A common issue presented among our clients, readers, and followers here at My Pet Nutritionist is low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria).There are numerous signs and symptoms that your pet may have low stomach acid; let’s discuss the most common ones! Acid Reflux Low stomach acid will usually result in Acid Reflux, or it’s most severe form, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). When a dog has GERD, there is a backflow of stomach acid. Dogs presenting with the below clinical signs, are often prescribed Proton Pump Inhibiting drugs (PPI’s), which suppress acid secretion in the stomach, and can provide temporary relief, but can cause more implications in the longer term, and will not erase the cause of the low stomach acid, or its symptoms. Most commonly seen in brachycephalic dogs and cats, and those with shorter a oesophagus, low stomach acid is being seen more and more often in the animal health and nutrition industry. Read our Guide to Acid Reflux here Regurgitation Probably the most common sign of low stomach acid is regurgitation (bringing up partly digested food), bringing up bile (clear, yellow substance produced in the liver, and stored in the gallbladder for use during digestion), and sometimes bloody vomit. These various nauseating problems occur due to the mixture of digesting/partly undigested food, known as chyme, sitting in the stomach for prolonged periods of time. When it sits in the stomach for so long, inflammation worsens in the area, which ultimately causes food or bile to come back up, since it is unable to go down! A popular supplement used as part of many dogs’ battles against regurgitation, is Deglycyrrhizinated Liquorice (DGL)which is a great anti-inflammatory for the stomach, and helps heal the gut. Findings Here Indigestion Dogs and cats fed a raw diet while suffering from low stomach acid, will often be unable to properly digest meat and bone. Pets with indigestion will often have pieces of bone and fresh-looking meat in their vomit. In order to digest bone and meat (or other sources of protein), the gastrointestinal juices must be acidic. If there is little acid available, the pet will be unable to digest and utilise the bone and meat. During fasting (between meals), the dogs gastrointestinal juices are around pH 7.3, which is almost neutral. In anticipation of food, during eating, and during the process of digestion, the gastric juices drop to a very acidic pH of 1 to 2 – that’s not too dissimilar to the pH level of battery acid! Findings Here We often recommend a gently cooked diet as per our balanced recipes for those suffering with low stomach acid, as cooked meat and bone substitutes are much easier to digest. Lip/Air Licking Another very common sign of low stomach acid is lip licking, often called ‘lip smacking’, as well as licking the air. These are not only signs of pain, but also signs of nausea in both dogs and cats. Drooling and lack of appetite are also signs of nausea in both species. Stomach Pain, Bloating and Gas Due to the inability to digest food properly and efficiently, stomach pain (particularly after eating) is common in those suffering with low stomach acid production. Dogs especially, often display unusual behaviours like bowing (just like the ‘downward dog’ yoga position!) when their stomach is sore. This position can help relieve the pain. Some pets will look sharply at their stomach when in pain, which is a very subtle sign, so often one missed. Cats will often become more vocal when in pain, or lose their appetite. Stomach pain can also be caused by bloating, and excessive gas. The inflammation of the stomach can lead to visible bloating. The gasses produced by the chyme mixture in the stomach will also further add to the bloating. In order to release these gasses, owners of pets suffering with low stomach acid will often notice more passing of wind through the anal passage, or through burping. Probiotics and gut healing protocols can help reduce these symptoms. Another cause of bloat and excessive gas is bacterial overgrowth in the gut. Known as SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth), the overgrowth of bacteria alters not only gut motility, but also affects the gut-brain axis. Findings Here Findings Here Burping/Empty Swallowing Burping and empty swallowing (regular swallowing despite the pet not eating or drinking beforehand) are signs the pet has low stomach acid. Due to the low stomach acid content, the chyme will produce gasses which will cause burping and the feeling of sickness, hence the swallowing. Dogs and cats may also swallow when they have regurgitated, which would appear as empty swallowing. Constipation and Diarrhoea Irregular bowel movements and consistency of bowel movements can be a sign of low stomach acid in dogs and cats. Due to the lack of appropriate levels of stomach acid in these individuals, their metabolic rate decreases, meaning that important parts of the diet will take differing times of absorption, which can play havoc on the bowel. Pets who struggle with indigestion of raw bone may struggle with diarrhoea. A large part of the problem when it comes to irregular bowel issues, is down to bacterial overgrowth in the gut. As previously mentioned, SIBO has a huge impact on the gut-brain axis, as well as gut motility, leading to malabsorption of nutrients which can ultimately lead to both chronic and non-chronic diarrhoea and constipation. Conditions such as IBD may be diagnosed following SIBO in dogs with low stomach acid. Findings Here Bad breath As the chyme is stuck in the digestive system for such along time, it can lead to bad breath. Many pet owners associate bad breath with oral hygiene/dental issues, which is absolutely a possibility. These owners are often startled to see their pets have perfect oral health; yet are still suffering from bad breath. Digestive issues are a very common cause of bad breath, so it’s important to look into these too, especially SIBO. Focusing on the gut health should dramatically improve bad breath.
