A common query here at My Pet Nutritionist, is the reasoning behind why a dog or cat may sneeze so often, and how to stop it. In this blog, we will look deeper into the reasons pets may sneeze, and what we can do to help them. Excitement The excited sneeze…. Yes, it is a thing! Have you ever been greeted by your dog doing short sneezes when you’ve returned home? If so, don’t panic! Another excitement related sneeze you may witness as a dog owner, is a very strange part of doggie communication. It’s a calming signal. Dogs display calming signals when they are comfortable with a situation, or ready for play – this is when they sneeze! Other calming signals include yawning, lip licking, turning the head to the side, and many other not-so-obvious cues; these often display discomfort, and tell other dogs “I need to slow down a bit”, or “I’m uncomfortable in this situation”. Environmental Allergies/Hayfever Common through certain times of the year, especially in the summer months, environmental allergies can cause a variety of issues, from respiratory problems (including sneezing) to contact/skin allergies. Just like us humans, dogs and cats can get hayfever too, and of course, sneezing is a symptom. So what can we do to help those suffering with environmental allergies? Work on gut health; most of the immune system is in the gut, so gut health is just as important for environmental allergies as it is dietary allergies and intolerances! Check out our canine gut health supplement, Gut Guardian here! Feed fresh food! Dry food can contain various microscopic moulds, storage mites and aflatoxins which can lead to environmental allergies. Consider a quercetin supplement; this is a natural antihistamine! Findings Here Findings Here Nasal tumour Nasal tumours, known as Nasal Adenosarcinomas can be a reason for a dog or cat excessively sneezing. This will usually be paired with bloody discharge, and snoring during sleep. Nasal Adenocarcinomas are 50% more common in dogs than they are in cats. This type of tumour is usually found in older dogs, and can be a very aggressive tumour. Though it rarely spreads from the nasal passage, it can spread to lymph nodes, brain and lungs. Seeking veterinary attention is crucial. It’s thought that nasal tumours could be as a result of environmental pollutants including household cleaning products, car and tobacco fumes, and others often faced in an urban environment. Dog breeds such as the Airedale Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Poodle, Beagle, Collie, German Shepherd and Labrador are genetically predisposed to Nasal Adenosarcinomas. In order to help those suffering with nasal tumours: Switch to natural cleaning products Try to avoid further unnecessary exposure to other environmental toxins by walking in more rural places Follow veterinary oncologists advice Check out our cancer guides! (part 1, part 2 and part 3) Findings Here Findings Here Foreign object Foreign objects can be easily lodged inside a dog’s nose – they do spend much of their day sniffing, after all! A particularly annoying, but very common, foreign body often found inside the nasal passage is a pesky grass seed! These get stuck in dogs noses quite regularly, and due to their barbed shape, they’re very difficult to dislodge, and easily work their way further into the nose. What to do if you suspect your dog has a foreign body in their nose: Seek veterinary assistance! The nose is a sensitive area, and it’s crucial not to mess with it at home! Try to avoid letting your dog sniff in seeding grasses. Scatter feed in snuffle matts and other dog-nose-friendly items! Findings Here Findings Here Reverse sneezing This one is a common one – and can be quite concerning at first! It’s scientific name is paroxysmal respiration, and it is caused by irritation of the soft palate, or a muscular spasm in the back of the throat, where the passageway splits into the trachea and windpipe. Reverse sneezing presents as rapid inhalation while making a snorting noise; almost as if the dog is sneezing inwards, as opposed to expelling air. While this can affect any breed, those who are overweight or are brachycephalic may be more prone to it happening. So what can we do to reduce the risk of this happening? Use a harness to reduce pressure on the neck area Keep your dog at an ideal bodyweight Try to keep your dog as calm as possible Explore BOAS if your dog is brachycephalic and this happens regularly Look into helping your dog with possible environmental allergies (read above) How do you stop reverse sneezing when it’s happening? Method 1: gently hold the dog’s head up, and rub the neck to make the dog swallow Method 2: gently cover the dog’s nostrils to make the dog breathe deeply Findings Here BOAS Brachycephalic Obstructive Airways Syndrome is a condition suffered by many brachycephalic individuals, whereby one or more of the breathing pathways are compromised due to the anatomy of the dog or cat’s snout, head and neck. Sneezing, particularly reverse sneezing, is common in those suffering with BOAS when their soft palate is too long. The irritation to the soft palate causes the sneeze. Those with such breeds may wish to seek veterinary assistance, and have a BOAS grading, and possibly surgery to correct the compromised pathways. Findings Here Findings Here Kennel Cough/Upper Respiratory Infections Much like a common cold in us humans, bacterial upper respiratory infections (URI) and kennel cough can present as wheezing, sneezing, and coughing. Those suffering with mild to severe URIs, or severe cases of Kennel Cough may require antibiotics. Most dogs do recover from kennel cough by themselves. If your dog is given the Bordatella (kennel cough) vaccine, it’s important not to rule out kennel cough as a possible reason for your dog’s symptoms – the vaccine does not always stop the dog from contracting it! Read more on the kennel cough vaccine here! How can we support a dog with kennel cough? If the dog has
Has your dog had, or been recently diagnosed with gallstones? While they’re not a massively common condition, we do help many dogs with gallstones, here at My Pet Nutritionist. Understandably, owners may be concerned upon news of this diagnosis, so we hope this article helps you understand the condition, and puts your mind more at ease. What Are Gallstones? Gallstones can be found in the gallbladder; a pear shaped organ, located just beneath the liver. The gallbladder is a very important part of the digestive system. It stores bile, which is produced by the liver, and is responsible for digesting fat in the diet. Gallstones are balls of matter, usually made of cholesterol, and hardened bile that form in the gallbladder, blocking it’s ability to secrete bile. Gallstones can be any size from the size of a dust particle, to the size of a ping pong ball! Findings Here Symptoms of Gallstones There are a multitude of symptoms that may present when your dog has gallstones. Let’s take a look at these! ‘downward dog’ yoga pose; this shows a painful abdomen Nausea and vomiting Rapid weight loss Lack of appetite Diarrhoea; can be bloody Jaundice (a yellow tinge to the skin) High body temperature If your dog has any of, or a number of these symptoms, raise this with your veterinarian. How Do They Happen? Poor Digestion Pets with digestive issues may be at risk of gallstone formatsion. Poor digestion can lead to low stomach acid, which can massively affect gallbladder health. In order for the gallbladder to release bile, the stomach needs to be acidic. Lack of stomach acid causes a decrease in bile