Signs & Symptoms of Celiac Disease in Dogs
Dogs with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein present in wheat, barley and rye. Eating those grains causes an abnormal immune response that attacks the small intestine. Irish Setters are the only breed known have to true celiac disease, but many dogs are sensitive to glutenous grains. Untreated celiac disease can lead to malnutrition and damage to the digestive tract.
-
Symptoms
-
Dogs with celiac disease suffer from diarrhea or constipation, weakness, vomiting, weight loss and anemia. A dog with diarrhea might have stools containing a lot of mucus, an indication that his digestive tract is irritated.
Other Signs
-
Celiac disease can lead to skin problems, including hair loss, bumps or lesions, itching and flaking, dry skin. The lesions usually show up on the dog's feet, head, neck, ears and stomach. Other signs include secondary skin infections and chronic ear infections.
-
Malnourishment
-
Celiac disease causes the body's immune system to react against gluten. When a dog with celiac disease eats a gluten-containing food, her body's immune system attacks the villi---small, finger-like projections in the small intestine. The villi help nutrients from food absorb into the bloodstream. If they are damaged or destroyed, your dog can become malnourished, no matter how much he eats.
Irish Setters
-
Irish Setters are the only dogs that researchers have identified as suffering from true celiac disease. The disease usually shows up in puppies between 4 and 7 months old. The puppies do not gain weight and suffer from chronic diarrhea. The disease is inherited, passed on from parents to offspring.
Diagnosis
-
A blood test and a biopsy of the small intestine helps veterinarians diagnose celiac disease. Recognizing celiac disease can be difficult because the symptoms mimic those of several other illnesses, including irritable bowel syndrome, parasites and pancreatitis. The symptoms might also be linked to food allergies or sensitivity to gluten, rather than true celiac disease.
Prevention/Solution
-
Dogs with celiac disease cannot eat any gluten. Check the labels on your dog's food for wheat or grain products. You may have to change what you are feeding your dog. Dogs with celiac disease can usually tolerate corn, rice, gluten-free wheat, dairy foods and poultry. Several manufacturers make wheat- and gluten-free dog foods and treats.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
More Like This
Comments
-
OMG is the writer of this article retarded? There is no such thing as gluten-free wheat. That's like saying you can be a vegetarian if you eat meat-free beef. It doesn't exist. -This is coming from a gluten intolerant person.