The fancy way of saying hair loss, alopecia affects more pets than we may think. It may be congenital or acquired and for it to be managed effectively, we really need to understand it. So, let’s take a look at 5 reasons for alopecia in pets. What is Alopecia? Alopecia is the partial or complete lack of hairs in areas where they are normally present. We can imagine our pet’s hair (and skin for that matter) as a report card for the body. If it’s looking a little worrisome, we need to investigate. As we mentioned, alopecia can be both congenital and acquired. Congenital means the animal is born with the condition. Congenital hair loss may or may not be hereditary. It’s caused by a lack of normal development of hair follicles. It may be apparent at, or shortly after birth. Your pet may be born with a normal coat, and patchy or widespread hair loss occurs when they become a young adult. In acquired hair loss, your pet is born with a normal hair coat. It has or had normal hair follicles at one time and is or could produce structurally normal hairs. Subsequently, any disease that can affect hair follicles can cause hair loss. Certain diseases may destroy the hair follicle or shaft or interfere with the growth of hair. Some diseases can cause discomfort, leading to self-trauma (scratching and biting) and loss of hair. It’s important to remember that acquired hair loss can be inflammatory or non-inflammatory. What diseases can Interfere with the growth of hair? Diseases that can directly cause destruction or damage to the hair shaft or follicle include bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections. It can also include inflammatory diseases of the skin along with skin trauma. These diseases tend to be inflammatory. Parasites and What You Really Need to Know But there can also be factors that inhibit or slow down follicle growth resulting in alopecia. Let’s take a look. Nutritional Deficiencies We are seeing more and more data around specific nutrients in hair growth and health. For example: – Low vitamin D status has been implicated in cases of alopecia, – Over-supplementation of Vitamin A is associated with alopecia – In a Biotin deficiency, signs include hair loss – Folate deficiency can result in hair, skin and nail changes – Vitamin C is known to aid iron absorption, the latter being implicated in hair loss – Hair loss is a common sign of zinc deficiency – Hair loss can be seen in Iodine deficiency as it’s a mineral that aids thyroid function (we’ll share why this is relevant next) We advocate a fresh food diet, rich in nutrients to support overall health. Check out our range of blogs on different nutrients if you would like to learn more. Hormonal imbalances So much of a factor, there is a condition deemed hormonal alopecia in dogs. This can be linked to neutering with many owners reporting hair loss or thinning post neutering. But when we say hormones, we are also considering thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland is active in the initiation of hair growth and replacement. Located in the neck near the trachea or windpipe, this gland produces hormones which regulate metabolism. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can result in hair loss in the dog although hypothyroidism is likely the more commonly occurring form of hormonal alopecia in dogs. Initially hair loss is patchy, the coat is dry, the hair is brittle and easily pulled out. Quite often hyper pigmentation occurs. In some cases, secondary pyoderma and seborrheic dermatitis may follow. Ultimate Guide: Hypothyroidism Stress Hair loss can follow months after a traumatic event often making it difficult to connect the dots. Hair cycles through different phases and all follicles can be at different stages at any one time. What we now know is that high levels of stress can cause shifts in those cycles. This results in balding or thinning of hair. Stress also depletes nutritional resources along with impeding the digestion and absorption of them and as we’ve already mentioned, sufficient growth relies on a great supply of nutrients. Can Stress Affect My Dog’s Digestive System? Irritation When your dog scratches or bites because they are irritated, it can result in hair loss. Causes of irritation include: – Infection – Pain – Parasites – Sensitivities/allergies Itchy Dogs and Cats Naturally Things to Think About: Skin Health in Dogs Overgrooming Overgrooming can be a calming behaviour employed by your pet. This may be in response to stress or being overwhelmed. Its important to notice any change in grooming behaviour and establish the potential trigger. Stressors may include: – Change in routine – Addition of a new pet – Our own stress – Change in health – Time of year – holidays/fireworks/weather change If you think hair loss may be associated with stress, check out the following blogs for more information: The Pet Owner’s Stress Load Using Nutrition To Support The Stressed Dog Why Dogs Need To Chew 5 Nutrients to Support Your Anxious Dog Overgrooming can also be linked to pain and digestive issues, so check out our blog on licking behaviour for more information. Why Does My Dog Keep Licking Signs of Hair Loss Signs of hair loss may be obvious or subtle, depending on what’s causing it. Congenital or hereditary hair loss can be symmetric (appearing similar on both sides of the body) or located in one area only. It is not usually accompanied by inflammation. Signs of acquired hair loss are influenced by the underlying causes. Hair loss may affect an isolated spot or multiple areas; it may be symmetric or widespread. You may also notice inflammation, thickened skin, colour change, scaling, excessive shedding and/or itching. In addition, some causes may lead to the development of secondary skin diseases like infection or fluid discharge. Some questions to ask when establishing the cause of your pet’s alopecia? Are they getting the nutrients they need from the diet they are offered? Could stress
We often see the phrase “let food be thy medicine” bandied around, and for all intents and purposes it is accurate. We see that both health and disease are nutritionally responsive. What we mean here is that the food we eat, and feed our pets can influence their health and/or disease states. Where most think this ends with physical health, what we are seeing more and more is that food can also influence emotional states. So, can food support your anxious dog? You bet it can! So let’s take a look. Smashing Fish! Omega-3’s, in particular DHA, play critical neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory roles in the brain. Supplementation of omega-3 has been seen to: – Improve cognitive function Findings here – Reduce anxious symptoms Findings here – Reduce aggressive behaviours Findings here – Reduced stress-related hormone production Findings here Did you know? Omega-3 levels are regularly noted as being low in aggressive dogs. This isn’t indicating causation, simply an observation worth noting. We find these super-omegas in fish! Think SMASH – sardines, mackerel, anchovies, salmon and herring! Calming Chamomile Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is one of the most widely used herbal remedies in the world. While there are many varieties of chamomile, Roman (A. nobilis) and German (M. recutita) are the most widely used forms. These are members of the Compositae (Asteracae) family. German chamomile is considered the more potent and is most widely used. It has many medicinal uses including carminative (anti-colic), antiseptic, and anxiolytic. Did you know? Chamomile is notorious for its continuous bloom! Chamomile serves as a safe, general-purpose calming herb that doesn’t taste too shabby either. In human tests it has been effective in mild to moderate generalized anxiety disorder. Findings Here It can be served as a tea, but is also available as an oil infusion, tincture, salve and ointment. Magnificent Magnesium Can we even talk about anxiety without mentioning this super-important mineral? Often noted as the ultimate chill pill, magnesium is an essential nutrient that many are deficient in. Its low levels are regularly established in cases of depression in humans, so it is clear it plays a role in mood modulation and the stress response. Magnesium affects several neurotransmitter systems. Firstly, it inhibits excitatory neurotransmitters. Excessive excitation can lead to the death of brain cells, which affects the overall structure and functioning of the brain. Magnesium also acts as a cofactor in the serotoninergic system. As we know serotonin is that happy chemical, and low levels of magnesium are regularly linked to low serotonin levels. Did you know? Magnesium excretion is increased during times of stress. Catecholamines and corticosteroids enhance the shift of magnesium from inside the cell to outside of the cell leading to increased urinary excretion. In turn, low magnesium levels increase the release of stress-associated hormones. This unfortunately creates a cycle of a reduced resistance to stress. So, if you have a stressed pet, you may want to take a look at how you can increase their magnesium intake. Magnesium is found in leafy greens, nuts, and seeds. The ones packing the highest punch are spinach and pumpkin seeds. No wonder Popeye always looked so happy! Brilliant B-Vitamins Many of the B-Vitamins are involved in functions which directly impact the brain and nervous system. To single them out specifically, B12 and folate are reportedly low in cases of mood disorders in humans. Did you know? B-vitamins can become depleted during times of stress, the more the body requires them for tasks, the more they need replenishing. Stress also affects the lining in the stomach and compromises its function. Intrinsic factor is essential in B12 absorption but lack of production due to compromised function can significantly affect B12 levels. B-Vitamins can be found in eggs, liver, kidneys, chicken, red meat, tuna, mackerel, salmon, shellfish and dark green vegetables like spinach and kale. There’s a reason you were always told to eat your greens! Healing Herbs Skullcap and Valerian are some more of our trusted herbs to support the anxious pet. Many will recognise valerian for its similar smell to old, dirty socks! Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is commonly used for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety disorders in humans. It has a mechanism of action similar to benzodiazepines. Valerian has been shown to decrease the removal or metabolism of GABA, thereby allowing GABA to stay around longer and do its thing, and as we know, GABA is the brake-like neurotransmitter in the body. Findings Here Valerian is available in tincture, tea and fresh or dried root. Skullcap has a similar mechanism of action to Valerian in that it is thought to be GABAergic. But it is also thought to have an effect on serotonin receptors, which is why it has reported sedative and relaxing effects. A small, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study of 43 human participants demonstrated that skullcap reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression in some individuals without causing an observable reduction in energy or cognition. In both cats and dogs, skullcap has been effective in general nervousness and excitability and in any condition where there is oversensitivity in the nervous system. Skullcap is usually found in dried herb or tincture form. Food is certainly a tool in your box when supporting your pet’s well-being, if you would like any guidance then please check out our services to see how we can help. Thanks for reading, MPN Team
You’ve probably heard that most of the immune system is found in the gut or at least that the gut trains immune function, but you may not know how. We thought we’d pop together a brief guide to GALT or gut associated lymphoid tissue and how we can use nutrition to optimise it’s function. What is GALT? GALT stands for gut associated lymphoid tissue and is another subcategory of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. GALT is present throughout the lining of the intestine. It consists of a large population of plasma cells and makes up about 70% of the immune system by weight. Your Pet’s Immune System Being so close to the microbiome and in immediate contact with food, GALT is continually exposed to both ‘normal’ and potentially dangerous antigens. This means that GALT develops in a manner that allows non-pathogenic substances, such as commensal bacteria, to survive and enables tolerance to food antigens, whilst at the same time it protects the host from pathogenic organisms and other potentially toxic substances. In short, GALT matures through exposure, based on this idea of immune tolerance. Do We Need To Boost Our Pet’s Immunity? This distinctive biological feature of GALT is believed to be crucial to good health. Deregulation or dysfunction of GALT is thought to predispose to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and more. What Can Cause Dysfunctional GALT? The gut microbiota plays an important role in the development of the normal mucosal immune system (humoral and cellular), including the development of gut-associated lymphoid tissues. Under normal physiological conditions, symbiotic association of gut microbiota with gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) contributes to immune balance. Dysbiosis continuously and adversely agitates GALT to promote sterile inflammatory response and sensitises the host for chronic gastric disease. There is increasing evidence that suggests changes in intestinal microbiota results in changes in the intercellular tight junctions. In addition, evidence suggests that dysbiosis is associated with inflammatory bowel disease through its influence on GALT. What Influences The Microbiota? Diet and geographical location play a major role in determining the microbial diversity in the gut. In addition, uncontrolled use of antibiotics also (both prescribed and indiscriminate usage) often kills a broad variety of sensitive gut microbes and leads to dysbiosis which warrants the inclusion of pro- and/or prebiotics to repopulate the gut and modulate the gut microbiome. The following also deserve due thought: – Overuse of certain medications like proton pump inhibitors and antihistamines – Poor liver function – Poor motility – Digestive disorders – Poor pancreatic function – Inflammation in the gut – Stress – Environmental toxins – Dietary choices Whilst exposure is crucial for immune system maturation, we can’t ignore that nutrition also plays a role. Amino Acids and GALT Health The importance of individual amino acids to gut function and immunity has become apparent in recent years due to studies that have supplemented amino acids to animals/humans fed: 1) intravenously (total parenteral nutrition – TPN), which demonstrates not only the importance of GALT but also the importance to immune functions beyond the intestine; 2) during weaning, which demonstrates the importance of these amino acids to the normal growth and development of the intestine and GALT; and 3) during infection or chronic inflammation, which has demonstrated the role in regulating inflammation and infectious challenges. Amino Acids of Interest: Glutamine is an important energy substrate and precursor for other amino acids and derivatives in immune cells and enterocytes. In immune cells, particularly lymphocytes, neutrophils and macrophages, glutamine is used rapidly. In addition to its role as an energy substrate, glutamine is important for intestinal development and function, including maintaining the integrity of the gut barrier, the structure of the intestinal mucosa and redox homeostasis. Overall, animal studies have shown that glutamine is required to maintain a healthy intestinal mucosa and support several GALT functions during weaning, infection and other intestinal inflammatory states. Glutamate is thought to modulate the intestinal epithelium. It is thought to play an essential role as an oxidative substrate to both enterocytes and immune cells. It is also a precursor for the synthesis of GSH (glutathione), which is required to protect the intestinal mucosa and optimise immune cell function. Finally, glutamate is a precursor for arginine, the substrate for the synthesis of NO. A high rate of NO synthesis by neutrophils is required during the innate immune response to infection which is an important role of the immune system in the intestine. Studies have shown that arginine supports the growth and the development of the intestine and mucosal barrier in animals. There is considerable support that in health and stressed conditions, ingestion of arginine has a beneficial effect on GALT, with particular improvements in aspects of the acquired immune response. Arginine is thought to support the growth, development and maintenance of a healthy intestinal mucosa during critical periods of development and under certain health conditions. Whilst protein intake is essential to immune function, the availability of specific dietary amino acids, in particular glutamine, glutamate, and arginine, and perhaps others, are essential to optimising the immune functions of the intestine and specific immune cells located in GALT. These amino acids modulate their effects by maintaining the integrity, growth and immune functions of the epithelial cells in the intestine, as well as improve T-cell numbers and function, the secretion of IgA, and regulate inflammatory cytokine secretion. Sources of Glutamine: Grass-fed meat Eggs Organ meats Leafy greens Sources of Glutamate: Meat Mushrooms Sources of Arginine: Meat Fish Nuts Seeds We would always advocate a fresh food diet to provide the nutrients necessary for healthy immune functioning in your pets. If you would like any support in optimising your pet’s health, check out our services to see how we can help. Thanks for reading, MPN Team
