Colitis Support (IBD, IBS, SBS)

Colitis may also be known as

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Spastic Bowel Syndrome (SBS)
• Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Lymphocytic-plasmacytic Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Explanation and Symptoms

Colitis is an inflammation of the colon or lower bowel and is a complicated condition with many possible causes. The symptoms of colitis can also vary widely depending on the severity of the disease. When mild, symptoms may just be a firm first bowel motion,  and subsequent soft motions throughout the day.  As the condition progresses you may start to see motions covered with mucus, jelly or slime. In moderate colitis the motions have mucus flecked with blood, especially toward the end of the motion. The animal often strains unproductively after passing the motion.

If the colitis is severe then the animal may pass red to brown diarrhea which will result in rapid dehydration and collapse. This may also be accompanied by vomiting. This can be acute and natural treatment is needed as soon as possible.

Common Causes of Colitis

1. Parasitic - Whipworms reside in the upper colon (unlike hooks and rounds); protozoan parasites in some areas of the country are caused by Guardia, Trichomona, Amoeba and Balantida

2. Foreign Body Colitis - When dogs eat grass and straw the indigestible fiber irritates the large bowel.  Any dog with pica (the compulsion to eat non food material) will potentially develop intermittent colitis

3. Bacterial Colitis - Often caused by Salmonella and Campylobacter

4. Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)-  A disorder resulting from the invasion of the wall of the large bowel by certain types of body cells - Eosinophilic Colitis is one example. Another, referred to by veterinarians as Lymphocytic-plasmacytic Inflammatory Bowel Disease (LPIBD), results from the infiltration into the wall of the large bowel due to lymphocytes and plasmacytes. This is thought to be due, in a large measure, to allergic reactions within the bowel and throughout the digestive tract.  The wall of the large intestine is invaded by the individual's own inflammatory cells in response to the triggering of an antigen.

5. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Usually has a neurological or psychological origin and is often seen in the hyper-excitable dog that is stressed, overworked, or apprehensive

6. Typhilitis - Inflammation of the cecum which is a dead-end pocket branching from the intestinal tract where the small and large intestine joins (the Ileoceco-colic junction). In humans this is located near where the human appendix would be, however dogs and cats don't have an appendix

7. Cancer - The two most common types are lymphosarcoma and adenocarcinoma

8. Stress - Often seen when such animals are kenneled for their owner's holidays

9. Dietary intolerance (less common cause) May be temporary or permanent

10. Dietary indiscretion - usually involving dairy products, and rich food sauces, fat or liver

11. Presentation of undigested food in the colon - for whatever reason can result in colitis. In these situations it is important to determine why the food is undigested (failure of digestion or a hypermotile bowel)

12. Bacterial overgrowths (often bacteria called Clostridia) - cause of colitis like symptoms in dogs

Natural Prevention

While waiting to receive the herbal Colitis formula and homeopathic remedies, use Slippery Elm Powder (from Health store) - mixed in water

 a tablespoon for medium sized dog
more for horse
orally as a soothing healing liquid meal
Starvation is the initial treatment advice given by a veterinarian for colitis which is similar to that for vomiting and diarrhea However this is usually unnecessary once you start our Natural remedies and diet suggestion. Diets which tend to protect against colitis fall into these types -

Hypoallergenic diets - avoid unusual protein and carbohydrate sources that your dog is likely to be sensitive to; use foods that do not contain the allergens which affect your dog
Some foods to avoid for dogs - beef, dairy products and wheat which are common in commercial foods and kibble
High fiber/low fat diets that result in an environment in the colon which encourages the growth of "friendly" bacteria
We will provide a diet sheet guide when purchasing Colitis herbal treatments.

TESTIMONIAL

I am very, very happy with the results I have had so far with all other remedies I have tried from you.   My dogs are looking and feeling great. The one with colitis has cleared up, and his watery eye has stopped completely.
My highly strung girl has been winning a lot more now that I can help control her with the hysteria formula.
All the dogs? teeth are looking whiter and by changing their diet their coats are so soft!
Thanks heaps.  CAROL HOBBELEN