog’s diet, if the main proteins have been common ones such as beef, chicken or lamb. The dog would be then fed a novel protein or hydrolyzed diet. The veterinarian works with the client to introduce a specific protein the dog has never consumed, such as bison, kangaroo or rabbit. Breeds at Risk for IBDAny dog of any age can develop inflammatory bowel disease; however, certain breeds are at a greater risk, with the Norwegian Lundehunds especially vulnerable, according to Joseph Wakshlag, DVM, Ph. ![]() D., assistant professor of clinical nutrition at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Also on the at- risk list are: * Basenjis* Boxers* English bulldogs* German shepherds* Irish setters* Rottweilers* Shar- Peis* Wheaten terriers.
Change of Diet. A second option is to go with a hydrolyzed protein diet. These are marketed directly to veterinarians and consist of minuscule protein particles that are too small to be detected—or to generate response from a dog’s immune system. When the diarrhea and vomiting return, you’ve figured out the problem.”Cyclosporine. In some cases, cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant designed to reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, and azathioprine, a drug that suppresses lymphocytes invading the GI tract, are prescribed. Anti- nausea medications and antacids may also be warranted. It is relatively inexpensive, but he believes that Budesonide, given as a topical, yields fewer side effects. Dogs with IBD feel miserable, but with the right treatment plan, most can experience a livable outcome.”Moving Forward. In the future, Drazner believes that immunosuppressant agents such as Cell. Cept will be more widely utilized to combat IBD in dogs. I have used it on four dogs—a golden retriever, springer spaniel, Brittany spaniel and a Yorkshire terrier, and it has improved their quality of life. ![]() What is a low-residue diet? Can it help your inflammatory bowel disease? Hi Kate: I do appreciate that you are trying to offer a real food diet for your cat. Unfortunately, an unbalanced homemade diet, raw or cooked, can actually do more. Some veterinarians are turning to Cell. Cept for dogs with IBD who don’t respond to prednisone, azathioprine or cyclosporine.”< HOME>. Diet Can Treat Most Common Cat Ailments. Pets Best insurance Services recently published a list of the ten most common diseases in their insured cats for the last ten years: Renal failure (2. Hyperthyroidism (2. Diabetes mellitus (1. Allergies (8%)Inflammatory bowel disease (7%)Lymphoma (7%)Feline lower urinary tract disease (6%)Cancer (6%)Urinary tract infection (5%)Otitis (5%)What I find most fascinating about this list is that the top seven conditions have well- accepted nutritional remedies, and with a little creative thinking all ten can be treated with diet. Here’s what I mean. Hyperthyroidism. Cats with hyperthyroidism make too much thyroid hormone. One of the limiting factors in the production of thyroid hormone is the presence of sufficient amounts of iodine in the body, and iodine is supplied by the diet. A major pet food manufacturer has started making a low iodine food that is proving to help control hyperthyroidism in many cats. Diabetes mellitus. Type 2 diabetes, the most prevalent form in cats, can be quite responsive to diet. Most diabetic cats will either need less insulin or will be able to go off insulin entirely (at least for a while) if they eat low carbohydrate, high protein foods. Allergies. If cats are allergic to a particular type of food (beef and dairy products are common culprits), avoiding that ingredient will eliminate their symptoms. Even when cats are allergic to environmental triggers (pollen, mold spores, mites, etc.), dietary therapy is still often helpful. Nutritional supplements containing anti- inflammatory omega- 3 fatty acids, which are found in many cold water fish oils, can help ease the symptoms of allergies in cats. Recurrent cases of otitis that are not caused by ear mites are often linked to allergies in cats, so the same treatments are often helpful. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)Hypoallergenic diets such as those made from novel protein sources like venison and green pea, or those that have been hydrolyzed (broken down to the point that the immune system ignores them), are central to the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Probiotic nutritional supplements that contain beneficial intestinal microorganisms are also a common treatment recommendation for inflammatory bowel disease. Lymphoma and other cancers. Cancerous cells alter the body’s metabolism. They metabolize glucose and make lactate that the body then tries to convert back into glucose. This takes energy away from the cat and gives it to the cancer. Cancers also convert amino acids, the building blocks of protein, into energy causing muscle wasting, poor immune function, and slow healing. On the other hand, cancerous cells do not appear to be very efficient at using fat as an energy source. Based on these metabolic changes, many veterinarians recommend feeding feline cancer patients diets that are relatively low in carbohydrates (particularly simple carbohydrates) and high in protein and fat. Omega- 3 fatty acids are often added to these diets because they are a good source of fat and calories and may have “anti- cancer” effects. Feline lower urinary tract disease. Dilute urine does not irritate the bladder wall like concentrated urine can. Feeding canned food is an easy way to increase a cat’s water consumption. Several pet food manufacturers make canned cat foods that promote overall bladder health and an optimum urinary p. H, which can be particularly helpful if urinary crystals have been a problem. Nutritional supplements containing cranberry extracts may help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections in cats.
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