We’d say 99% of pets that we support here at My Pet Nutritionist require a gut healing protocol. No matter the issue they present with, when we track through their history, we can see the benefit of supporting their gut health moving forwards. So how do we support a pet’s gut health? We follow the 4 R’s. Not sure what they are? Well, we’ve popped together a brief guide! Remove – carry out an elimination diet An elimination diet, also known as exclusion diet, is a diagnostic procedure used to identify foods that an individual/animal cannot consume without adverse effects. Adverse effects may be due to food allergy (IGE), food intolerance (IGG), other physiological mechanisms, or a combination of all of the above. How? Raw or lightly cooked food is the best way to do this. Cooked foods can take pressure off the digestive system – which has often taken a bit of a beating in these cases. Start with novel proteins (proteins your dog’s immune system has not seen before) –horse, ostrich, kangaroo and hare are generally well tolerated. Horse meat is lean too, so a great option if digestive function isn’t where it needs to be, yet. Feed this novel protein for 4-12 weeks. Ideally if you land on a novel protein that helps the itch/digestive discomfort or doesn’t make it any worse, we recommend remaining on this protein for 12 weeks -the time it takes for an intolerance to change. Then introduce other novel proteins. Remember, no more than one per week and stick to single source. Treats need to match too! If there are signs of intolerance, then remove that protein and go back to a protein you believe is best tolerated. Notice that it’s called an elimination diet, and not an elimination lifestyle. The overall aim is to eventually maintain a strong diversity in the diet, as we know this supports optimal gut health. We would be looking to reintroduce more common proteins as time went on – but this takes time. We also practice the same process of reintroducing any fruit or vegetables – one at a time, over time. It can also be worthwhile opting for a low-histamine approach when reintroducing, check out our low histamine blog here. Check out our article on elimination diets here. Repair – support immunity and gut healing with a range of helpful compounds These include: Slippery elm De-glycerised liquorice (DGL) Glutamine N-acetyl-glucosamine Slippery elm is a deciduous tree found in forests of the eastern half of the USA and Canada. Slippery Elm is related to the American Elm (ulmus americana) and is sometimes called Red Elm or Moose Elm. It is best used in the digestive tract, where it serves as a soothing, protecting and lubricating demulcent and general astringent at the same time. It creates a mucilage lining where it soothes the passage of food, inflammation and is believed to protect and heal the mucosal lining. The inner bark of the Slippery Elm is not only packed with nutrients like vitamins A, B complex, C, K, calcium, magnesium and sodium, but it is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. Sadly, the tree is declining so slippery elm should be reserved for circumstances where alternatives are ineffective. In many instances slippery elm can be substituted with plantain (Plantagosp.) If a more mucilaginous remedy is needed, marshmallow root (Altheaofficinalis) is an excellent alternative. Sustainable sources should always be sought after. DGL has been shown to promote mucus activity. This extra mucus may act as a barrier to acid in the stomach and oesophagus. This barrier can allow damaged tissue to heal and has been thought to prevent future occurrences of acid reflux. DGL is thought to increase: The blood supply to the damaged mucosa The number of cells producing the mucus that protects the mucous membranes The amount of mucus the cells produce The life span of the intestinal cell Not only that, but glycyrrhizin has been shown to inhibit experimentally induced allergenic reactions. In gut physiology, glutamine promotes enterocyte proliferation, regulates tight junction proteins, suppresses pro-inflammatory signalling pathways, and protects cells against apoptosis and cellular stresses during normal and pathologic conditions. N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG) is a natural compound that supports healthy digestive mucus production. NAG has also been shown to support the growth of bifidobacteria, a type of gut-protective bacteria. In human studies, glucosamine has been shown to reduce the inflammation caused by the inflammatory bowel diseases ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. It is also important to consider how existing medications are affecting gut healing for example, steroid use impairs intestinal absorption which is linked to several gastrointestinal dysfunctions. But, because of their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities, they are often prescribed in cases of allergies or intolerance. Findings here Restore – support the microbiome As the microbiome is key in the development and maintenance of the immune system and more, supporting this is essential, however, the introduction of specific pre and probiotic foods or supplements is sometimes best left for a few weeks into your plan. To learn more about supporting the gut microbiome, check out our blogs below: What Can Cause Gut Dysbiosis? What Can Help Gut Dysbiosis? Replenish – support digestive function Indigestibility of food proteins can also contribute to their antigenic nature, so consider any long-term medication use. For example, proton pump inhibitors affect gastric acid secretion. Ensuring HCL, pepsin and digestive enzymes are in good supply will help get the digestive system back to doing what it does best! If you would like support tackling your pet’s gut health, check out our services to see how we can help. Thanks for reading. MPN Team
Whether it’s a trail of slobber across your face or you’re sitting in wonder at your dog licking the slate around the fireplace, dogs like to lick. Everything. We find it endearing and a sign of affection when we get a tongue to the ear, or we just assume they’re practicing good hygiene when they are licking their paws. More often than not, only your dog knows why they are licking that rock in the garden. But there are occasions when there is more to licking behaviour. Let’s delve into the world of allergies, stress, pain and just good old-fashioned grooming. Why do dogs lick their paws? If you made a tally of a day in the life of your dog, licking paws would come in pretty high. More often than not, dogs will lick their paws to groom themselves. So, if they’ve come in from their walk or even just from a mooch around the garden, you’ll find them preening themselves and even having a little nibble. This is generally expected behaviour. However, this can become excessive if your dog is irritated by something they walk through or on. Grasses, pollens and toxic chemicals can all cause irritation to their sensitive paws. You also run the risk of salt or antifreeze exposure during extreme weather. Not only does this irritate them externally, but through grooming, they ingest it and can cause subsequent damage internally. It’s always best to rinse your dog’s paws when returning from a walk and give them a towel dry. In extreme climates you can even apply an all-natural paw balm or simply some coconut oil. Dogs will also lick parts of their body that are painful or stiff; so, if your dog has strained or sprained their leg, they may start licking their paw of the affected leg. Long nails can cause pain too, so check your dog thoroughly if the licking is a new behaviour. Dogs In Pain Excessive licking is usually identified by a reddening of the hair on the area being licked, so it’s pretty easy to notice. This is thanks to a protein found in the saliva which stains the hair. It’s not blood, don’t worry. However, excessive licking can cause trauma to the hair and skin, leaving inflamed, red and sore patches. This is why the underlying issue needs to be tackled as soon as possible. Why do dogs lick people? Some dogs lick people, some dogs don’t. How they have been raised plays a huge part in this. Quite often, if a dog has been allowed to lick their owner, they may lick other humans. If, however, an owner doesn’t want this behaviour, then they will ignore it. The dog won’t get a response and often will cease to do it. Those of us crazy dog owners who couldn’t care less whose canine slobber we get covered in, usually become jovial, we smile or laugh. The dog, even in the absence of a “food” reward, is receiving positive reinforcement. Dogs can read human emotion and, maybe, if they think we like being licked, they figure it’s just something they should keep doing. Why do dogs lick faces? It’s impossible to know for certain why dogs like our faces, but we think it comes from their puppyhood. If you notice how Mum Dogs behave with their puppies, they spend a huge time licking them, grooming them. The great thing is, the more a Mum Dog does this, the more resilient her puppy is as they grow. They are also less reactive to stress. It is believed that this behaviour reduces the amount of stress hormones in the puppy’s body. So, we could argue that our dog licks our face because they are imitating the behaviour they experienced. We could also argue that our dogs do it to help soothe us (do they do it more if we are stressed?) The less endearing explanation is that actually, as a dog’s sense of smell is so great, they’ve sniffed out a crumb or remnant of food/drink around our mouths and actually just want a taste. Why do dogs lick your feet? Most will agree, feet are the smelliest part of the human body. In terms of biology, this is pretty accurate. Human feet have more sweat glands per inch than anywhere else on the body. Wearing tight fitting socks and shoes also keeps moisture and heat in, providing a great environment for bacteria to multiply. Dogs have a great sense of smell, so when there could potentially be a great mixture of water, ammonia, potassium, nicotinic acid, magnesium, chloride, sodium, creatinine, uric acid, ascorbic acid, thiamine and riboflavin (also known as sweat) and then a whole host of different bacteria, why wouldn’t your dog have a lick and see what they could find? Dog’s explore their world through smell and sight. Maybe they’re just drawn to the smelliest part of the human body? (we’re not saying you have smelly feet, they can just find more information there). Why do dogs lick the air? Whilst dogs do explore their world through smell, and smell contributes massively to taste experience, it’s unlikely that when your dog is licking the air, they are trying to “taste” the air. They are more likely, stressed. Licking is a stress behaviour for canines. Notice when your dog is licking the air; what is happening in their environment. Is someone touching them? Has someone new come into the home? Are you near their food? Is someone near their toy? Are kids nearby? Have you made a fuss and touched a certain part of their body? This could indicate pain. It’s important to notice the trigger and also watch for other stress behaviours like; drooling, panting, yawning, pacing, head flicking or turning away from the stressor/trigger. Find the trigger and remove it. Licking is a warning signal; ignorance often leads to escalation. Why do dogs lick their nose? Like we mentioned above, this is most likely a sign of
