:oh guts!
OH GUTS!
Herbal treatments for your dog's Crohn's Disease
THE GREAT SHIFT TO herbal treatments
for medical conditions has naturally flowed into the
treatment for our best friends—our dogs. Crohn's
disease is just as debilitating in dogs as it is in humans.
It's incurable in both humans and dogs, but isn't fatal
in humans. Crohn's disease in dogs can be fatal without
proper care.
Herbal remedies have been developed in order to avoid harmful
chemical treatments. It's no surprise that herbal supplements that help
What is Canine Crohn's Disease?
humans manage the symptoms of Crohn's disease also work for dogs.
Crohn's disease is inflammation of the intestinal
lining and stomach. Causes include autoimmune issues,
infectious agents, issues with nutrition and heredity.
It is one of several inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)
that affects dogs. The intensity of the disease can be
controlled, but there's no cure.
Symptoms and Signs
Symptoms can be as minor as occasional diarrhoea,
listlessness and weight loss to obvious acute pain and
bleeding from both ends. Chronic vomiting indicates
inflammation of the upper digestive tract while diarrhoea
is a sign of lower intestinal inflammation. When either
of these symptoms occurs and can't be explained, your
pet is more than likely suffering from Crohn's.
Traditional Treatments
Traditional treatments include antibiotics to treat
infections, drugs that rid the colon of parasites, antidiarrhoeal drugs, and other drugs that may or may not
work coupled with severe side effects. Surgery is also
performed in severe cases and as a last resort.
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• Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation.
• Prebiotics produce a healthy environment for
good bacteria to grow in the digestive tract.
• Probiotics are the source of good bacteria.
• Licorice is another natural ingredient that
has anti-inflammatory properties and acts as a tonic.
• Slippery elm is an amazing natural ingredient
that helps in digestion.
• Marshmallow is another healthy herb that aids in
digestion.
A healthy diet that's free of excess fat and regular exercise round out
the herbal treatment of Crohn's disease in dogs. A healthy diet includes
20 percent protein and the rest healthy vegetables and carbohydrates.
It is possible to help your IBD dog live a normal life when you
manage his symptoms with herbal remedies.
Jackie Rive
www.brookbyherbs.co.nz
