Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Herbal treatments for chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease and to help prevent symptoms of colitis.

A healthy digestive tract is critical to overall health and well-being. The digestive health of an animal can impact not only breakdown and absorption of nutrients, but can also have a significant impact on other body systems including the excretory, digestive and immune systems, the liver, kidneys, bone marrow and the endocrine system for its effects on the adrenal and thyroid glands.

The animal body is like a machine, taking in fuel in the form of food and discharging waste in the form of urine and solid waste. During the process of digestion, your pet takes nutrients from food and breaks them down into usable components in the body. Digestion and absorption of nutrients first takes place in the stomach and then in the small intestines.

However, fiber and roughage cannot be broken down and digested and therefore passes unchanged through the small intestine to the large intestine (also known as the colon). When this matter first enters the colon, water is extracted from it and is re-absorbed back into the body and the matter left behind loses water and becomes more solid.

This solid waste is then propelled along the colon by rhythmic contractions of the muscles. When solid waste enters the largest part of the colon, known as the rectum, animals get the signal that they need to empty their bowels.

Inflammatory bowel disease or IBD is a condition that can occur in humans, dogs, cats and horses. IBD simply refers to a group of gastro-intestinal disorders that causes irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, specifically the small and large intestines as well as the regional lymph nodes.

Inflammatory bowel disease results in a number of digestive symptoms including abdominal pain or colic, constipation, chronic diarrhea, bloating, and flatulence. Other symptoms include weight loss, recurrent episodes of colic, hypoproteinemia (abnormally low level of protein in the blood) as well generalized skin problems.

As with human inflammatory bowel disease, the cause of IBD is not fully understood. There do however seem to be a number of contributing factors which seem to exacerbate the condition. These include poor diet, stress, allergies (particularly food allergies), continual use of antibiotics, viral and bacterial infections, and parasites.

Animals need to follow a healthy diet with the correct amount of fiber and roughage. Too little roughage will lead to loose stools (diarrhea) while stools that have too much fiber will be hard to pass and lead to constipation. Regular bowel movements are critical to the health of your pet.

If your pet is struggling to pass tools or passing frequent loose, runny stools, consult with your vet about possible bowel problems. If your pet passes excessive amounts of gas, this may also indicate a bowel problem.

If your pet has loose stool, you may want to consider organic Pumpkin Powder (see our Petz Kitchen Pumpkin Powder) as it may help bulk up fecal matter. It also can help work as a stool softener and may help loosen hard, firm stools that are backed up in the bowels.                              

Herbal Remedies:

Herbal remedies are used to treat Irritable Bowel Disorder, to promote healthy digestion and healthy bowel movements for your pets, to act as a natural system cleanser, to reduce colic and symptoms of colic, to relieve symptoms of acute colic, stomach cramps and gas, to optimize digestion, to calm gastro-intestinal disturbances and for all forms of digestive complaints.

I Feel Good –  (learn more) contains antioxidants, prebiotics, probiotics, digestives enzymes, fiber, inulin, fatty acids and adaptogens and is a potent plant-based anti-viral, which may help nutritionally tone the animal body, may help boost or balance immunity as needed, including soothing an over-stimulated immune system or boosting an under- performing immune system, may help build white blood count to help fight infection, may help reduce all forms of system-wise metabolic and oxidative stress that undermine immunity; may help support water regulation and fluid balance in the body; may help reduce all types of inflammation, may help provide dermal support and growth of healthy cells and tissues in the body’s defense mechanism, may help reduce the histamine trigger for contact allergies, seasonal and chronic allergens, pathogens, skin rashes, infections, hot spots, inflammation, swelling, hair loss, itching and geriatria (dull coat, lethargy) and fever; may be an important anti-viral adjunctive in cases of Herpes virus; may help alleviate symptoms for all types of arthritis, including Degenerative Joint Disease, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and symptoms associated with rheumatism, including pain, strains, injuries, muscle pain, swelling and lack of mobility; reduces all types of inflammation, particularly from the heart to brain; as a gastrotonic to support stomach health; contains prebiotics and probiotics useful in balancing digestive health and function plus much more. Recognized as one of the most important medicinal plants in the world, particularly related to supporting balanced immunity and limiting inflammation and inflammatory conditions.