Sadly, there are a colossal number of dogs that suffer with their skin, whether seasonal, or 365 days of the year. So, what on earth is going on? Let’s take a look at the skin in a little more detail, what it is, what its function is and what can go wrong. The skin is actually the largest organ of your dog’s body. It consists of three major layers: The Epidermis – this is the outer layer of skin, the protective layer. The Dermis – this layer supports and nourishes the outer layer. It provides strength and elasticity. Here you will find collagen fibres, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles. Here you will find cells and compounds involved in inflammatory response and therefore allergies. The Subcutis –this in the innermost layer of the skin, here you will find fat and muscles. Subcutaneous fat provides insulation, padding and storage for reserve energy. Not only does the structure of the skin prevent water and electrolyte loss to help maintain body homeostasis, but it forms a protective barrier which helps protect against infections, parasites, and the elements. In dogs, their hair also forms a barrier, therefore hair health is synonymous with skin health, and a dog’s coat type can actually influence skin status. Could My Dog’s Coat Type Contribute to Skin Issues? This protective barrier in fact forms part of the immune system. It is the first line of defence. It does this in two ways: – Through its physical structure – Through its microbiome Gut Guardian The Physical Structure As we have noted, the skin has three layers. Keratinocytes are produced in stem cells and they push their way up through the layers; being smothered in lipids as they go. When they reach the epidermis, they harden and form a tight structure. These eventually shed, and new cells make their way up. Issues arise when this tight structure becomes fragile. We can think of it in a similar thread to leaky gut. What Is The Gut Barrier? In cases of leaky gut, it becomes permeable to larger proteins or pathogens. In short, things from the gut get to places they shouldn’t really be. In leaky skin, the tight structure hasn’t formed, and so potentially harmful compounds can get through the skin layers and go to places they shouldn’t be either. When ours, or our dog’s immune system senses non-self-compounds (those that have gotten through its first line of defence), it mounts an inflammatory response resulting in swelling, itching, pain and so on. If we consider the itchy dog, they gnaw at their paws because they are itchy, this then compromises the skin structure causing further inflammation and so the cycle continues. The other way in which the skin serves to protect is through its microbiome. Not surprisingly when there is dysbiosis in the microbiome of the skin, conditions like atopic dermatitis often ensue. Dysbiosis simply means out of balance. There are good bugs, and bad bugs, and the aim is to keep them in balance. Tackling Atopic Dermatitis In Pets We know that in the canine, there are different species found on different areas of the skin. We also know that the populations found differ between allergic and healthy dogs and that lower diversity is often observed in recurring skin issues in the canine. So, what affects the diversity in the skin microbiome? Colonisation occurs during and immediately after birth. As the newborn puppy moves through the birth canal, he is exposed to a variety of bacteria from the Dam. Once puppy is born and grooming begins, Mum passes even more over to her offspring. What is important to note is that grooming behaviour is significantly reduced in the stressed Mother, and so less microbes are therefore shared with the offspring. This again demonstrates the need to fully research where you have your puppy from. In humans it is thought that the microbiome stabilises somewhat in the first 2-3 years of life, but there isn’t yet a clear answer on this time frame in the canine world. Given the development of a puppy compared to a human child, we can say for certain that those first few months of life are incredibly important. There is also a clear distinction between male and female microbiome, therefore suggesting hormonal influences. This poses food for thought in the neutered pet and how their microbiome is subsequently affected. The environment has a huge impact on the microbiome of the skin. There are noted variations in skin microbial communities between those living rurally and those in urban areas. There is also an increase in chemical use associated with urban living, which also influences the composition of the microbiome. Diversity is significantly reduced with the use of detergents and antibacterial cleaning products. Potentially pathogenic taxa is also increased as there are fewer good guys to keep the bad guys in check. This is why skin issues like acne or dermatitis are deemed western diseases; they simply just aren’t found on the skin of indigenous tribes or on that of individuals from non-industrialised societies. Findings Here Unnecessary use of antibiotics also affects the microbiome, along with excessive use of grooming products and of course nutrition. Does My Dog Have a Gut-Skin Axis? Skin Dysfunction When the physical barrier is broken, non-self-compounds can invade the body, kick-starting an inflammatory response. This results in redness, swelling and so on. These can be pathogens, but they can also be irritants. These irritants need to be managed by the body, but in some cases the burden can be too high and so the body remains in a state of chronic inflammation. This is why removing environmental exposure to toxins is so important in managing skin issues. Does My Pet Need To Detox? Skin issues often go hand in hand with food sensitivities, and so an elimination diet here is essential. Elimination Diets For Dogs But skin issues can also be a result of pain. Some dogs will nibble and chew at
The term allergy is commonly used within the pet nutrition realm. Whilst allergies to cleaning products or compounds in the environment do occur, the true incidence of food allergy in dogs is quite low. Whilst allergies do exist, we tend to see a higher number of intolerances, so what’s the difference and do we need to approach them differently? Let’s take a look at allergies and intolerances in dogs. What is a food allergy? A food allergy or other allergic response is caused by an IgE antibody reacting towards that allergen. IgE binds to mast cells to promote histamine release. In short, the immune system has sensed the particle and wants to get rid of it at all costs. You’ll know the hallmark signs of an allergy if you are unfortunate to suffer with hay fever, but the common symptoms of an allergy include: Itching Hives Swelling Coughing Sneezing/wheezing Watery eyes Anaphylaxis What is a food intolerance? In the case of a food intolerance, we tend to discuss it in terms of IgG. IgG is the work horse antibody; it is the soldier, the memory antibody. This is what gets drafted when your dog is exposed to something they have already figured out a response to. Symptoms usually begin within a few hours of eating the food that your dog is intolerant to but it’s important to note that symptoms can be delayed by up to 48 hours and last for hours or even days, making the offending food especially difficult to pinpoint. IgG’s are mostly raised from the barrier mucosa in the digestive system. After a meal, there are both antibodies and complexes of food antigens bound to specific IgG’s. These complexes are quickly cleared by the reticuloendothelial system. Clinical observations suggest that due to gut inflammation and permeability (leaky gut), the digestive system is unable to digest the proteins effectively which subsequently raises IgG response to certain foods. Chronic intestinal inflammations and permeability are related to and possibly responsible for food IgG sensitivity. A point to note is that 90% of food reactivity comes from IgG’s. Intolerances can be changeable, but allergies tend to be for life and only account for around 10% of food reactivity. The common signs of an intolerance include, and are not limited to: Poor growth in young pets Itching Vomiting Diarrhoea Flatulence Recurring ear issues Acid reflux SIBO Pain or