Scientists at the Texas A&M Gastrointestinal Laboratory (GI Lab) have pinpointed indicators that can help to detect dogs with a heightened risk of gastrointestinal illness — responsible for over 10% of all new appointments at veterinary clinics — before symptoms become evident.
The research team will now utilize this finding — published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine — to explore whether particular dietary changes can assist in preventing at-risk dogs from developing GI conditions, a potentially life-saving measure for breeds vulnerable to disorders with high fatality rates.
Soft-coated wheaten terriers, for instance, frequently encounter a condition known as protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), which disrupts normal intestinal function, often resulting in fatality within six months following diagnosis.
Other breeds susceptible to gastrointestinal illnesses include German shepherds, Yorkshire terriers, and Staffordshire bull terriers.
“Sometimes, canines predisposed to gastrointestinal issues may live their entire lives without exhibiting any clinical symptoms. For some, symptoms emerge after a stressor affecting the gut, such as an imbalanced diet or the necessity for antibiotics, provokes the development of gastrointestinal disease,” remarked Dr. Katie Tolbert, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, small animal internist, and associate professor in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences’ (VMBS) Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences.
“In this investigation, we discovered that certain biomarkers begin to appear before any symptoms manifest, and we believe this can assist us in identifying dogs prior to them actually developing the disease,” she stated.
Significantly, the researchers identified numerous indicators that signify a heightened risk of disease — not merely one.
“There are various factors occurring in the gut that emerge as markers for elevated risk,” Tolbert explained. “Some dogs might exhibit signs of inflammation, while others may show leaky gut syndrome. Any of these indications can pave the way for GI illness should sufficient alterations be present.”
Tolbert and her team have secured funding to launch a new study to evaluate whether dietary modifications can help to prevent or decelerate the onset of gastrointestinal disease in soft-coated wheaten terriers.
“As a nutrition specialist, I am optimistic that dietary adjustments can serve as a harmless intervention to ameliorate the condition in these dogs,” Tolbert noted. “At the GI Lab, we are also striving to create new diagnostic tools that we aspire will enhance pre-clinical detection capabilities.”
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