production. Findings Here Poor Diet Those eating a high fat diet may be at a higher risk of developing gallstones, as the high fat content puts pressure on the gallbladder. When the gallbladder is under the pressure of high levels of fat, it becomes inflamed, and production of the necessary amounts of bile becomes difficult, leading to the formation of gallstones. Feeding a dry food may also contribute to the formation of gallstones, as the fat content of may dry foods, on a dry matter basis, is often high/concentrated. Most kibbles are sprayed with fats and oils at the end of the production line to enhance flavour and palatability. Findings Here Stress Stress hormones have a huge impact on the development of gallstones. When stressed, the liver releases higher amounts of cholesterol, due to the higher production of energy during periods of stress or anger. This increased amount of cholesterol can easily lead to gallstones, as the gallbladder is unable to produce sufficient amounts of bile to digest the excess cholesterol. Findings Here How Are They Diagnosed? If gallstones are suspected in your dog, your veterinarian will want to carry out various tests. An X-Ray will be obtained of your dog’s stomach area, to visually detect any potential masses in the gallbladder, and potential cirrhosis of the liver. A urinalysis will be performed; this is when the vet takes a urine sample and analyses it to look for excess fats in the urine. These results may flag an issue with the gallbladder. Finally, bloodwork will be carried out to look for any abnormal values which may point toward the reduced function of one of the body’s organs. What Negative Effects Can Gallstones Cause? Cholestasis occurs as a result of gallstones blocking the bile duct entirely. This blockage requires surgical removal. When the gallbladder is blocked, absorption of vitamin D and Calcium becomes poor, as well as the aforementioned symptoms. Acute Pancreatitis is also a risk posed to those with gallstones. Gallstones can exit the gallbladder and cause blockages in the bile duct, which ultimately blocks pancreatic enzymes from entering the small intestine. These enzymes are forced back into the pancreas, which creates immense inflammation to the organ, leading to the onset of acute pancreatitis. Findings Here Findings Here What Treatments Are Available? Generally speaking, surgery is usually the main option when treating a dog with gallstones. Some mild cases may get away with having IV Therapy, whereby the dog is hooked up to an Intravenous drip, designed to flush the gallstones from the gallbladder. The patients will usually be prescribed a high protein, low fat diet moving forward… this is where supporting the body naturally comes in! Read on! How Can We Support the Body Naturally? Feed Fresh As with any condition, we always recommend feeding fresh food, here at My Pet Nutritionist; whether that’s raw, or cooked. Balancing the fat content in Fresh food is much than in dry food, and is not sprayed with fats and oils during production, adding to the overall fat content. Fresh food is also high in moisture, and generally better for digestion and gut motility than dry food, making it the ideal option for those with gallstones in their medical history. Feed Low Fat Feeding low fat is also essential for those suffering from gallstones, due to gallstones being solidified lumps of cholesterol. As the gallbladder is unable to produce enough bile to digest the fats consumed in the diet, fatty deposits will begin to build up, which is especially dangerous for the body’s organs. Find our low fat recipes below! Low Fat Fish Low Fat Venison Low Fat Horse Low Fat Kangaroo Dandelion Dandelion has many health benefits for your dog! One benefit being that it’s a fantastic digestive aid. When suffering from gallstones, digestive support is crucial. Dandelion stimulates the production of digestive juices, which are ever so important when it comes to gallbladder health, and gallstone prevention. Dandelion is also a great natural anti-inflammatory. This is beneficial for those suffering from gallstones or poor gallbladder health in general, to reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis occurring. The root of the dandelion plant is also a diuretic, bringing benefits to the liver, which includes increasing circulation in the liver, resulting in an increase in bile production. Findings Here Burdock Root A more unusual vegetable, burdock,
Immunity is no doubt at the forefront of most pet owner’s minds. Everyone wants their pets to live a long and healthy life, so keeping a strong immune system is essential. Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we help many pet owners through their own experiences of disease in their pets, so we thought we would put together this blog on the cornerstones for a strong immune system in your pets. 1. Gut Health Gut health is key to general health of all species, whether it be human, canine, feline, or even smaller furry pets! Virtually all aspects of health can be improved through good gut heath. Around 70% of the immune system is found in the gut! Quite a staggering figure, but a very important fact to keep in mind when it comes to our pets’ health. In an unhealthy gut, the immune system becomes massively impaired, leading to a potential multitude of health issues, including those allergy dogs we so often help here at My Pet Nutritionist. Many things can damage the gut, including chemical flea and worm treatments, poor diets which are processed and/or high in ingredients containing lectin, contact with household and garden chemicals and much more. It’s imperative to gut health, to feed fresh, and limit the exposure to all toxins! Using a mucilage herb for those with damaged guts, helps to heal the gut; these include slippery elm, marshmallow root, and deglycyrrhised liquorice. Teaming these with a probiotic allows the gut to flourish, as a damaged gut will leak the good bacteria which forms a large part of the immune system. Gut Guardian 2. Methylation DNA Methylation is a very important chemical process within the body. This process includes the chemical modification of DNA during replication of cells. Gene expression can be altered through methylation too. So, why is this process an important part of keeping the immune system strong? Various malignant cells, including those for lymphoid cells (produces immune cells B, T and NK) and myeloid cells (related health issues, such as Mast Cells) replicate through a process called hematopoiesis, making these cells ‘hematopoietic stem cells’ (HSCs). Myeloid cells are not ones we want replicating in the body, as they can lead to various types of tumour. Here’s where the process of Methylation comes in to play! Methylation has the ability to regulate HSC differentiation – in other words, it reduces the risk of the Myeloid cells replicating, and forming tumours, but increases differentiation of lymphoid cells. For more information on the types of cells involved in immune responses, read our blog here! Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here 3. Healthy Brain and Endocrine System The Endocrine System is what keeps the body’s organs in good health, through homeostasis. The endocrine system and immune system used to be thought to work independently from one another, but more recently, it was discovered that the two systems work hand in hand to keep the body healthy, and control infection. The immune system uses a mixture of immune receptors and cytokines to fight infection, and the endocrine system uses hormones to regulate metabolism in the body’s organs. As an example, one of the most important regulations aided by both systems, is the metabolism of glucose. Insulin is produced by the endocrine system to regulate glucose levels in the blood, and helps the body to fight infection. Cytokines aid the body during glucose spikes by increasing responsiveness of the peripheral organs to the endocrine system. When the organ becomes more responsive to the signals from the endocrine system, greater amounts of the required hormone can be produced. The brain produces so many important hormones for health of the body, and to help fight a variety of infections, so it is important to keep the brain healthy and free from inflammation. Supplementing your pet’s diet with plenty of omega 3 is a great way to keep inflammation down. To read more about the endocrine system, and the importance of hormones, read our blog here! Findings Here Findings Here 4. Circulation and Lymphatics The lymphatic and circulatory systems are an important part of immunity, and keeping the immune system strong. The lymphatic system is responsible for draining excess fluid from bodily tissues, removing cellular waste, absorption of fat soluble vitamins from dietary sources, and helping to fight infections. The circulatory system works with the lymphatic system to transport the cellular waste and excess fluid around the body, and away from the relative organs. The interstitial fluid (found between tissues) is what provides the body’s cells with important nutrients, and a way of removing any waste from the cells. The lymphatic system acts as a taxi for antigens and antigen-presenting cells to transport them through the body to places of infection. This enables the antigens to fight the infection in question, and expel waste. Findings Here Findings Here 5. Detoxification Finally, detoxification is essential for immune health. The body is exposed to a host of toxins, just by going through daily life. We live, generally, in a very toxic world, so detoxifying the body is essential. Detoxification aids methylation, which as discussed above, is a very important process for a strong immune system. Liver Guard Heavy metals can be picked up and consumed very easily in our pets – traces can be found in food, and heavy metals are also in abundance in vaccinations. Those who have received vaccinations during their lives, whether only one has been given at an appropriate age as a puppy, or they’re given regularly (if given regularly, over vaccination occurs, making the risk of vaccinosis higher; read more here) the likelihood that your pet has heavy metals in the bloodstream is high. Heavy metals disrupt metabolic functions in vital organs, as well as reducing the ability to efficiently absorb vitamins and minerals from dietary sources. Detoxification can be achieved through feeding a fresh, preferably organic diet, minimising exposure to environmental and veterinary toxins, occasionally offering Epsom salt baths, supplementing the diet with milk thistle (this
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we often get dog owners wondering why their dog is often sick. In this blog we will explore the reasons a dog may vomit. Acid reflux One of the most common problems we tend to see here at My Pet Nutritionist, is Acid Reflux. Acid Reflux usually occurs due to low stomach acid levels, which cause the mixture of partially digested food (scientifically known as Chyme) to sit in the stomach. Other than sickness, other symptoms of Acid Reflux include: Lip or air licking Burping Stretching the head back Gurgling stomach Bad breath Increased salivation To read more on Acid Reflux, read our guide: Natural Guide for Acid Reflux in Dogs BOAS Brachycephalic Obstructive Airways Syndrome is a condition suffered by many brachycephalic breeds, including pugs, French bulldogs, English bulldogs, and many others. We see this condition a huge amount of the time in such breeds, and most require surgery to be able to breathe properly. Sickness is often a symptom of BOAS, as due to the poor conformation of the airways, regurgitation is common. As the dog struggles to breathe, there’s a negative pressure created, which often causes acid reflux, and therefore, sickness. If your dog is a brachycephalic breed, and snores, breathes noisily, brings up phlegm, is regularly sick, is unable to regulate body temperature, and/or sleeps with their head propped, or with a toy in their mouth, it is highly advisable to get them booked in with a soft tissue specialist as soon as possible. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Hunger Pukes Usually yellow in colour, or foamy, hunger pukes happen when the stomach is empty for too long, causing bile to be excreted. They usually happen overnight. This is common in puppies, and older dogs, but many adult dogs also suffer from them. Some dogs are happy to eat once a day, but others must eat at least twice per day in order to stop hunger pukes happening. Those who suffer with hunger pukes may be given a small snack before bed to ensure there’s something in the stomach overnight until the next meal. Findings Here Findings Here Sickness Bugs/Gastroenteritis Probably the most obvious reason for sickness, viral or bacterial stomach bugs often spread through the dog population. While sickness bugs are usually not the cause of ongoing sickness episodes, they can cause imbalances to the gut microbiome, which can result in regular episodes of sickness. If your dog has a sickness bug, ensure to feed small, but frequent portions of bland food such as sweet potato and cooked chicken, turkey or white fish. Many veterinarians recommend feeding rice as part of a bland diet; here’s why we don’t! Bone broth can be a great addition to the regime of a dog recovering from a sickness bug as it is packed full of nutrients, and can also stimulate the dog’s appetite. Findings Here Giardia/Worms Internal parasites may be a cause of your dog’s ongoing sickness. It’s super important to carry out regular wormcounts, even if you chemically treat for worms as these are not preventatives. Giardia is a protozoan parasite, and can be tricky to get rid of. If diagnosis is not very soon after contraction of the parasite, giardia can cause giardiasis, which is a condition where cysts form on the gut, causing major gut damage, and subsequent episodes of sickness and diarrhoea. Dogs who have suffered from giardiasis may require a cooked diet over a raw one, and will require a lot of gut work using a mucilage herb which suits the individual dog. Many do very well on Marshmallow Root. Findings Here Findings Here Poor Gut Health Blockages Blockages and stenosis (walls closing) in the gut can cause sickness. Where food is unable to properly digest due to a blockage, the chyme sits in the stomach, and is often expelled from the mouth. Blockages require a veterinary check up immediately; so if you suspect one, please seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible. Findings Here Allergies/Intolerances A common topic here at My Pet Nutritionist, dogs with intolerances and allergies will often show sickness as a symptom of an item of food disagreeing with them. During a reaction, the body creates an inflammatory response, which also affects the stomach, and therefore causing sickness. Not all dogs who suffer from allergies or intolerances are sick as part of their symptoms, but many individuals are. Leaky Gut When the gut is damaged, so many parts of the body can be negatively affected. When a patient has Leaky Gut, the barrier cells in the gut wall which