discomfort Loss of appetite As you have gathered there is a glitch in immune function in both allergies and intolerances, but we must also consider the function of the digestive system when we are tackling intolerances. It’s important to note that IgG’s come in different categories but to keep it simple, they are generally defined as cyclic or fixed. A common IgG reaction is cyclic and can take around 3 months to disappear/change. A fixed Intolerance tends to linger for longer and can take around 6 months to disappear/change, what this means is there is no quick fix to support your dog who suffers with intolerances, we’re in it for the long haul. How to Support the Intolerant Dog First of all, we prime and reset the digestive system, and this includes starting with an elimination diet, but also includes gut healing and immune balancing protocols. We follow the 4 R’s. – Remove – carry out an elimination diet. Raw or lightly cooked is the best way to do this. Cooked foods can take pressure off the digestive system, which in these cases is beneficial. Start with novel proteins (proteins your dog’s immune system has not seen before) for example, horse, ostrich, kangaroo and hare are generally well tolerated. Horse is lean too, so a great option if digestive function isn’t where it needs to be, yet. Feed this novel protein for 4-12 weeks. Ideally if you land on a novel protein that helps the itch/digestive discomfort or doesn’t make it any worse, we recommend remaining on this protein for 12 weeks. As we noted this is the time it takes for an intolerance to change. We then introduce other novel proteins – but at no more than one per week and sticking to single source. Treats need to match too! If there are signs of intolerance, then remove that protein and go back to a protein you believe is best tolerated. Notice that it’s called an elimination diet, and not an elimination lifestyle. The overall aim is to eventually maintain a strong diversity in the diet as we know this supports optimal gut health. We would be looking to reintroduce more common proteins as time went on – but this takes time. We also practice the same process when reintroducing any fruit or vegetables – one at a time, over time. It can also be worthwhile opting for a low-histamine approach when reintroducing too. – Repair – support immunity and gut healing. Include ingredients like slippery elm, de-glycerised liquorice, glutamine, and N-acetyl-glucosamine. It is also important to consider how existing medications are affecting gut healing for example, steroid use impairs intestinal absorption which is linked to several gastrointestinal dysfunctions. But, because of their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities, they are often prescribed in cases of allergies or intolerance. Findings here – Restore – optimise microbiome health As the microbiome is key in the development of the immune system, supporting this is essential. However, the introduction of specific pre and probiotic foods or supplements is sometimes best left for a few weeks into your plan, especially when carrying out an elimination diet. There may be probiotics on the market that contain protein sources not indicated on the label – always check with the manufacturer what is contained in their product and indicate that you are carrying out an elimination diet, so you need accurate information. – Replenish Indigestibility of food proteins can also contribute to their antigenic nature, so consider any long-term medication use including proton pump inhibitors which affect gastric acid secretion. Ensuring HCL, pepsin and digestive enzymes are in good
For some dogs, their sensitivities can be year-round. In this instance we are considering their exposure to environmental toxins, the food they eat and how their immune system matured and subsequently functions. For other dogs there is a direct correlation with the time of year. Whilst the sun is shining and anything feels possible for us humans, it can be a miserable time for our seasonally itchy dogs. Many dogs have a sensitivity to grass sap and keeping them off the freshly mown lawn for a couple of days can help keep pesky irritation at bay, but some allergies are a little more complicated. As always, we are available to help you manage any chronic irritation suffered by your dog, but we thought we would give you some of our top tips that can come in handy when managing your seasonally itchy dog. If you would like to understand more of the mechanism of an allergy or sensitivity, then check out the wealth of information in our other blogs: Why Do Allergies in Dogs Develop? Does My Dog Need an Allergy Test? Your Pet’s Immune System Why Allergies and Itching Have Become Such an Epidemic Now, on to our top tips: 1) Support the Gut! As you will know if you read our articles on the immune system and the lymphatic system, in the gut you will find GALT, or gut-associated lymphoid tissue. The digestive tract is heavily laden with lymphocytes, macrophages and other cells that participate in immune responses. An allergy, in essence is an immune response gone bad, so we need to support immune function and that includes the part of the immune system found in the gut. In addition, in a poor functioning digestive system, rogue particles can end up leaking through the barriers. This can be in cases of periodontal disease (bacteria getting into the blood stream from plaque formation) and damage in the tight junctions in the intestinal tract. When this happens, the immune response is called to the area of the rogue particle to get rid of it. These systemic responses can lead to hypersensitivity, leaving the immune system a little too eager to do its job on a body wide level. It is therefore essential to support the barriers in the mouth; ensuring good dental hygiene but also to support the barrier of the gut. Look to lovely gut healing ingredients such as Slippery Elm, De-Glycerised Licorice, Glutamine and N-Acetyl Glucosamine. 7 Steps to Optimal Gut Health for Pets Gut Guardian 2) Consider the overuse of pharmaceutical flea and worm treatments! Whilst there is sometimes a place for the use of pharmaceutical products in high burdens of parasites, we would always advocate the use of wormcount kits to establish any burden of worms before treatment and also the use of flea repellent products over any spot-on or tablet flea treatment. The overuse of certain pharmaceutical products can place an unusual burden on many pathways in the dog’s body, compromising optimal function. It also pays to consider how often you vaccinate your pet. Vaccinosis: Damage Vaccinations Can Cause Your Pet Does My Pet Need to Detox? Natural Flea and Worming Treatments Supporting the liver and lymphatic system is essential during these times, Liver Guard can be great in this instance. Liver Guard 3) Limit Stress! Mast cells have a key role in allergic response; when they detect a substance that isn’t liked by the body, they release histamine and other chemicals into the bloodstream. Histamine makes the blood vessels expand and the surrounding skin itchy and swollen. This is known as degranulation and what’s super interesting is that stress can result in degranulation too! This may explain the red face you feel as you are getting stressed, or if you break out in hives when you’re facing a particularly stressful time in work. If you are working to tackle allergies in your dog, then it is important to remove as many stress triggers as possible, for your dog, but also you. There is this idea of co-regulation of species, that dogs can pick up when we are stressed and we’ll admit, there is nothing more stressful than seeing our dogs suffer and feeling that we aren’t getting anywhere with fixing it! It can pay to establish our own levels of stress when we are managing a poorly pooch. Check out our perceived stress scale in the following blog to help you understand your own stress levels. 5 Tips For Dealing with a Fussy Eater Calm Complex br] 4) Rinse your dog, but not wash! If you suspect your dog may have sensitivities to certain grasses or pollen, rinse their paws, undercarriage, and chest after walks. You can also wipe their muzzle, ears, and face with a damp microfibre cloth when you get home too. But avoid over-shampooing your dog. Whilst you may opt for non-toxic products, washing can skew the microbiome found on the skin of your dog and this provides a first line of defence for the immune response. The skin has its own community of microbes that can engulf and destroy pesky ones before they have chance to cause problems; frequent bathing can alter this community. So, rinse your dog to remove potential irritants, but keep the shampoo for special occasions, like fox poo events. Your Puppy’s Microbiome 5) Essential Fatty Acids Are Just That! Allergies and sensitivities are an immune response and inflammation is the hallmark of an immune response. Inflammation is a necessary process in the body, but we need just enough to solve the problem at hand. We have compounds necessary to kick start the inflammatory response, and we have compounds that reign it back in again. What we often find is that there are more compounds around to perpetuate inflammation, and not enough to reign it back in! Therefore, it can help to fill up on foods to regulate the inflammatory response. Omega-3 is a fatty acid that has regularly been linked inflammation regulation.