Seal ‘Em & Heal ‘Em – (learn more) capsules, tincture,  powder may help promote healing for all types of wounds, including hot spots, abscess, abrasions, bites, cuts, scrapes, skin irritations, infections, viruses, bacteria, fungi and germs; for bleeding & hemorrhaging conditions, ulcers, GERD, esophaghitis & other degenerative conditions of the larynx & throat; adjunctively and holistically to help address conditional needs of DNA and RNA viruses; used holistically to help address conditional needs related to respiratory viruses A and B (RSV) and influenza virus A (FLU-A) and para-influenza (PIV); may help inhibit bacterial and microbial skin fungus infections related to Staphylococcus aurous, S. epidermis and other gram negative bacteria such as enterobacteria, citrobacteria, salmonella; may help provide cellular support of tissue, skin & coat; for gastrointestinal distress; as a neurasthenic that may help block the activation of nerve fibers & tissue response to inflammation, supporting the body's tissue repair mechanism to help stop mutations (important in the treatment of all types of Lyme disease, including Lyme borealis, burgdorferi, borreliosis & Chronic Lyme disease (CLD); and may help remove plague and tartar upon application to help support healthy teeth and gums.; Strongly anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-spasmodic, antibiotic, anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerous, anti-Candidal and reduces nerve pain associated with wounds and injury.

Yummy Tummy – (learn more) promotes antioxidant, natural plant steroids, prebiotics, probiotics, inulin, fiber, digestive enzymes and a plant based steroid, used holistically to help address digestive, urinary, bladder and gall bladder support, may be useful for all types of digestive disorders; works to help promote proper digestion and assimilation of nutrients, especially important for raw and home cooked diets; may help address bladder (cystitis) and kidney (pyelonephritis) infections; adaptogen content helps tone and strengthen the connective tissue of the bladder related to urine leakage and urinary incontinence; may help address GERD, acid reflux, Leaky Gut Syndrome and ulcers; works to help heal wounds and lesions in the gut related to ulcers and Leaky Gut Syndrome; used holistically for Candida including systemic Candida as a natural, plant-based steroid alternative, provides important support for cramping, pain, discomfort, Gastroenteritis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disorder (IBD), prostate inflammation, BHP, prostatitis, Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) and Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS); strongly anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, antibiotic, anti-Candidal and a natural plant based steroid.

Love Your Liver - (learn more) promotes the performance, health and repair of the liver, kidneys and bladder; adaptogen content may help identify cellular dysfunction and nutritionally work to restore liver health; may help facilitate liver cell regeneration and may promote renal and digestive excretion; may help provide protection and detoxification from insecticides, toxins, vaccinations, a diet which contains fillers, preservatives and chemicals; may help address anemia due to iron content; may help relieve symptoms such as pressure, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and flatulence; may help regulate kidney acid/alkaline levels; used holistically for hepatic lipidosis, Fatty Liver Disease (FLD),  Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD), Feline Urological Syndrome (FUS) and Feline cholangiohepatitis. 

Ensure your pet is eating a balanced, high quality diet with plenty of raw and unprocessed food (preferably organic) and/or quality wet food. Flatulence and digestive problems are often solved by a change in diet.

Keep garbage cans closed and put away – eating something that your pet is not used to can also cause gas to accumulate, diarrhea or constipation.

Consult with your vet if you suspect parasites. Many pets unknowingly are negatively impacted by some form of parasitic infestation that can cause loose stools. 

Remove your pet’s food after a while if it is not finished. Periods of fasting throughout the day can be important for effective digestion and detoxification.

Conventional Remedies:

If your pet has loose stool, your vet may prescribe a medication to help ‘bulk up’ their fecal matter. Similarly your vet may prescribe a stool softener to help loosen hard, firm stools that may be backing up in the bowel.                                                 

Keep in mind these medications may come with other side effects. If you suspect your pet may have an irritable bowel, be constipated or suffering from diarrhea – consult with your vet and research different options

If your animals show signs of signs of IBD then you should always call your local veterinarian. Chronic inflammatory bowel disease is a serious condition and it can cause repeated bouts of colic which can be incredibly painful and dangerous.

Your vet will take a thorough history and will check for the presence of thickened bowel or enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes on rectal palpation. Blood tests may also be necessary to determine low serum protein concentration which is often a symptom of IBD. In some cases as intestinal or rectal biopsy may also be advised.

Treatment of colic often involves medications such as corticosteroids, metronidazole, and the antimetabolite "azathioprine". Unfortunately, many of these medications have limited success rates in IBD.

In addition to medications, your vet may also suggest a change in diet and feeding routine. Frequent feeding of good-quality, high-energy feeds have been shown to help. Surgery may be an option in cases where only a small accessible portion of the intestine is affected.

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