usually keep it tightly closed, begin to open so a space forms between them, allowing for food particles and toxins to leak into the bloodstream. Because toxins leak from the gut, nausea is a common symptom of leaky gut, and so sickness is not uncommon in those suffering with it. To learn more about leaky gut, read our blog here! Unsuitable Diet Feeding the wrong diet for your dog may be a huge contributing factor as to why your dog may be regularly sick. The pet food market can seem like such a minefield, especially when large dry food companies often have a great marketing team at the helm. While every dog is an individual, and what suits one best may not be the best option for the next dog, there are some reasons why feeding a dry food diet long-term could cause recurrent episodes of sickness. Kibble is extremely drying on the body. To enable good gut motility, moisture in the diet is incredibly important. Most kibbles are around 10% or less moisture, which contributes to the inability to shift the food efficiently through the digestive tract. When it sits in the stomach for extended periods of time, it is very often expelled as vomit. The high carbohydrate content of kibble may also cause sickness as such carbs are not easily digestible for our canine counterparts, causing them to sit in the
Ever been in the situation where your dog is struggling to poop? You’re certainly not alone – here at My Pet Nutritionist, we have put together this guide with information on how constipation happens, and solutions to help prevent further issues, and get the gut moving again! Diet Dry Food Dry food is incredibly low in moisture, which puts strain on many systems within the body, including the bowel. Kibble products are 8-10% moisture, which dehydrates the bowel. When the bowel dehydrates, gut motility becomes poor, which causes constipation. Raw food is 65-75% moisture, so is a much better choice! Dry food is also typically low in fibre compared to fresh diets. Lack of fibre is another contributing factor to poor gut motility. Raw food bone content Those who feed a raw diet to their pets, will know the basic guidelines for making up a raw diet are 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, and 10% offal, plus your plant matter (if suitable for your dog), omegas and other healthy extras. Some dogs don’t tolerate the 10% bone. This could be down to genetics, or simply because the gut needs some work after an abrupt transition from the previous diet. To improve gut health, you may need to add slippery elm or marshmallow root into the regime, alongside a probiotic. For those who just cannot tolerate the 10% bone, you may wish to dilute the bone in the food using boneless raw mince, or even switch to a boneless complete, of which there are a few brands on the market. Alternatively, you can use our recipes. The calcium rich substitute for bone in such products and recipes include Bone Meal, Egg Shell, Kale and calcium-rich seaweed. Specially formulated diets will include the correct amount of specific sources of calcium, whether it be plant material, or through the aforementioned supplements, dependent on the protein source used in the recipe. Some brands tend to have slightly higher bone contents than others despite being labelled as 80-10-10. It’s always worth trying other brands if your dog starts becoming constipated. Protein choices also make a difference regarding the bone content. As an example, a common protein we see dogs constipated on, is rabbit. Rabbits have soft bones (which contain low amounts of calcium), and hard bones (like other bones typical of mammals). Because the softer bones contain less calcium, more bone is often required to hit the minimum FEDIAF guidelines for calcium content, which can cause some dogs to become constipated. If you have this issue, either dilute the bone by substituting a small amount of the raw for boneless mince, looking at changing proteins, or feeding half rabbit 80-10-10, and half other 80-10-10. Those feeding DIY raw instead of premade raw foods, may need to give a day or two of boneless meals (just the muscle meat and offal) following a bone-heavy day. Watching the dogs’ bowel movements is a great way to keep track of what the dog needs in the next meal. Ideas to help get things moving again: Add leafy greens or green beans to the meal Replace a little of the premade diet with boneless mince Add Slippery Elm or Marshmallow Root to the meal Add cooked sweet potato or pumpkin to the meal. Fibre The fibre content and type, your dog is consuming can directly affect bowel movements. First, let’s take a look at the types of dietary fibre and what they contribute to bowel movements. Soluble Fibre: this type of fibre dissolves into water. When it dissolves, a gel substance is formed. Generally speaking, having too much soluble fibre in the diet can reduce movement in the bowel and lead to constipation. Sources include apple, carrots and psyllium husk. Psyllium husk is an exception to the rule of thumb that adding soluble fibres will contribute to constipation as it binds water excess water in the gut, which helps soften stools, as well as solidify them. Insoluble fibre: this type of fibre is found mostly in vegetables, especially in leafy greens. Insoluble fibre helps bulk out stools, and aid movement through the digestive tract. Adding insoluble fibre can also be very useful in the management of anal glands. Ideas to help get things moving again: Add leafy greens or green beans to the meal Add psyllium husk to the meal Add cooked sweet potato to the meal Foreign Object Blockages It is incredibly important to have blockages ruled out by the veterinarian, especially if your dog goes for a long period without defecating, has diarrhoea while straining, is vomiting as well as constipated, is lethargic and has a loss of appetite. All, or even just some, of these symptoms may point toward a blockage, also known as an obstruction in the veterinary world. Obstructions can be anything from impacted bone to parts of toys, cooked bones, and rawhide chews (which should both always be avoided!), or other indigestible items which are unable to pass through the digestive system. The vet, in most cases, will run scans before surgically removing the item. If the item is at the lower end of the intestine, they may try an enema to release it. Very occasionally they may prescribe a glucose treatment to try to get small blockages moving. Findings here Muzzle training may be a good idea for those prone to scavenging. All damaged toys must be removed once damaged, and all dogs should be supervised when playing with toys. Medications Some medications cause constipation. If your dog is on any medications and is constipated, it’s a good idea to ask your vet what the side effects include as this could be the reason, and the dog may need to have a prescription review at the surgery. Medications prone to causing constipation include: Antihistamines (designed to reduce allergy symptoms) Diuretics (such as furosemide and spironolactone, commonly used to treat congestive heart failure. Diuretics help remove pooled fluids) Proton Pump Inhibitors/Antacids (designed to neutralise stomach acid) Iron Supplements Findings here Inflammation and