Possibly one of the most common ailments that we find in the dog world – some dogs just seem to react to everything! But, if we know how allergies and sensitivities develop, is it something we can tackle? Let’s take a look and consider some top tips to support your dog’s health. What is a dog allergy? An allergy is an unnecessary immune response to an innocuous substance. True allergies are often fatal. More often than not we are faced with sensitivities – which are still an immune response. What is the immune system? The purpose of the immune system is to defend itself and keep microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi out of the body and then destroy any if they happen to get in. It has three lines of defence. The innate immune system provides the first line of defence; broadly divided into physical/chemical barriers. The physical barriers include the skin and the lining of the digestive and respiratory tract. You can think of the body like a sausage; the skin, keeps everything in, but also things out. Chemical barriers include tears and saliva along with gastric acid. But also, the microbiome – which is the community of microbes found in the mouth, lungs, gut and on the skin. We then have the innate immune system – which is for want of a better phrase a row of white blood cells (and other participants) that engulf and destroy invaders. The third defence is acquired or adaptive immunity – this is the memory bank. The cells involved in this response help the body remember antigens that it has encountered before – so it can mount a quicker response before the harmful pathogen causes any damage. The immune system is trained to recognise its own cells as self and leave them to do their jobs. It is trained to recognise anything that isn’t self and attack it. When it works, it works brilliantly and, well, us and our dogs survive. But, it can get a little too enthusiastic and start responding to things it doesn’t really need to. This is what we see as autoimmunity, but also allergies and sensitivities and there are a number of reasons for this. Allergies and Sensitivities First of all, we may be dealing with an immature immune system, and this all starts back in puppyhood. When we talk about immune responses, we tend to reference Th1 and Th2. They are both necessary responses, but a Th2 response is more commonly associated with allergy. During pregnancy, a strong Th2 response is present to reduce the risk of miscarriage. What this means is that puppies are born with a Th2 dominance. This then needs to be balanced and the way in which this occurs is through microbial exposure. This is what we know as immune tolerance – the immune systems develop through exposure to controlled challenge. The immune system is like a computer; it has software, but it needs data. The microbial ecosystem in various mucosal sites is important for the development of the immune system. The young gastrointestinal tract is colonised soon after birth by a variety of commensal bacteria that influence the development of the immune response both in the gut and systemically. The mucosal immune system in the gut must avoid adverse immune responses to dietary antigens and commensals in the new microbial ecosystem while remaining able to mount an effective response to pathogenic organisms. In an ideal world, our pets will develop a heathy immune system, and they will have sufficient immune tolerance but also eliminate threats when necessary. But we don’t always live in an ideal world. Gut Guardian br] So what else can cause issues with immune responses? Often allergies and sensitivities are associated with poor barrier function; so there may be damaged or broken skin, a poor microbiome, or damage to the integrity of the gut. Think of it like an army. If you have a row of soldiers who are standing shoulder to shoulder, you stand a good chance against the enemy. Once soldiers start falling, opportunities arise for the enemy to get through. When skin is damaged, antigens spot their opportunity and sneak in through the gaps. The same occurs in the gut. Cells sit tightly together, but when cell integrity fails, under digested food particles and pathogens see their opportunity and sneak out into circulation. The immune system spots these particles – realises they shouldn’t be there, so mounts a response. Inflammation is a key part of this response. The issue is when the barrier remains compromised, more particles sneak through and so you end up in a chronic state of inflammation. Barrier dysfunction can occur for a number of reasons: Genetic glitches Microbiome dysbiosis Long-term use of medication Toxins Environmental exposure Detoxification Pathways The more inflammatory compounds you have in the presence of a response, the more anti-inflammatory compounds you will need to counter this response. There will also be a heightened need for compounds that break down inflammatory molecules like histamine. Those suffering with allergic disease often have a higher baseline of histamine, and so clearance of this is important too. What this means is that detoxification pathways need to be running as smoothly as possible. Liver Guard Detoxification of dietary histamine normally occurs in intestinal epithelial cells via the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) as well as histamine-N-methyltransferase (HNMT) in the liver. What’s interesting is that there are polymorphisms in the genes that code for the DAO enzyme, but certain medications, including over the counter products are seen to inhibit the activity of DAO enzyme too. They include: Analgesics – morphine, NSAIDs Antiarrhythmics Antibiotics Antifungals Antimalarial Diuretics Motility agents Muscle relaxants Vitamins – ascorbic acid, thiamine In addition, detoxification pathways in general are nutrient demanding and they also produce a high number of free radicals. Sufficient levels of key vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, C, E, B1, B2, B3 and iron, along with cysteine are essential. Does My Pet Need To
Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is defined as a disturbance in bowel habits along with abdominal pain, in the absence of known organic pathology. What this means is that on paper, there is no apparent reason for the symptoms. There is no bacterial or viral agent present, and biopsies of the intestine generally show no inflammation or cancer. So, what on earth is going on? Let’s look at IBS in dogs in a little more detail. IBS and IBD Irritable bowel syndrome is different to inflammatory bowel disease, but both manifest similar symptoms. Both cause diarrhoea, constipation, and abdominal pain. But in cases of IBD you may also notice vomiting. The difference is when biopsies of the intestine are carried out in cases of IBD, there are inflammatory cells present. IBS tends to occur in episodes, where IBD is chronic. As gastro symptoms tend to overlap between conditions, it’s essential to get to the bottom of what your dog may be suffering with. IBS in Dogs IBS is a multi-factorial disorder with various contributing factors including: Motility issues Visceral hypersensitivity Altered intestinal microbiota It is considered that diet and stress exposure play the largest role in this disorder. Stress and IBS Study after study indicate that patients with IBS have been noted to exhibit disturbances in the brain-gut axis (GBA). The GBA is a bidirectional neurohumoral communication system that integrates brain and gastrointestinal functions, such as gut motility, appetite, and weight, and not surprisingly the microbiota plays a critical role. Disruption of the physiologic symbiotic relationship between the host and the microbiota is called dysbiosis and is regarded a basic factor for initiating and maintaining IBS in many patients. In a human study, subjects with IBS and who experienced pain had over 5-fold less Bifidobacterium compared to those without pain. The general school of thought currently, is that in cases of IBS there is an increase in pathogenic bacterial species together with a decrease in probiotic species. This dysbiotic microbiota is thought to influence the function of the GBA, and subsequently contribute to IBS symptoms. Diet and IBS Many symptoms can appear to be triggered by certain foods, but here we need to take an overarching look at the inflammatory state in the body. If we have an over-zealous, or under-mature immune system, certain foods will be problematic. A Guide to Inflammation in Pets Elimination Diets For Dogs IBS and Stress IBS is a stress-sensitive disorder and again we can look at the role of the microbiota here. The gut microbiota appears to influence the development of emotional behaviour, stress and pain modulation systems along with brain neurotransmitter systems. Additionally, microbial alterations by probiotics and antibiotics exert modulatory effects on some of these functions. A