Companion Animals

Companion Animal Welfare and Canine Intestinal Disease

Intestinal disease in dogs including IBD, food allergies, and parasites causes significant welfare harm, with accurate diagnosis guiding effective treatment.

Key Facts

Inflammatory bowel disease affects an estimated 1-2% of dogs and causes chronic diarrhoea and weight loss
Dietary trials with novel protein or hydrolysed diets diagnose food-responsive enteropathy
Biopsy is required to distinguish IBD from intestinal lymphoma
Protein-losing enteropathy causes malabsorption leading to severe weight loss and oedema
Faecal microbiome analysis is an emerging tool for guiding IBD treatment in dogs

Welfare Considerations

Intestinal disease causes chronic discomfort and deterioration. Accurate diagnosis distinguishes between treatable conditions and guides appropriate long-term management.

What You Can Do

Seek veterinary diagnosis for dogs with chronic diarrhoea or weight loss
Pursue biopsy-level diagnosis for dogs with severe intestinal disease
Work with your vet to find the most effective long-term dietary and medical management