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we see a lot of arthritis cases. There are numerous types of arthritis in existence, some of which can be autoimmune responses. We thought we would put together a short guide on the two most commonly seen types of autoimmune arthritis; Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. What is Autoimmunity? Autoimmunity is sadly fairly common in both humans and pets and is often overlooked. When an individual has an autoimmune disease, the immune system releases antibodies and T-Killer Cells (cells of the immune system which target and kill cells infected with viruses and cancers) even when they are not in the presence of a necessary target, which causes them to attack normal, previously healthy parts of the body. In layman’s terms, the body attacks itself! Autoimmunity can be linked to Leaky Gut, and Leaky Gut can be linked with arthritis. Read our blogs on these topics below! The Connection Between Leaky Gut and Autoimmunity – Part 1 The Connection Between Leaky Gut and Autoimmunity – Part 2 The Link Between Leaky Gut and Arthritis Immune Mediated Polyarthritis Immune Mediated Polyarthritis (shortened to IMPA) is a painful degenerative joint disease. The term ‘immune mediated’ refers to a group of conditions which are caused by abnormal immune system activity, often due to upregulation of some immune cells, causing the body to attack itself. Symptoms of IMPA include: Pain and swelling in multiple joints Fever Lethargy General stiffness Weight loss Difficulty standing for long periods Enlarged lymph nodes Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea One of the causes of IMPA, is infection of Leishmania. Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease, where the host is infected with Leishmania, which is spread by sand flies. It is not present in the UK, bar in imported dogs, or those who have travelled abroad, and contracted it there. We see many cases in rescued foreign street dogs. The synovial fluid (the fluid located between joints of all mammals) of the dogs affected in a study, was tested, and found to have the inflammatory markers typical of a dog suffering with IMPA. All other pathways of IMPA were ruled out. Findings Here Vaccine Induced IMPA is probably one of the biggest risks, and one often overlooked during diagnosis of IMPA. There are various reports of cases whereby dogs have developed IMPA within 3 weeks post vaccination. Minimally vaccinating is essential to reduce this risk! Findings Here Findings Here One study based in Canada, discusses the various clinical abnormalities which accompanied IMPA in various IMPA positive dogs. These clinical signs included leukocytosis (increased white blood cell production), nonregenerative amaemia (lack of red blood cells due to reduced activity by the bone marrow), high alkaline phosphatase (ALP in blood tests), and hypoalbuminemia (disrupted albumin production, resulting in blood vessels drying up). There was no common age range between cases – cases were present from all ages; young to elderly. Findings Here Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis (shortened to RA) is an autoimmune related degenerative joint disease. It’s symptoms include: Joint pain and stiffness in numerous joints Swelling in joints Weight loss Fatigue and lethargy Loss of strength Those suffering with RA often do so in a mirrored fashion – the pain will usually be the same on both sides of the body; both knees, both hips etc. RA can be triggered following infection of the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted from infected ticks to host; you may be more familiar with the term ‘Lyme Disease’. Findings Here During drug trials for this disease, where RA is concerned, a combination of pharmaceuticals were required to have any effect, as opposed to any of the individual options used in the trial. Findings Here Part of the immune system contains the Dog Leukocyte Antigen (DLA) Complex – this is a part of the immune system which distinguishes the body’s proteins from foreign proteins, viruses and bacteria. Within this complex, lays numerous alleles (pairs of genes – one from each of the dog’s parents), including the DRB1 allele, which is said to influence the susceptibility of an individual to be subject to developing RA, if it contains a certain amino acid. Findings Here A protein called Zonulin plays a part in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). It is synthesised by cells in the liver and intestine, and it’s roll in the body is to regulate the gut permeability, specifically Tight Junction Barrier Cells within the gut wall. When Zonulin is overrepresented, the gut permeability cannot be controlled, and allows useful and harmful substances to enter the blood stream, which are then detected as threats by the immune system. The upregulation of Zonulin, paired with the downregulation of Tight Junction Barrier Cells, causes more leakage of particles into the body, which in turn causes major inflammation throughout the joints in the body, sometimes resulting in Rheumatoid Arthritis. As with other autoimmune conditions, specific strains of good bacteria in the microbiome being leaked and attacked can cause the onset of RA. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Supporting the Body Gut Work Due to the relation between autoimmunity and Leaky Gut, its essential to keep the gut in good condition. Supplements such as Marshmallow Root, Slippery Elm or glutamine are great for this, especially paired with a good, clean probiotic to help recolonise the gut. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Diet Ensure you are not feeding any pro-inflammatory foods! High carb, processed diets like dry food are very pro-inflammatory and will add to the body’s inflammatory response. Stick to a fresh diet, whether it’s raw or cooked. It’s also imperative to keep on top of any allergies – both food and environmental. When we keep on top of allergies, and remove allergens
Immunity – a word we hear so often in the health and diet industry. The basis of health all around. It can be very much a ‘rabbit hole’ subject, because the further you look into it, the deeper you research. It can be a confusing topic at best, so here at My Pet Nutritionist, we have put together this handy guide on things that can affect immunity. What is Immunity? Immunity is the ability to be resistant to a pathogen or infectious disease. Immunity can be gained naturally (through careful socialisation), by exposure to the pathogen, or through the use of vaccinations. There are various mechanisms of immunity, which we will briefly outline below: Active Immunity This is what is happening when the dog is exposed to a pathogen. The active immune system is the fastest acting system and is the body’s first response to the presence of a pathogen. In the presence of a pathogen, the B-Lymphocytes create and release antibodies. Passive Immunity This is the immunity passed on to an individual instead of being created by their body. In dogs we call this Maternally Derived Antibodies (MDA). MDA is passed onto the puppies from the mother and is vital to health in the early weeks. It usually wanes between 10 and 16 weeks of age, unless interrupted by vaccination. MDA is passed onto the puppies through the placenta, and through the mothers milk. If a puppy is hand reared, he/she may require extra caution than those who drink mothers milk. Innate (also called non-specific) Immunity This is immunity and defence systems your dog is born with. Barriers like skin, the gastro-intestinal tract, eyelashes etc all help keep pathogens out of the body which is why gut health is so very important – at least 70% of your immune system is in the gut! Defence systems like mucosal layers, saliva, stomach acid etc are also part of the innate immune system. Another immune response included as part of the innate immune system is