“Leaky Gut” syndrome - Why is my pet so itchy?
In healthy guts, nutrients and a small amount of environmental samplings that strengthen the immune system are absorbed through the gut and into the bloodstream. About 70% of the immune system of any mammal is situated in the gut. A healthy gut has a healthy balance of bowel bacteria. It is estimated that the number of bacteria in the bowel outnumbers the number of cells in our bodies.
All mammals have “good” bacteria in their guts. Billions of the “right” bacteria naturally occur in the small and large intestines. When gut bacteria (flora) are the correct type and in balance, the gut works incredibly well. And so does the immune system.
Living in balance with the correct gut flora is called symbiosis. Greek for “living together.”
This powerful bacterial mass in the gut is our own mini "factory" making vitamins and destroying toxins and constantly monitoring our immune status.
However, this factory can turn against us.
Dysbiosis is living with intestinal flora that has harmful effects.
Immune reactions provoked by abnormal intestinal flora (bad bugs) may be harmful rather than helpful.
Inflammatory conditions and several types of arthritis have been linked to abnormal bowel flora. In people, the link between dysbiosis and atopic eczema, dermatitis, chronic pancreatitis and rheumatoid arthritis has already been established.
When a cat or dog is fed an inappropriate diet it can lead to damage to the gut wall. Damage in the gut wall leads to increased permeability and a "leaky" gut.
What disrupts the good bacteria and increases the permeability of the gut ?
1. Incorrect foods. Eating foods that are not appropriate to the species causes increased permeability. Abnormal gut fermentation of excessive complex carbohydrates and starches causes a proliferation of yeast and unfriendly bacteria. It also has adverse effects on vitamin absorption, including the B vitamins, zinc and magnesium.
2. Antibiotics. Antibiotics remove all bacteria, not just the bad bacteria. Antibiotics decimate the good bacteria in the gut and increase the risk of subsequent intestinal infection and yeast overgrowth.
3. Steroids. Steroids inhibit several normal gut processes and also suppress the immune system, allowing opportunistic pathogens to colonize the gut lining.
The good bacteria not only prevent the proliferation of the bad bacteria, they keep the gut lining healthy. When the gut lining is unhealthy it becomes more permeable to toxins.
A "leaky gut" can cause gas, bloating and diarrhoea.
A "leaky gut" can allow proteins from the gut to enter the blood stream. These proteins in the blood form immune complexes and trigger the release of histamine in the skin. This makes our dogs very itchy.
A "leaky gut" leads to maladsorption and malnutrition and clinical signs can be as diverse as immune dysfunction, autoimmune disease, food allergies, behavioral disorders, joint pain and nutritional deficiencies.
Come in and talk to us if you think your dog or cat may be suffering from a leaky gut.