Chronic intestinal disease in dogs
Veterinarians divide chronic intestinal diseases into three main groups. This classification helps you choose the right treatment step by step.
1. Food Responsive Enteropathy (FRE)
With Food Responsive Enteropathy, intestinal inflammation is mainly caused by components in the diet. Signs improve clearly after a diet change, usually within a few weeks.
2. Immunosuppressant Responsive Enteropathy (IRE) including IBD
When dietary measures are insufficient, Immunosuppressant Responsive Enteropathy may be present, which includes IBD. Here, the immune system itself drives the inflammation. Treatment with immunosuppressive medication is often required.
IBD in dogs is often compared to Crohn’s disease in humans. In both cases it is a chronic, immune-mediated intestinal inflammation with flare-ups and quiet periods. As in humans, IBD in dogs cannot be cured, but it can be managed well.
3. Antibiotic Responsive Enteropathy (ARE)
With this form, signs improve under treatment with certain antibiotics, such as metronidazole. A disturbed gut flora, dysbiosis, plays an important role.
Signs of IBD and other chronic intestinal diseases
- chronic or recurrent diarrhoea
- soft or mucous stools
- vomiting
- reduced appetite
- weight loss
- a dull coat and reduced condition
How is IBD diagnosed?
IBD is a diagnosis of exclusion. Other causes are first ruled out through stool testing (parasites, digestion and dysbiosis index), blood tests and imaging such as an abdominal ultrasound. If signs persist, an endoscopy of the intestines with biopsies may be needed to confirm inflammation.
Treatment of IBD and chronic intestinal disease
Treatment is almost always multimodal and tailored to the individual dog:
- Adjusted nutrition: Food forms the basis of every treatment and is often the first step.
- Vitamin B12: With long-term intestinal inflammation, vitamin B12 absorption can be disrupted. Supplementation is based on blood tests. This can, for example, be done with the supplement Cobalaplex.
- Support with probiotics: Probiotics can help restore the gut flora and barrier. An example is Ultimaflor (plain text), which not only contains beneficial bacteria but also L-threonine for rebuilding the intestinal lining and Shiitake to support gut defences.
- Medication via your vet: When the above measures are insufficient, medication may be needed, such as corticosteroids to suppress the excessive immune response and or metronidazole with severe inflammation or dysbiosis. Elevated folate in the blood can indicate dysbiosis.
Faecal transplant in dogs
In a small group of dogs with severe or treatment-resistant chronic intestinal disease, where diet, supplements and medication have insufficient effect, a faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) can be considered. It may also be considered for dogs with IBD that respond poorly to treatment.
In this treatment, the dog receives stool from a carefully screened, healthy donor dog. The aim is to restore the disturbed gut flora by introducing a broad, healthy bacterial ecosystem.
The role of stress and resilience in IBD
Stress, illness or reduced immunity can trigger new flare-ups of IBD signs. Rest, predictability and good general health therefore play an important role in long-term control.
IBD and other chronic intestinal diseases in dogs require a careful, step-by-step approach. By first optimising diet and gut support and, if necessary, considering medication or specialist treatments such as faecal transplant, many dogs can achieve a good quality of life.
Do you have questions about IBD in dogs? Contact us at veterinarian@vetsend.co.uk.
