A healthy gut is the be-all and end-all of a healthy and happy dog.
If there is a disorder in the sensitive intestinal tract, it can have a lasting effect on the dog in a wide variety of ways.
Which Symptoms of a disturbed intestinal flora in dogs are present and how they are treated is explained in the following guide.
A disturbed intestinal flora in dogs – is the intestine always to blame?
In fact, a disturbed intestinal flora in dogs not automatically the fault of the intestine. The intestinal flora can also become unbalanced due to gum inflammation.
A disturbed intestinal flora is also present when the dog has undergone antibiotic therapy.
Other triggers for a disturbed intestinal flora in dogs can also be autoimmune diseases, allergies and joint diseases.
Good to know
A healthy intestinal flora has a balance of health-promoting and pathogenic bacteria. If the latter predominate, the dog’s intestinal flora is disturbed.
Disturbed intestinal flora symptoms in dogs: what are the typical signs?
Typical signs of a disturbed intestinal flora in dogs are mostly bloating and diarrhea.
A really unpleasant bad breath from the fur nose is also a sign that you can recognize a disturbed intestinal flora in the dog.
Is your dog suddenly eating grass like crazy? Then you have discovered another sign of a disturbed intestinal flora in dogs.
gas
The intestinal bacteria are responsible, among other things, for filtering important nutrients from the food pulp.
If there is now an excess of the bad intestinal bacteria, this nutrient utilization cannot take place as usual – and then manifests itself in intestinal gas.
Diarrhea
The health-promoting intestinal bacteria also ensure that no infections can form in the intestines, which in turn cause diarrhea.
If the intestinal flora is disturbed, pathogens can attach themselves to the intestinal walls more quickly.
Diarrhea is then a sure sign that you can recognize a disturbed intestinal flora in the dog.
bad breath
Bad breath in dogs has a wide variety of triggers. The mouth is just as little to blame for bad breath as the intestines are not to blame for a disturbed intestinal flora.
In fact, a gastrointestinal disease can lead to foul breath.
And this is therefore a symptom by which you can recognize a disturbed intestinal flora in dogs.
susceptibility to infection
Did you know that almost ¾ of the canine immune system is located in the intestine or is dependent on its health?
If there is a disturbance in the intestinal flora, this naturally also has an impact on the immune system.
As a result, the dog is more susceptible to infections and diseases. This susceptibility is another sign of a disturbed intestinal flora in the dog.
eat grass
Is your dog currently not getting enough of eating your lawn? Then this can be a sign by which you can recognize a disturbed intestinal flora in the dog.
Grass contains fiber that is important for dogs. These in turn have a positive effect on digestion and thus also on the intestinal flora.
When should I go to the vet and what treatment options are there for a dog with a disturbed intestinal flora?
Since one consequence of a disturbed intestinal flora in the dog is diarrhea, this symptom is already a good reason drive to the vet as soon as possible – ideally together with a stool sample.
diagnosis
With the help of a stool examination, the veterinarian can first determine whether a parasite infestation with worms or giardia has caused the diarrhea.
He can also use this stool sample to determine whether an infection is present.
The diagnosis can also be partially made by your symptom description and can be confirmed if the dog has been treated with antibiotics but not with probiotics.
However, in some cases, a blood test is also carried out to rule out other diseases that can also affect other organs.
Treatment
If the dog has a disturbed intestinal flora, the treatment can include several steps. However, a so-called intestinal rehabilitation in the dog is always part of the treatment.
Of course, such an intestinal cleansing does not show the first successes overnight – you have to bring a few days of patience with you.
Often, giving your dog a probiotic for about 1 week can help bring its intestinal flora back into balance.
In some preparations, living lactic acid bacteria become active here, which contribute to a healthy intestinal flora.
In some cases, changing the diet is also useful and necessary. Because the wrong ingredients are one of the most common triggers for a disturbed intestinal flora in dogs.
Our tip
You can find more helpful information on intestinal cleansing in dogs in our guide to building up intestinal flora in dogs: 9 home remedies that really help.
If the dog also has a bacterial infection, an antibiotic is used – and this starts a small gastrointestinal vicious circle.
Because these medicines destroy the intestinal flora, which is actually supposed to be rebuilt.
That is why it is particularly important here that a supportive probiotic or prebiotic should be administered at the same time.
Last but not least, it makes sense to strengthen your dog’s immune system. Home remedies and special immune preparations, such as Impromune for dogs, are suitable here.
Has your dog ever had a disturbed intestinal flora and why? What helped him? We’d love for you to share your helpful tips with us in the comments!