Remedy for Small Bacterial Overgrowth Syndrome in Dogs

Small bacterial overgrowth syndrome takes place in the small intestine of a dog. As with any disease or illness in a pet, SIBO should be checked out by a veterinarian and treated. SIBO is a little more complicated than other disorders affecting dogs, as the disease can be caused by several factors, which must be treated in order to remedy the problem.

  1. Definition and Symptoms

    • SIBO occurs when bacteria normally found in the colon makes its way to the small intestine. When there is an overabundance of this bacteria, SIBO occurs. Primary symptoms of SIBO include excessive and reoccurring diarrhea. Because of the diarrhea, a dog with SIBO will often experience weight loss. If left untreated, SIBO can cause problems with the dog's pancreas and small intestine. SIBO is most common in German and Shiloh shepherd breeds.

    Diagnosis

    • To determine whether a dog has SIBO or not, there are a few tests that need to be run by a veterinarian. First, the dog's blood may be tested for bacterial levels. There is a blood test that can tell a veterinarian whether or not bacterial levels have recently increased. Another option is a bacterial culture, in which the veterinarian can examine the dog's intestinal waste for certain types and amounts of bacteria.

    Causes

    • SIBO is always a secondary result of a primary cause, and to treat a dog with SIBO, the primary cause needs to be addressed. There are many causes that can result in a dog with SIBO. Breed predisposition and family history are two possibilities in which a primary cause can not be treated. However, if the dog is not predisposed to SIBO, there are other possibilities, most of which involve deficiencies of some sort. Enzyme deficiency can cause SIBO, in addition to bile secretion deficiency and acid production deficiency. All of these primary causes can be treated, as can SIBO.

    Treatment

    • One of the most common treatments for SIBO are antibiotics, prescribed by the dog's veterinarian. In addition to antibiotics, a low-fat diet is recommended. If there is a primary cause of SIBO, that cause must be treated as well, but the treatment depends on the cause. Multivitamins are sometimes required for dogs suffering from SIBO, as the animals lose many vitamins due to diarrhea. Most of the time, SIBO can be remedied as soon as the population of bacteria in the small intestine is reduced, which can happen with proper treatment.