The living microorganisms in your pet’s digestive system consist of bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa. The right balance is necessary to regulate the immune system, defend against pathogens and provide nutritional benefits.
When imbalance exists, it can lead to dysbiosis (leaky gut syndrome) and GI disorders along with seemingly unrelated diseases.
Signs of Leaky Gut:
Skin disease (allergies)
Joint Pain
Thyroid Disease
Heart Disease
IBD
Collapsing Trachea
Liver, Gallbladder and pancreatic disorders
Behavioral Issues
Autoimmune disease and Nutritional deficiencies
Cancer
Leaky gut is just what it sounds like, gaps develop in your pet’s gut lining, allowing the intestinal contents to leak into the bloodstream.
When undigested proteins leak into the bloodstream, the immune system attacks and neutralizes them.
Bacteria can also pass through the gut lining, they can circulate to the liver, kidneys, heart and other organs and cause chronic inflammation and disease.
Causes of Leaky Gut:
Diet
Drugs and other Toxins
Chronic Stress
Lack of Exercise
Resolving dysbiosis involves addressing food allergies and intolerances.
Switching to a less processed, species appropriate diet.
Limiting use of drugs if possible.
Creating a less stressful environment.
Appropriate probiotics, digestive enzymes and nutraceuticals should be given to help reduce inflammation in the GI tract.
If you’re frustrated with your dog or cat’s allergy treatments, start treating his gut. As long as undigested proteins are able to leak through the gut lining, your pet’s immune system will be in overdrive and the allergy symptoms will remain.
Treat the source of the allergies, don’t just put a band aid on them.