Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common problem in our dogs, causing vomiting and diarrhea which can lead to reduced nutrient absorption and weight loss. Learn how your donation to the AKC Canine Health Foundation can help find better treatments for canine IBD.

1609: Use of Probiotic to Reduce the Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common cause of chronic gastrointestinal disease in dogs. Accumulating evidence in human IBD and animal models suggests that imbalances in composition of the intestinal microbiota contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic intestinal inflammation. Recent studies have also shown that dogs with IBD have distinctly different duodenal microbial communities compared to healthy dogs. Current treatments for IBD include the administration of nonspecific anti-inflammatory drugs which may confer serious side effects and do not address the underlying basis for disease, namely, altered microbial composition. Use of probiotics (viable, non-pathogenic bacteria that exert health benefits beyond basic nutrition) offers an attractive, physiologic, and non-toxic alternative to shift the balance to protective species and treat IBD. LEARN MORE>>>

1855-A: Improving Diagnosis and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss, and occurs commonly in dogs worldwide. The pathogenesis of IBD is not completely understood. Although it is widely accepted that IBD may be triggered by different factors such as food sensitivity, intestinal bacterial alterations (dysbiosis) or exaggerated auto-immune response, no guidelines exist on how to differentiate between these underlying causes in a prospective manner. Current treatment recommendations are non-specific as clinical signs, standard blood testing or patterns of intestinal inflammation appear to have no relationship to the underlying cause. Treatment is therefore a case of trial and error in individual dogs. The objective of this study is to compare changes in immune mediators (cytokines) in the intestine before and after successful treatment of dogs with IBD. LEARN MORE>>>

2002: Defining the Genetic Basis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of disorders in which the intestinal tract has become invaded with the dog's own white blood cells leading to inflammation. Over time, this inflammation causes the intestine to become less efficient at absorbing nutrients from digested food and weight loss, and vomiting or diarrhea often result. IBD can be controlled, but not cured. The cause of IBD is poorly understood, but it appears that genetics, diet, intestinal bacteria, and abnormalities of the dog's immune system all play a role. Dr. Allenspach has recently identified genetic markers known as SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) which she believes contribute to disease susceptibility. LEARN MORE>>>

2050: Defining the Genetic Susceptibility to Granulomatous Colitis, a Severe Form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Granulomatous colitis is a severe inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), usually diagnosed in young dogs. Affected dogs present with hemorrhagic diarrhea, often progressing to weight loss and debilitation. Recent studies have identified invasive Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria within macrophages in the inflamed large intestine, and eradication of E.coli induces dramatic clinical and histologic improvement. Unfortunately, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance has greatly reduced our ability to treat this disease, and persistently affected dogs are frequently euthanized. The type of E.coli isolated from dogs with granulomatous colitis is very similar to adherent and invasive E. coli (AIEC) associated with IBD in people. This type of E.coli are considered opportunistic pathogens that can exploit genetic defects in bacterial killing in an IBD susceptible individual. Dr. Simpson suspects this is due to a heritable abnormality that confers susceptibility to invasion and persistence of E.coli. LEARN MORE>>>