A Siberian Husky With Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease & a Hiatal Hernia

Siberian Huskies are gentle loving dogs that generally live to be 12-15 years old. Though they're a typically healthy breed, they are susceptible to eye disease, seizure disorders, lupus, hip dysplasia and zinc responsive dermatitis. Unfortunately, Siberian Huskies, like other breeds, are also contracting health problems such as inflammatory bowel disease and hiatal hernias. Fortunately, the dogs can usually live normal, healthy lives if they receive treatment.

  1. Causes and Description

    • Inflammatory bowel disease is a genetic disease that usually appears when a dog is about seven years old. The disease occurs when the lining of the dog's intestines reacts to a protein and becomes inflamed.

      Though hiatal hernias are usually inherited, they can be caused by trauma or breathing difficulties. While a genetic hiatal hernia typically develops before the dog is a year old, an acquired hernia can occur at any time. When a dog has a hiatal hernia, part of his stomach protrudes through an opening in the diaphragm where the food pipe and the stomach connect. Hiatal hernias can also form when part of the esophagus enters the thoracic cavity. When this occurs, gastric reflux enters the esophagus, which becomes inflamed.

    Symptoms

    • Siberian Huskies are gentle, intelligent dogs that require a lot of exercise.

      The primary symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease are recurring prolonged diarrhea (which can take the form of soft stools or a liquid that contains blood or mucus) and vomiting, which may also contain blood. Additional symptoms include weight loss, listlessness, malabsorption of food, dehydration, anemia and malnutrition.

      The symptoms of a hiatal hernia include regurgitation, coughing, refusal to eat, weight loss and vomiting. The dog may also salivate more than usual and be short of breath.

    Diagnosis

    • To confirm that a dog has inflammatory bowel disease, the vet will perform an endoscopy and biopsy of its intestines. The type of inflammatory cell found in the lining of the intestine determines the type of disease, the most common of which is lymphocytic plasmacytic enterocolitis.

      To determine whether the dog has a hiatal hernia, the vet may order X-rays, X-ray imaging or contrast exams. She may also perform an esophagoscopy, which involves using an internal scope to determine inflammation. The esophagoscopy may also show the esophagus protruding into the thorax.

    Treatment

    • A special hypoallergenic diet may control inflammatory bowel disease. The owner will need to try different foods to find one the dog can tolerate, ensuring it does not contain a protein the dog has eaten before. The dog may also need antibiotics for a while to balance the bacterial level in its bowels. Probiotics and/or fiber may also be necessary. If these measures are unsuccessful, the vet may prescribe an immunosuppressive drug -- such as a steroid -- to reduce bowel inflammation.

      If the hernia is not severe, treatment may simply include introducing small, frequent, low-fat meals to the dog. However, if the opening must be closed or the stomach is attached to the abdominal wall, the vet will perform surgery. He may also prescribe antibiotics if the dog develops aspiration pneumonia, which can result from breathing problems relating to the hernia. Additionally, the vet may prescribe drugs to aid digestion and to heal the esophagus.

    Long-term Care

    • Inflammatory bowel disease cannot be healed. Therefore, the dog will probably need to stay on a special diet -- including meals and treats -- for the rest of his life. At some point, the dog may no longer be able to tolerate the diet and additional experiments may need to take place to determine a new food that can be tolerated. Beyond this change in food, the dog should live a normal life.

      If the dog requires surgery for the hernia, he will need after-care treatment. He will need to be monitored carefully as some dogs contract aspiration pneumonia post surgery, which should be treated immediately. Unfortunately, some dogs will experience hernia symptoms again, which means the owner and vet will need to take a new look at causes and determine an adjusted course of treatment.