Chronic intestinal disease: What can I do for my dog?

We are often contacted by dog ​​owners whose dogs suffer from chronic intestinal disease. The dogs have diarrhea, intestinal cramps, some lose weight and are constantly exhausted. Often the owners are at a loss and are looking for the right treatment options to help their dogs. But what can I do as a dog owner to help my dog? What leads to an improvement in the symptoms? And does my dog's diet have an influence on this?

There are many clinical pictures of chronic intestinal diseases. Based on the symptoms and examinations by the vet, diagnoses such as IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease ) or food-related diarrhea are made. The dogs then usually need consistent treatment with medication and a special composition of their food. Often several therapy options have to be tried. It can take some time before relief or improvement is achieved. Dogs and owners often need a lot of patience and perseverance for this. The exact causes of chronic intestinal inflammation are usually not fully understood and are still being researched. Various triggers, such as allergic reactions to feed substances, e.g. animal proteins , an overactive immune system , but also intolerance to additives , an altered intestinal microbiome or even genetic components in different dog breeds are all possible. IBD usually affects the small and large intestine. The intestine is permanently irritated and the intestinal mucosa swells. In some cases it even scars. The food is no longer digested properly and the dogs therefore do not receive enough nutrients. It is important to keep the inflammation of the mucous membrane under control and to switch to a food that does not further irritate the dog's intestines.

Can a change in diet help?

Experience has shown that it is a good idea to choose a new protein source (e.g. lentils, lupine, peas in VEGDOG ) that the dog has never eaten before. This way you can counteract a negative immune response to the as yet unknown protein. Always with the hope that the new protein will be well tolerated by the dog.

The aim of the change in diet is to calm the immune system , which has been overreacting all this time, and to give the intestinal mucosa time to regenerate .

How can VEGDOG help?

With VEGDOG you have a food that offers a new source of protein (e.g. lentils, lupine, peas) for your dog. This can prevent an excessive immune reaction, which can be a trigger for inflammatory bowel disease, and further irritation of the intestinal mucosa.

VEGDOG covers all needs and is 100% plant-based and gluten-free . The ADULT Lentils & Millet and SENIOR Peas & Millet varieties contain potatoes, among other things, to which a few dogs also react (very rarely, but still sometimes). For these dogs, we recommend our SENSITIVE Lupin Protein variety or our dry food .

Other therapeutic approaches

And last but not least, here are a few links to new, innovative approaches to the treatment of chronic intestinal diseases:

• Fecal transplantation in dogs with chronic intestinal disease
  https://www.facebook.com/486116471453087/posts/httpswwwmedvetmeduni-muenchendeforschungstud_inneredarmindexhtmles-ist-known-d/2525972927467421/
• use of prebiotics and probiotics
  https://www.med.vetmed.uni-muenchen.de/forschung/stud_innere/darm/index.html

• https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/steroids-diet-best-for-treating-canine-ibd/

"Greetings to all. I have a 10-month-old Havanese dog. She has IBD. It started when she was 6 months old, but none of the doctors noticed it and we have been suffering for a long time until I came across VEGDOG about 3 weeks ago - by chance because I wanted to google IBD on the internet. I then looked at the composition of the food and since I come from the medical field, I can implement a lot of things. I thought to myself, you can't do more than try it. Our Nele was constantly suffering from diarrhea and was very nervous because of her latent stomach pains. She has been on the food for 14 days now and we are only halfway through the change. Digestion is great, solid is no problem at all and she is so happy when she gets the food. Oh, and by the way! I feed Green Chrunch" - VEGDOG customer (March 2020)

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