IBD
(INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE)
INFLAMMATORY
BOWEL DISEASE IBD
Why are so
many dogs and cats getting IBD and what’s
the best way to treat it?
by
Autumn Drouin, DVM
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Diet is crucial. A preferably home prepared
food consisting of single protein and
carbohydrate sources can include duck,
turkey, venison, rabbit, millet, quinoa,
amaranth, peas, green beans and sweet
potato. Added fiber in the form of pumpkin,
guar gum or pectin may slow down the bowel,
while “hydrolyzed” or predigested
proteins which are too small to stimulate
the immune system may be helpful (e.g.
Seacure). The amino acid glutamine also
plays an important role in treatment as
it helps regenerate the intestinal lining.
Infectious and parasitic factors can be
addressed with prebiotics, probiotics,
soil-based organisms such as SBX or Primal
Defense, grapefruit seed extract, olive
leaf extract, garlic, oil of oregano and
goldenseal. The immune system can be supported
with ModuVet or other immune regulators.
Holistic treatment also considers emotional/mental
causes and stress management as well as
the prevention of complications such as
liver damage, dehydration, malnutrition,
ulcers and cancer.
What’s the prognosis?
Though serious and potentially fatal,
IBD is manageable with proper care and
consideration. As Sinba’s success
story demonstrates, holistic medicine
can restore good health and balance to
animals with this debilitating disease.
DR. AUTUMN DROUIN,
A VETERINARIAN AND LICENSED NATUROPATH,
DIVIDES HER TIME BETWEEN CARING FOR ANIMALS
AND PEOPLE. HER PRACTICE, NORTH-EAST NEWMARKET
VETERINARY SERVICES, IS LOCATED IN NEWMARKET,
ONTARIO.
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Published
in the August/September 2005 issue of
Animal Wellness
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