Do dogs get IBD? 

What causes IBD in dogs? 

IBD occurs when the dog’s immune system has an abnormal reaction to non-infectious bacteria in the gut or food allergens. This means that IBD can be divided into three main groups – 

• Food responsive – dogs that respond well to dietary management  

• Antibiotic-responsive – affected dogs are suffering from an alteration to their gut flora, known as dysbiosis. 

• Idiopathic – this term is used to describe dogs that don’t respond to either dietary changes or antibiotics. These dogs instead require anti-inflammatory treatment to control their symptoms. 

IBD is not caused by feeding your dog the ‘wrong food’ as such. Animals suffering from food-responsive IBD have become over-sensitised to allergens within their diet. These allergens are often commonly encountered proteins that your pet would come across in most pet foods, like chicken or beef. Less commonly, gluten may cause issues in some dogs. Dogs that react to food allergens can sometimes show other symptoms of allergy, like itchy skin and recurrent ear infections, but not always.  

Genetics can also play a role in whether your dog develops IBD, as certain breeds seem more susceptible than others, including Weimaraners, German Shepherd dogs and Rottweilers, according to one study. Shar Peis, Boxers and Basenjis are also prone.  However, any breed of dog can suffer from IBD. 

What are the symptoms of IBD in dogs? 

For it to be IBD, symptoms must be chronic in nature, which means they have been going on for at least 3 or 4 weeks. However, they can be intermittent and also vary in severity.  

The following symptoms list is not specific to IBD, however and may be seen in a number of other health conditions, including parasites, pancreatitis and cancer. That is why a diagnosis from your vet will be important in helping you to manage your pet’s health issues.  

Classic signs of inflammatory bowel disease include – 

• Vomiting – A common sign of IBD in dogs 

• Diarrhoea – loose stools which can vary from soft to watery. Blood or mucus may also be seen. 

• Flatulence and/or increased stomach noises – Dogs suffering from IBD may have increased levels of gas in their digestive tract. 

• Weight loss – Dogs with IBD may lose weight due to issues with nutrient absorption and changes in appetite 

• Changes in appetite – Appetite can be reduced for some dogs, whereas others may experience an increase. 

• Abdominal pain – Some dogs may have an uncomfortable abdomen, especially during a flare-up of their IBD. 

• A swollen abdomen – Severe cases of IBD may progress to protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). Protein leaks into the abdomen from the inflamed digestive tract, which leads to fluid accumulation. 

Colitis is a term you may have heard previously, especially if your dog is prone to tummy troubles.  Colitis just means inflammation of the colon (large intestine); it is not a specific condition or diagnosis in its own right. Like most types of gut irritation, it can have several underlying causes, including stress, infection, and eating something inappropriate. IBD can also be a cause of colitis. 

How is IBD diagnosed? 

Your vet will start by examining your dog to check for things like weight loss and abdominal pain. Depending on their findings and your pet’s history, they may suggest some further tests. 

• Blood samples – These will help to rule out other conditions and check your dog’s protein levels. Often, a biochemistry and haematology profile will be run to begin with, but other specific tests, such as canine pancreatic lipase or folate and cobalamin levels, may be needed too.  

• Faecal analysis – Your dog’s stools may be checked for infectious diseases such as parasites, bacterial infections or possibly viral infections. 

• Diagnostic imaging – X-rays and ultrasound scans are commonly used to rule out other causes of disease, including foreign bodies or cancer. Thickening of the gut may also be seen in dogs that are suffering from IBD. 

• Gut biopsies – Samples of tissue from the digestive tract may be recommended. These may be obtained via endoscopy, a small camera with grabbing forceps that is passed into your dogs’ digestive system. Alternatively, surgical biopsies might be recommended, especially if a specific site needs to be assessed and sampled. Samples are often needed in dogs with severe symptoms or for those that don’t respond to initial trial treatments. 

IBD in dogs – treatment 

IBD is not curable, but treatment is aimed at managing your dog’s symptoms and reducing the frequency of their flare-ups. This may involve a combination of dietary changes, medication and dietary supplements. 

Diet  

An exclusion diet is trialled first in most cases. Affected dogs may be given a diet that contains a novel protein source. This is a protein that your dog won’t have eaten previously, meaning it is less likely to trigger an allergic reaction as your pet won’t be sensitised to it. Some common novel protein sources include duck, salmon, and venison. Alternatively, your vet may suggest a hydrolysed diet. This is a special type of food where the proteins it contains have been broken into smaller particles. This means they are less likely to cause a reaction. 

A dietary trial with the new food will need to be carried out for several weeks to test its effectiveness. No other treats or food are allowed during this time. There can be a bit of playing around with different diets and repeat trials, as your dog may respond to one recommended diet more favourably than another.  

Other therapies  

Probiotics can help support your dog’s gut flora and may alter the microbiome. This can help improve IBD symptoms for some dogs. Dietary supplements containing probiotics (live gut bacteria) and prebiotics (food for the bacteria to encourage them to multiply) are often recommended.  

Faecal microbiota transplantation is also gaining interest as a way of treating some gastrointestinal disorders. This involves transferring faecal material from a healthy donor dog to an unwell dog as a method of rebalancing their microbiome. This is not a routine treatment, but it may be helpful for certain patients. 

Medications  

If a change in food and dietary supplements are not proving to be helpful, then medication may be advised. Antibiotics are needed in some cases. Steroids are also often used to manage IBD in dogs. These provide anti-inflammatory effects and suppress the immune system’s reaction. These are reduced to the lowest possible dose that controls your dogs’ symptoms, to minimise the risk of any side effects. In some cases, other immunosuppressants may be needed when steroids are not effective. This may include drugs like azathioprine, chlorambucil or cyclosporine. Anti-nausea medications and gastroprotectants can also be useful for some pets. 

What is the long-term prognosis for dogs with IBD? 

If their IBD is well managed, most dogs will maintain a good quality of life and have a normal life expectancy. This means following your vet’s advice and continuing with their prescribed diet, medication or supplements long term. 

However, there are some cases that have severe symptoms or protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) which can’t be well controlled, despite everyone’s best efforts. Their intestinal damage becomes severe and irreversible. These dogs struggle to absorb nutrients and have serious bouts of vomiting or diarrhoea. This leads to malnutrition and significant weight loss. They may also develop an enlarged abdomen, which is caused by inflammation, protein loss from the digestive tract, and fluid accumulation. Weakness, dehydration and organ failure can eventually occur. End-of-life discussions are often needed in cases like these, as euthanasia is often the kindest option for dogs with serious flare-ups and deteriorating symptoms. 

Summary 

If your dog is unwell, then you must take them to a vet for a diagnosis. Many of the symptoms of IBD can be seen in other conditions as well, so it is important to rule these out first. Most dogs with IBD can be successfully managed with dietary change, probiotics and/or medication. 

It is worth remembering that this condition cannot be cured, so ongoing treatment and management will be required, and your pet may still suffer from occasional flare ups. 

Most dogs have a normal life expectancy with the right care and veterinary support. If you still have any questions or concerns about your dog after reading this blog, then don’t hesitate to speak with your vet.