Use of a restricted antigen diet in the management of idiopathic canine colitis

Abstract

Eleven dogs diagnosed as having idiopathic chronic colitis were treated for four months with a commercial hypoallergenic diet. Ten clinical parameters were evaluated monthly for each dog. Within one month, four key signs associated with colitis (straining, faecal blood, faecal mucus and faecal consistency) were significantly improved and remained so for the subsequent three months. Sulphasalazine was also used in the initial stages of management to control presenting signs. However, within one month 60 per cent of the dogs required either no sulphasalazine (or less) than when originally presented; within two months 90 per cent were stabilised with no drug therapy.

Administration of charcoal, Yucca schidigera, and zinc acetate to reduce malodorous flatulence in dogs

“…Although we are unaware of any research into the role of hydrogen sulfide in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis in dogs, it is clear that idiopathic colitis in dogs is responsive to administration of easily assimilated diets that contain a restricted number of protein sources. 30,31 Although the effects of these diets can be explained by their hypoallergenicity, it is possible that they are associated with more complete absorption of sulfur-containing amino acids, leading to less sulfur in the colon for hydrogen sulfide production. Of course, this is only speculation, but there is evidence that humans with ulcerative colitis consume more proteins than control patients 32 and that withdrawal of milk, eggs, and cheese, which are rich in sulfur-containing amino acids, is beneficial.…”

Complications Associated with 355 Flexible Colonoscopic Procedures in Dogs

“…The most common large-bowel diagnoses (and number) were colitis (103; including inflammatory bowel disease [73], granulomatous colitis [24], and histiocytic ulcerative colitis [6]), idiopathic large-bowel diarrhea (85), adenocarcinoma (34), open (17), enterotoxicosis caused by Clostridium perfringens (14), adenoma (13), other malignancies (11), normal (11), and lymphoma (10). In addition, the most common upper gastrointestinal diagnoses (and number) were lymphoplasmacellular or eosinophilic enteritis (49), gastritis (18), lymphangiectasia (9), and small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth (9).…”

“…1,[3][4][5][6][7] Obtaining biopsy samples during colonoscopy has been an important diagnostic step in many studies of dogs and cats with largebowel diseases reported in the literature. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Although colonoscopy is relatively simple to perform, adverse effects such as colonic perforation, laceration of blood vessels, laceration of adjacent organs, translocation of normal flora through damaged mucosa, and transmission of enteropathogenic agents may occur. 1,2 In addition to complications due to the endoscopic procedure itself, adverse events also can be associated with bowel cleansing or anesthesia.…”

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach to Cats with Chronic Diarrhoea

“…There is evidence to suggest that some forms of colitis may be associated with a dietary sensitivity similar to that observed with small bowel disease. The theoretical benefit for utilising highly digestible 'hypoallergenic' diets for patients with colitis includes reducing the digestive challenge to the large intestine and minimising the likelihood of dietary antigens actually reaching the colon, thus lessening the likelihood of an immunological reaction (Simpson et al 1994). The author recommends feeding a complete and balanced commercial diet containing moderate amounts of a highly digestible single protein source to which the animal has not been previously exposed.…”