Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs - Life Expectancy

Our Greensboro vets at Guilford-Jamestown Veterinary Hospital often treat dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and while there is no cure for this condition, in many cases IBD can be managed. In today's post we look at the prognosis for dogs with IBD. 

What is IBD in Dogs?

Inflammatory bowel disease (or IBD as it is often called) is a chronic condition that can affect your pup's gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) including the stomach and intestines.

IBD impairs your pup's ability to absorb nutrients and pass waste normally from their system. This inability to process food properly can result in a number of uncomfortable and unpleasant symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, lethargy, fever and loss of appetite.

How IBD in Dogs Can Be Treated

There is no cure for IBD in dogs however,  your veterinarian can prescribe medications and dietary modifications that may help to control your pup's condition.

That said, it's important for pet parents to be aware that IBD treatment is often a process of trial and error. It is a tricky condition to diagnose and treat, as such it can take time to find the right combination of medications and diet to address your pet's symptoms. 

Once the condition is being effectively managed, many dogs are able to stop taking medicine daily and may need it only when symptoms flare-up. Below are some of the treatments most commonly used to control inflammatory bowel disease in dogs.

Deworming

Parasites and bacterial infections can often lead to inflammatory bowel disease in dogs, and fecal exams can sometimes miss the presence of these issues in your dog's GI tract. Deworming may be an effective way to reduce your dog's IBD symptoms.

Diet

Symptoms of IBD in dogs can often be effectively managed by nurturing and maintaining the microbiome in your dog's GI Tract (the billions of bacteria that live in the intestines). Your dog's microbiome can be improved through supplements such as prebiotic fibers or postbiotic end products and good nutrition.

Prescription diets are often helpful in treating IBD in dogs. Each and every dog is different and these diets can take a number of different forms depending on your pet's symptoms and what is causing your dog's inflammatory bowel disease. Some of the formulas available to help treat dogs with IBD include:

• Novel proteins (avoiding typical chicken and beef formulations)
• Foods that are more easily digestible
• High fiber
• Hydrolyzed protein formulas (protein that has been broken down into small components is less likely to cause adverse food reactions in some dogs)

B12 Injections

B12 is an essential vitamin for dogs and people. If your dog's GI tract isn't absorbing nutrients as it should, your pooch could suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency. B12 injections can help to keep your canine companion feeling happy and energetic. 

Medication

Although, many dogs can be successfully treated through diet alone, in more severe cases medications may be required. Antibiotics are commonly prescribed by veterinarians to help treat IBD in dogs. Antibiotics may help to reduce inflammation and restore the normal balance of the microbiome in your dog's GI tract. Steroids may also prove helpful in fighting inflammation in some dogs.

IBD in Dogs Prognosis

 It’s important to have your dog's IBD diagnosed, managed and closely monitored as soon - and as much - as possible in order to achieve the best treatment outcomes.

If your canine companion is diagnosed with IBD the trick will be to stick with the trial and error phase of treatment until the right combination of treatments has been established. If your pet's IBD can be managed successfully the prognosis is good.

By keeping your dog on the modified diet that works best for them, over time you may be able to reduce your pup's medications, and possibly even stop daily medications with the supervision of your vet. 

Some dogs will do well for a number of years on the same diet and medication treatment, however, other dogs require changes to their treatment every few months. Unfortunately, some dogs do not respond to treatment at all.

Diagnosis is essential when it comes to your dog's symptoms of IBD since severe forms of the condition can result in intestinal cancer. 

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Is your dog is suffering from the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease? Book an appointment today for your pup. Our Greensboro vets have experience diagnosing and treating a range of internal medicine conditions including IBD in dogs.