Is it possible to believe that the new year is already here? !
While we humans are busy setting new resolutions for the year and getting better, why not do the same for our pets?
This is a great time to think about your dog’s overall health, and find areas that you can help.
This brings me to the current trending topic: leaky gut in dogs.
Leaky gut syndrome can cause many other health problems, including arthritis, food sensitivities and IBS. It can also lead to fatigue, inflammation, auto-immune disorders, and IBS.
Healthy gut is the first step to a happy dog!
Learn all you need to know about leaky gut. What causes it? How to spot it.
Leaky gut syndrome can often be misdiagnosed. It’s important that you understand what to look for in order to avoid treating the wrong condition.
This will only make the problem worse.
Let’s get to the bottom of it…
What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
Leaky gut simply means that your dog’s intestinal lining stops functioning properly. This barrier prevents undigested foods, bacteria, viruses, and other bacteria from getting into your dog’s bloodstream.
Sometimes, it is called intestinal permeability.
Your dog’s gastrointestinal tract (GI) contains all the food and water your dog consumes every day. Their digestive system determines what nutrients are allowed into their bloodstream (healthy nutrients), and what should be kept out (styling from your couch).
Dogs don’t usually exercise discretion while out and about. They’ll often drink from a puddle or pick-up roadkill on the way home. Your dog’s GI tract and gut walls protect them from harmful (or even bacteria-ridden) foods they eat.
The GI tract and gut wall can stop functioning properly and things that were normally kept out of your dog’s body are allowed to enter, causing havoc.
Signs and symptoms of leaky gut syndrome
It is common to misdiagnose leaky gut syndrome, and it is for good reasons.
Because leaky gut syndrome can be confused with food intolerance or allergies. Leaky gut can go untreated for many years, causing even more health problems for your dog.
Leaky gut can cause protein and food particles to leak out before they are digested. This is the same problem as your dog being unable to digest proteins.
Food intolerance is one of the most obvious signs of a leaky stomach.
Your dog’s immune system responds to particles that leak into their gut. These immune consequences can indicate that your dog may have a leaky stomach.
Autoimmune diseaseArthritis joint painAllergies & skin issuesDigestive problemsBowel diseaseLiver disease, kidney, pancreas and gallbladder diseasesThyroid issues
Chronic inflammation can lead to leaky gut syndrome, which can affect many organs. This is a possible isolated issue and doesn’t necessarily indicate leaky gut.
A leaky gut is a condition in which your dog experiences multiple of these symptoms. Next, identify if your dog has been in contact with any of these stressors or causes. Next, identify if your dog has come in contact with any stressors or causes of leaky gut.
What causes leaky gut syndrome?
Leaky gut syndrome is often caused by stress to the gut. Although it is difficult to diagnose, you can examine the items your dog has been exposed too to determine if this could be the source of the apparent leaky gut.
Leaky gut can be caused by several factors, including:
Antibiotics (which rid your dog’s gut of the good bacteria that keeps his digestive system healthy)Drugs (like NSAIDs, steroids, heartworm, flea and tick medications, or antihistamines)VaccinesStressAbdominal traumaAge (as your dog gets older, the amount of healthy gut bacteria begins to decrease)Diet
Let me briefly touch on the last bullet point…diet.
Leaky gut syndrome can be caused by a variety of factors, including diet stressors and foods you eat.
Glyphosate can be used as an herbicide or an antibiotic. Glyphosate can be found in almost all dog foods that have grains or legumes. Check your dog’s food to see if it contains non-organic oats and wheat.
Lectins are proteins in plants that help them avoid predators. However, they can also damage the lining of your dog’s stomach, causing leaky digestive problems. Look out for legumes such as beans, peas and soybeans in dog food to determine if your dog is regularly consuming lectins.
Mycotoxins can be found on grains, legumes, starchy plants and are known to cause cancer. Although they are not in any specific ingredients, all grains and legumes are likely to contain these harmful toxins.
You might not be aware, but most dogs do not produce lactase. This enzyme aids in digestion of lactose in dairy products. Dairy products can cause inflammation, which can lead to leaky gut.
If your dog is regularly exposed to any of the ingredients or is taking medication or subject to high levels of stress, or if you notice that your dog has health problems, it is time to investigate the root cause.
It’s time for you to treat your dog’s leaky gut if you suspect it.
How to treat leaky gut syndrome
If you suspect that your dog may have leaky gut syndrome, the first thing you should do is examine his gut health. You should take note of everything that your dog ingests, including medications and vaccines. Then analyze whether they are contributing to your dog’s leaky gut syndrome.
Talk to your veterinarian and discontinue any antibiotics or drugs.
Yes, even if your condition isn’t listed.
It may be possible to fix the problem and get rid of any other health problems in your dog’s gut.
You can start feeding your pet a raw food diet, or at least a diet that is made up of whole, raw foods. You should also avoid treats that contain dyes, preservatives, and fillers.
You can check out my blog post on feeding your dog raw dog foods
Next, reduce stress in your dog. Stress can trigger cortisol release, which causes inflammation and leaky gut.
Avoid situations that can cause stress in your dog, such as busy streets or new people. This will help your dog to rebuild his gut wall and return to normal.
To help your dog’s gut health, talk to your vet about adding prebiotics or probiotics.
Your dog’s diet is a major factor in their overall health. Do the same for your dog if you have a goal to be healthy in 2019.
Even if your dog does not have leaky stomach, these tips can be very helpful in preventing it. Your dog will live a happy and healthy life in 2022.
Happy [Healthy] New Years!
Healthy New Year Habits: Leaky Gut Syndrome in Dogs: The Online Dog Trainer.