healthy microbiota plays a critical role in the development of appropriate stress responses. In early life, colonisation with beneficial microorganisms needs to occur to ensure a normal development of the core stress axis. On the other side of the scale, stress can also influence the composition of the microbiota, increasing pathogenic load significantly. What’s interesting is that in human studies, adults with IBS report having an insecure emotional attachment style and recall higher rates of recurrent abdominal pain and symptoms of separation anxiety in childhood. This early life stress could be a contributing factor to their IBS symptoms. Findings Here So, how can we support our dog with IBS? 1) Stress Support Is your dog stressed? Or have they had early life experiences that were particularly stressful? It can be helpful to sit down and create a timeline of your dog’s life and identify major events. Alongside this you can identify when any new symptoms started. Using Nutrition to Support the Stressed Dog Can Stress Affect My Dog’s Digestive System 2) Support Your Dog’s GBA Axis It seems the GBA plays a larger role in IBS symptoms than we originally thought, so take a look at the role it plays. Thankfully, there are a number of things that we can do to optimise gut health and support our dog’s GBA. Does My Dog Have a Gut-Brain-Axis? 3) Support Liver Health There are links between IBS and liver health due to the disruption of the entero-hepatic circulation of bile acids (which is also influenced by the microbiota). To support liver health we need to reduce exposure to toxins and support detoxification systems as much as possible. Does My Pet Need To Detox? 4 Superfoods for Liver Health in Dogs 4) Support a Healthy Microbiome We don’t yet know what the perfect microbiome consists of, but we do know that in cases of IBS we seem to see higher numbers of pathogenic bacteria compared to beneficial. For this reason it’s important to promote a healthy microbiome. What Can Cause Gut Dysbiosis? What Can Help Gut Dysbiosis? Prebiotics Vs. Probiotics Sadly, the symptoms of IBS overlap with many other gastro symptoms, so it’s important to establish what is truly going on for your dog. That said, these 4 tips are great to support digestive health in dogs, no matter what you are facing. If your dog is suffering with their digestive health and you would like some support, then please check out our services to see how we can help. Thanks for reading, MPN Team
We can think of the gut like a roundabout; it has links to every system in the body. We have already explored the link between the gut and skin health, now we want to take a closer look at what we know as the gut-brain axis or GBA. This concept has gained traction over the last few decades and for good reason, but the question on everyone’s tongue… Does my dog have a gut-brain axis and what does this mean? Let’s see if we can answer that question. What is the Gut-Brain Axis? The gut-brain axis (GBA) consists of bidirectional communication between the nervous system, linking emotional and cognitive centres of the brain with intestinal functions. But research is indicating the importance of gut microbiota in influencing these interactions. The interaction between microbiota and the GBA appears to be bidirectional, through signalling from gut-microbiota to brain and vice versa. It is thought that this occurs in many ways, including neural, endocrine, immune, and humoral links. Neural Links Increasing evidence has found that the vagus nerve, a major neural connection between the gut and brain, plays a key role in facilitating signalling along the microbiota-gut-brain axis. The vagus nerve is the tenth of twelve pairs of cranial nerves found in the peripheral nervous system. Cranial nerves mainly innervate anatomical structures of the head and neck, but the vagus nerve is the exception to this rule; it extends from the brainstem through the neck and the thorax down to the abdomen. Because of its long reach throughout the body, it is often described as the “wandering nerve.” In the neck, the vagus nerve innervates the pharynx and larynx which are responsible for swallowing and vocalisation. In the thorax, it is the chief parasympathetic supply to the heart – this is what reduces our heart rate when we are recovering from a stressful stimulus. In the intestine, the vagus nerve regulates smooth muscle contraction and many secretory functions. The vagus nerve provides a critical link between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system; the enteric nervous system is like the digestive system’s own nervous system – one that us or our dogs have little conscious control over. The vagus nerve link was largely established through studies utilising a surgical procedure known as a vagotomy which cuts or removes the vagus nerve to identify any resulting implications. Surgical vagotomy has been used to investigate the physiological role of the vagus nerve since the early 19th century. Surgical vagotomy has historically been carried out in humans to treat peptic ulcers. The procedure reduces stomach acid through its denervation of the cells that produce it. In more recent years, these procedures are less common, with patients opting for pharmaceutical alternatives. But what is interesting are the common side effects of vagotomy in humans which include interference with gastric emptying, increased and dysfunctional bowel movements and nutrient malabsorption resulting in deficiency. We almost found out about the role of the vagus nerve in digestive function by accident. The vagus nerve provides a link between the internal organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, and the central nervous system, with 80-90% of fibres being afferent (transmitting to the central nervous system) and 10-20% transmitting signals in the other direction, being efferent. The vagotomy procedure has implicated the gut-brain axis in cases of depression, stress resilience and anxiety. Vagus Nerve Signalling Within the small and large intestine you will find vagal afferents (nerve endings). These afferents can detect stretch and tension (how much food is in the gut), but they can also detect chemicals being absorbed across the epithelial layer. But what’s super interesting is that bacteria in the gut produce metabolites and neurotransmitters which can act directly on vagus nerve endings too! These nerve endings notice the metabolites and neurotransmitters and relay to the brain. We have found this through bacterial supplementation – for example, when certain bacteria are infused directly into the large intestine, vagal firing alters. So we know we can alter vagal firing through the population of bacteria found in the gut, but in our dogs, massage is gaining great traction at modulating vagus nerve function. Endocrine Links There is increasing evidence that suggests the gut as an endocrine organ, largely through its ability to produce and regulate multiple compounds that reach systemic circulation and subsequently act to influence the function of distal organs and systems. The biochemical complexity of the gut microbiota exceeds that of the brain, and many of the hormones produced by the microbiota are also neurotransmitters within the central nervous system. For example, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the most important inhibitory transmitter in the brain is produced by several lactobacilli bacteria and monoamines such as noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin are also produced by certain strains of bacteria. We must also consider the role of the HPA axis. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) is the main stress response system. It is the neuroendocrine link between perceived stress and physiological reactions to stress. The use of germ-free animals has provided one of the most significant insights into the role of the microbiota in regulating the development of the HPA axis. It has been found that germ-free animals suffer aberrant responses to stress, but when they are then colonised with specific pathogen free faecal matter, their stress response becomes more balanced. Researchers have concluded that the microbial content of the gut is critical to the development of an appropriate stress response later in life and that there is a narrow window in early life where colonisation must occur to ensure normal development of the HPA axis. Immune Links Numerous studies in recent years investigating the gut-brain axis have demonstrated an important role for the gut microbiota in modulating brain development and function, with the immune system serving as an important coordinator of these interactions. Germ-free animals have regularly demonstrated that role of the microbiota in proper maturation of the immune system and immune regulation within the central nervous system is mediated by microglia, astrocytes, and
