Q. There is so much talk about gut health in people. What about dogs?
A. Like human medicine we are finding out how important gut health is in dogs. Environmental impacts and giving drugs, pesticides, poor diet, and water will affect a dog’s well-being. Besides the skin the gastrointestinal tract (GI) is a major line of defense against disease.
The GI tract begins in the mouth. Here the teeth, gums, saliva, and microbiome, the good bacteria normal in the mouth, start the process of digestion and health. Next is the esophagus and stomach. The stomach has a normal acidic environment to further break down food. The small intestines, pancreas, gall bladder are the next step in digestion but also, when healthy, prevent viruses, toxins, bad bacteria, and yeast from getting into the body. Now the last part of the GI tract is the colon. This final segment is important in absorbing water, nutrients like vitamins and electrolytes, and bacteria that further break down remaining material to be stored in the rectum until the dog defecates.
As guardians of our best friends, we can maintain good gut health in several ways. The first being good food and a clean mouth. Dogs are non-obligate carnivores. Their mouth structure and teeth are made for ripping up tissue and crushing soft bones. With strong chewing, dogs keep their teeth clean from plaque and gums clean. A health microbiome in the mouth will also regulate inflammation and support the immune system. Symptoms of dysbiosis (an imbalanced microbiome) are bad breath, gum disease, loose teeth, and potential disease in other areas of the body. To maintain good health adding oral products such as probiotic and enzymes can help prevent oral disease.
Feeding a balanced diet without sugars and additives will provide the nutrients to maintain good health. The term leaky gut is used when optimum gut health is lacking. The intestines are lined with little fingers called villi. These villi are lined up tight together to prevent big proteins, viruses, bad bacteria, and toxins from being absorbed into the blood stream. Digestive enzymes and a healthy microbiome are important to maintain good environment and health by breaking down nutrients so tiny they are easily absorbed through the villi. The most common reasons for dysbiosis are drugs and medicines taken during your dog’s life. When the gut is unhealthy, we can see diseases like allergies, liver inflammation, urinary track disease and GI symptoms. Sibo is a condition in the small intestines, where bad bacteria overtakes good bacteria and makes your dog sick. Signs of Sibo are abdominal pain, diarrhea, malabsorption. Also, we can see colitis, the inflammation of the colon, with symptoms of diarrhea, mucous, blood, and gas.
The major supplements to support a healthy gut are digestive enzymes, prebiotics, and probiotics. Prebiotics (fiber) are the food to feed the good bacteria. Probiotics are the good bacteria to support gut health, digestion, and the immune system. Digestive enzymes are needed to aid in nutrient absorption. These supplements help manage diarrhea, gas, and targeting 70% of the immune system in the gut. Prebiotics are found in pumpkin, psyllium, fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Probiotics have gotten a lot of press. Not all probiotics are the same. Select one that is formulated for dogs. Ask your veterinarian which ones she recommends. Digestive enzymes should also be formulated for your dog. Other soothing agents when gut disease is present are slippery elm, ginger, and turmeric. These will help calm the GI tract. Ask your veterinarian to do a GI panel to assess the pancreas, folate, and vitamin B12 if your best friend is suffering from chronic diarrhea.
Other diseases that have improved with a healthy gut especially concerning the microbiome, which we wouldn’t think of directly are allergies, not just gut but also skin. Ear infections are a common problem from leaky gut, also, liver, heart and kidney disease.
The last but important aspect of gut health is the emotional and mental stability of your dog. Research has found that the gut microbiome directly influences behavior, common problems as anxiety, aggression, phobias, and stress. This occurs via the gut-brain axis, where the gut bacteria produce neurotransmitters and influence immune function. Studies have linked specific gut profiles with aggression and phobias. Other studies show dogs with behavioral issues often exhibit dysbiosis with specific gut profiles linked to aggression and phobias.
To improve Fido’s overall mental, emotional, and physical health follow these simple rules: feed fresh, whole foods rich in polyphenols and fiber (berries, and vegetables). Adding probiotics and prebiotics will help. Allow your dog to interact with nature by sniffing and walking in grass and dirt.
Judith K. Herman, DVM, CVH
Animal Wellness Center
Augusta, Maine
www.mainehomeopahticvet.com