inflammation – this often acts as a marker to pathogens so they can be destroyed. Adaptive (or Acquired) Immunity This is the immunity gained following seroconversion of vaccinations, or through natural build up of immunity. The Adaptive Immune System can be separated into two mechanisms. Humoral (antibody mediated) immunity This primarily involves B-Lymphocytes. During a humoral immune response, when an antigen is detected, with the help of T Helper Lymphocytes, the B Cells go through a differentiation process, which produces Memory B Cells and Effector B Cells, which are both specific to the B Cell they were differentiated from, and therefore are specifically shaped to combat a specific antigen/pathogen. This is the most common immune response, especially following successful vaccination. Titre Tests pick up these antibodies. Cellular, or cell-mediated immunity This involves another type of cell – T-Cells. When T-Cells differentiate, they become T-Killer Cells which attach to and engulf antigens. Allergic responses and autoimmune conditions are part of the cell-mediated adaptive immune system. So, let’s discuss some of the factors which affect immunity. Genetics Genetics play a large role in immune responses. If a dog comes from lines of ‘breeding stock’ affected by genetic health issues which affect the immune system, it is very likely they will also carry the genes. There are many ‘pathways’ in the genome (all of the body’s DNA), which contribute to various bodily functions. Studies around genetics and the link with the immune system mainly focus on the Toll Pathway, which in vertebrate animals, is all about inflammation. Inflammation occurs in response to infection or virus. The Toll pathway helps to regulate inflammation in the body by triggering the release of antimicrobial peptides in response to challenge. When the pathway is downregulated by SUMOylation (a protein which prepares cells for transcription, DNA binding, and replication), it misfires; this can lead to greater inflammatory response. Findings Here The domestication of dogs has also contributed to genetic immune function issues – going from hunting to having food served to them, going from a natural diet to, in many cases, a commercially prepared diet are both factors which over time, alter genetics. Survival of the fittest, and selective breeding will bring these altered genes out in litters, which then continue for future generations. In many breeds, the gene pool is very small, which also leads to larger affects on the immune system. Findings Here Pregnancy and Birth During pregnancy, many changes occur in the mother’s body. Hormones strengthen and change, the body physically changes, milk production begins, and the immune system takes a beating in order to produce a healthy litter, at the same time as keeping healthy herself. During pregnancy, the immune priorities are changed. It’s a common misconception that during pregnancy there is a time of immunosuppression; what actually happens, is the innate immune system strengthens, in order to provide the puppies with great physical barriers, but there is a reduction in the adaptive immune system, particularly later in the pregnancy, which is why many bitches suffer with itching or yeast toward the end of the pregnancy, and shortly after giving birth. Finding Here During birthing, the neonatal puppy’s innate immune system comes into full force, as it goes from being protected in the womb/uterus, to being completely open to the environment, including various pathogens. The Maternally Derived Antibodies will now be viable too, to help protect the puppy against viruses in the environment. Findings Here If the MDA is interrupted by early vaccination, this can leave the puppy more vulnerable to disease, so it’s incredibly important to understand when the best time to vaccinate is, if using vaccines for your puppy. That leads us nicely on to toxin exposure. Toxin Exposure There are so many toxins our pets are exposed to on a regular basis, both through some veterinary pharmaceuticals, and through household products in the environment. These toxins can have a largely detrimental effect on the dog’s immunity. Vaccinations While we are not against vaccinations here at
It seems an odd connection; gut health, and arthritis, but the two are connected in multiple ways. We see a lot of patients here at My Pet Nutritionist, suffering from Leaky Gut, and/or arthritis. Read on to learn more about the connection between Leaky Gut and Arthritis! What is Leaky Gut? The condition is growing more and more common in both us humans, and our canine counterparts, and can lead to some pretty serious health issues, long term. The name ‘Leaky Gut’ does somewhat give the game away, but let’s look deeper into what actually happens in the gut of a normal dog, compared to one with Leaky Gut. In healthy individuals, after eating, the food passes through the gut. The gut consists of the stomach followed by the small intestine, followed by the large intestine (known as the ‘colon’), through which nutrients from the digested food are absorbed, before the waste is pushed out through the rectum, then anus. To enable a large surface area, for optimum nutrient absorption, the small intestine is lined with small finger-like structures called villi, which themselves are covered in even smaller finger-like structures, known as microvilli. The gut also houses lots of good bacteria to aid digestion – the colonies of good bacteria, along with yeast cells, any viral particles, or parasitic burdens, are collectively known as the‘microbiome’. The gut wall is extremely thin, to allow efficient nutrientabsorption. The cells lining the gut stay close together, and are supported by the interactions of immune cells, and good bacteria in the gut. In those suffering with Leaky Gut, inflammation occurs in the gut for various reasons, which causes the tight intestine wall to permeate, creating microscopic channels between the cells. Proteins/partially undigested foods then leak out through these channels and are detected by the immune system as a threat, causing a histamine response to occur, which is why one of the most common symptoms of Leaky Gut, is food intolerances. Other symptoms of Leaky Gut include: – Autoimmune Diseases – Issues with stools or sickness – Joint issues – Yeast – Problems concerning other major organs in the body – Hypothyroidism – Changes in behaviour; often anxious behaviour, and short tempered behaviour Possible Causes of Leaky Gut include: Over-use of vaccines; the adjuvants may damagethe gut flora Use of certain pharmaceuticals – Flea, tick, and worm medications; they disrupt the gut microbiome by not only eradicating the visiting parasites (or often lack thereof), but the good bacteria too. – Antibiotics; these wipe out the good and bad bacteria – Antihistamines; these can interfere with the production of mucus in the gut, and can also interfere with the proper functioning of Diamine Oxidase (DAO), which is the enzyme responsible for breaking down, and removing histamine from within the gut. – NSAIDs and Steroids; these can cause ulcerations in the gut and interfere with mucosal production. SIBO and Yeast overgrowth; Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth and Yeast damage the gut lining Diet; feeding a dry food diet may put stress on the gut. Kibble can sometimes contain Glyphosate, which is an antibiotic herbicide and is toxic, as well as very damaging to the gut. Diets inclusive of legumes and other high-lectin content pulses, nightshades and vegetables may contribute to Leaky Gut as lectin causes poor gut integrity. Microscopic moulds often found on kibbles, known as mycotoxins can also bedetrimental to gut health, contributing to Leaky Gut. Stress can have a huge effect on the gut integrity, as stress leads to inflammation Ageing; as our dogs age, the microbiome becomes less diverse which leads to gut damage. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Read our full Gut Dysbiosis blog here! What is Arthritis, and How is it Connected to Leaky Gut? Arthritis is a disease caused by chronic inflammation of the joints. There are numerous types of arthritis, from Osteoarthritis to Rheumatoid Arthritis to Septic Arthritis. Let’s take a look at these types, and their connection with Leaky Gut. Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis seen in our pets, and it is especially common in the later years, or following trauma. Other names for osteoarthritis are Degenerative Joint Disease, and Osteoarthrosis. Osteoarthritis affects the body’s synovial joints (these are the joints where a smooth layer of cartilage covers the end of each bone associated with the joint) as well as the tissues around them. It can be a crippling disease, but there are some herbal supplements which have been proven to benefit those suffering from it. Read about these here! The gut isn’t the first thing most people think of when looking at internal associations with osteoarthritis, but the gut-joint axis is very much affected! Like all types of arthritis, inflammation is a huge part, which is where Leaky Gut comes into play. When ‘foreign’ particles are leaked through the gut wall, the body’s natural response is highly inflammatory. The pressure on the body from this inflammation causes an increase in risk of Osteoarthritis. Equally, the gut-brain axis may be affected by the pain and stress caused by the Osteoarthritis, causing poor gut motility, and increased permeability causing systemic inflammation. Findings Here Studies show that building intestinal mucosal immunity, and repopulating the gut, has positive affects on those suffering with Osteoarthritis, as well as helping to prevent it. Findings Here Having a highly permeable gut also leads to increased transportation of microbes, including cytokines, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), particularly in overweight individuals. LPS is known for inducing inflammation, and in many studies it is found in unexpectedly high amounts in the serum around the affected synovial joints. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory joint disease. Multiple joints are often affected at the same time, and symptoms not only include swollen, warm joints and joint stiffness, but also fatigue and loss of appetite. The animal model of Rheumatoid Arthritis is called Collagen Induced Arthritis, for which many studies were originally carried out on mice. Findings Here Findings Here A protein called Zonulin plays a
In Part 1, we discussed what Leaky Gut is, what autoimmunity is, and possible causes and symptoms of both. Read on to find out how they are linked, and more about the autoimmune diseases most commonly affected by Leaky Gut, as well as how we can support the body through diet, and supplements. How are Leaky Gut and Autoimmunity linked? A healthy gut microbiome is incredibly important as around 90% of the immune system is located in the gut! That’s quite a staggering figure, but it shows the importance of keeping the gut healthy and the microbiome strong. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the most common autoimmune diseases, and their link with Leaky Gut. Thyroid Issues One of the main issues with Leaky Gut and Autoimmunity, involves the thyroid. The body attacks the thyroid tissue as it recognises it as a foreign body. The reason the body sees thyroid tissue as a threat, is down to molecular mimicry. When the immune system releases antibodies to get rid of a threat, they bind at what is known as the ‘active site’, or ‘antigen binding site’. Antibodies are Y shaped proteins, and on the tips of the Y, the binding sites are found. These are a specific shape, to match the proteins on the antigens (the threatening particles). Take a look at the diagram at the top of this blog! Despite food particles clearly being very different to thyroid tissue cells, some of the attached proteins are the same shape on both the food particle and on the thyroid tissue cells. Gluten and Casein (dairy) are particularly alike to thyroid tissue cells, so when an antibody detects the protein it fits with, and binds to it, there’s a high chance it may be thyroid tissue instead of its real target; the food particle. Findings Here Findings Here Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) A condition we hear a lot about, particularly on a professional basis as well as on social media posts when people ask advice on their poorly pets, is Inflammatory Bowel Disease. As per it’s name, this involves inflammation in the bowel, which can be as a result of Leaky Gut. When looking at IBD, diet is so important – many processed foods contain emulsifiers, which can include Cellulose Gum, and Polysorbate-80 (though this one is most inhuman foods, not pet foods). These have been found to interrupt interactions between the bacteria in the intestine, and the gut wall; resulting in the gut wall being less protected than it would be without the presence of these substances. This lack of positive interaction, teamed with the already permeable gut wall (due to Leaky Gut) can cause the onset of IBD. Findings Here Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Yeast, and Candida can also contribute to IBD (and are all symptoms of Leaky Gut), which causes inflammation of the bowel, which further increases the risk of IBD onset. Studies show a huge affect on gut permeability when up-regulation of the protein called Zonulin is present. Zonulin helps regulate the permeability of the small intestine, but is detrimental in high numbers as it causes the gut to become more permeable. It is secreted by numerous organs within the body, and can be linked to Leaky Gut and the onset of IBD. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Immune-Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia (IMHA) IMHA is one of the more worrying autoimmune diseases, with a mortality rate close to 70%. There are many reasons a dog may be diagnosed with IMHA, including Vaccine Induced IMHA. When a dog has IMHA, the body is attacking it’s own red blood cells, which are important for transportation of oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body for healthy muscle usage. IMHA can be caused in some rare cases, by a deficiency in Vitamin B12, which can be linked back to Leaky Gut. IMHA is also often as a knock on effect of other autoimmune diseases like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Findings Here Findings Here Diabetes Largely linked to Leaky Gut, Diabetes mellitus often requires lifelong medication. Similarly to the mimicry of thyroid tissues by antigens like Gluten and Casein, the onset of diabetes can be facilitated through normal cells being attacked incorrectly by the antibodies circulating the bloodstream. With diabetes cases, the immune reactions affect, and damage pancreatic beta cells (responsible for producing and secreting insulin), which then causes the over-production of cytokines, which in turn causes insulin resistance within the body. Healing the gut, and decreasing gut permeability may help relieve sufferers of diabetes symptoms. Studies show Type 1 Diabetes can be caused as a result of gut damage, but can also cause gut damage. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Immune-Mediated Trombocytopenia (ITP) ITP is a platelet disorder, in which sufferers are unable to properly clot blood due to low platelet counts. Pathogenesis of ITP as a result of leaky gut has been proven to be due to imbalances in the gut microbiota, and the presence of cytokines which interfere with metabolism of fats. Patients with Leaky Gut, as we know, have a very imbalanced microbiome as bacteria leaks out through the channels in the gut wall. Certain strains of bacteria play an essential role at keeping ITP at bay, but are found to be of low levels in those diagnosed with ITP. When these helpful bacteria are leaked from the gut, cytokine production is increased, which then affects the metabolism of fats, which in turn causes pathogenesis of ITP because the lack of fat metabolism causes a lack of available fatty acids to enable the blood to clot. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Rheumatoid Arthritis The previously mentioned protein called Zonulin plays a part in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA); a joint related autoimmune condition. Just like in IBD, when Zonulin is over-represented, the gut permeability cannot be controlled, and allows useful and harmful substances to enter the blood stream, which are then detected as threats by the immune system. The upregulation of
At My Pet Nutritionist, we regularly help people with their pets suffering with Leaky Gut Syndrome. There is a lot of evidence to link Leaky Gut with a variety of autoimmune diseases; issues we so very often offer support for. Read on to learn more about Leaky Gut, and the role it plays in autoimmunity. What is Leaky Gut? The condition is growing more and more common in both us humans, and our canine counterparts, and can lead to some pretty serious health issues, long term. The name ‘Leaky Gut’ does somewhat give the game away, but let’s look deeper into what actually happens in the gut of a normal dog,compared to one with Leaky Gut. In healthy individuals, after eating, the food passes through the gut. The gut consists of the stomach followed by the small intestine, followed by the large intestine (known as the ‘colon’), through which nutrients from the digested food are absorbed, before the waste is pushed out through the rectum, then anus. To enable a large surface area, for optimum nutrient absorption, the small intestine is lined with small finger-like structures called villi, which themselves are covered in even smaller finger-like structures, known as microvilli. The gut also houses lots of good bacteria to aid digestion – the colonies of good bacteria, along with yeast cells, any viral particles, or parasitic burdens, are collectively known as the ‘microbiome’. The gut wall is extremely thin, to allow efficient nutrient absorption. The cells lining the gut stay close together, and are supported by the interactions of immune cells, and good bacteria in the gut. In those suffering with Leaky Gut, inflammation occurs in the gut for various reasons, which causes the tight intestine wall to permeate, creating microscopic channels between the cells. Proteins/partially undigested foods then leak out through these channels and are detected by the immune system as a threat, causing a histamine response to occur, which is why one of the most common symptoms of Leaky Gut, is food intolerances. Other symptoms of Leaky Gut include: – Autoimmune Diseases – Issues with stools or sickness – Joint issues – Yeast – Problems concerning other major organs in the body – Hypothyroidism – Changes in behaviour; often anxious behaviour and short tempered behaviour Possible Causes of Leaky Gut include: – Over-use of vaccines; the adjuvants damage the gut flora – Use of certain pharmaceuticals ^ Flea, tick, and worm medications; they disrupt the gut microbiome by not only eradicating the visiting parasites (or often lack thereof), but the good bacteria too. ^ Antibiotics; these wipe out the good and bad bacteria ^ Antihistamines; these can interfere with the production of mucus in the gut, and can also interfere with the proper functioning of Diamine Oxidase (DAO), which is the enzyme responsible for breaking down, and removing histamine from within the gut. ^ NSAIDs and Steroids; these can cause ulcerations in the gut and interfere with mucosal production. – SIBO and Yeast overgrowth; Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth and Yeast damage the gut lining – Diet; feeding a dry food diet can put stress on the gut. Kibble often contains Glyphosate, which is an antibiotic herbicide and is toxic, as well as very damaging to the gut. Diets inclusive of legumes and other high-lectin content pulses, nightshades and vegetables may contribute to Leaky Gut as lectin causes poor gut integrity. Microscopic moulds often found on kibbles, known as mycotoxins are also detrimental to gut health, contributing to Leaky Gut. – Stress can have a huge effect on the gut integrity, as stress leads to inflammation – Ageing; as our dogs age, the microbiome becomes less diverse which leads to gut damage. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Read our full Gut Dysbiosis blog here What is Autoimmunity? To better understand the link between Leaky Gut and Autoimmunity, we need to understand more about autoimmunity, what it is, and how it affects our pets (and us too!). Autoimmunity is sadly fairly common in both humans and pets and is often overlooked. When an individual has an autoimmune disease, the immune system releases antibodies and T-Killer Cells (cells of the immune system which target and kill cells infected with viruses and cancers) even when they are not in the presence of a necessary target, which causes them to attack normal, previously healthy parts of the body. In layman’s terms, the body attacks itself! There are more than 80 different autoimmune diseases in existence, though not all of these affect dogs. Some of the most common autoimmune diseases we see in dogs are: – Hypothyroidism – Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – Immune-Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia (IMHA) – Diabetes – Immune-Mediated Trombocytopenia (ITP) – Rheumatoid Arthritis – Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s Disease) – Periodontal Disease – Degenerative Myelopathy – Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis (IMPA) – Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) – Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) Symptoms of Autoimmunity These will, of course, vary depending on which autoimmune disease an individual has, but general signs and symptoms of autoimmunity, which may spark a look into further investigation with your veterinarian, include: – Constant lethargy – Racing, or very slow heartbeat – Weight loss (often dramatic) – Increased panting – Collapse – Excessive drinking and urination – Seizure activity – Discolouration of gums and skin – occasionally yellowish as a result of jaundice. – Hair loss or coat texture changes – Regular vomiting and diarrhoea – Increased temperature – Behavioural changes, including aggression or depression Findings Here Read Part 2 here to find out more on the autoimmune diseases affected by Leaky Gut, and how we can support the body, naturally. If you feel your dog may be experiencing Leaky Gut, or an autoimmune disease, seek veterinary attention, and book in for a consultation with one of our team! Team MPN x
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
