Practical Dietary Solutions for Chronic Enteropathy in Dogs: A Case-Based Discussion

Overview:

Gastrointestinal disorders are highly prevalent in veterinary practice. This case management-focused presentation will delve into the complexities of diagnosing and managing these conditions in dogs, emphasizing the importance of a structured, patient-centered approach. We will discuss case assessment techniques and diagnostic strategies including localizing the problem within the gastrointestinal system, relevant workup, and a multimodal treatment approach. The session will highlight appropriate diet selection and nutritional management, including diet trials and supplements that can be tailored to the individual dog. In addition, we will examine the impact of microbiome health on patient outcomes, including the role of antibiotics and their effects on gut flora. The goal of the presentation is to provide actionable insights and strategies to optimize case management and client communications and improve the health and quality of life for dogs with gastrointestinal disorders.

Learning Objectives:

• Present information in a “case-based” learning format to provide practice on efficiently assessing cases, narrowing differentials, selecting appropriate diagnostics, and implementing treatment plans for patients with gastrointestinal disorders.
• Highlight common gastrointestinal disorders in dogs, review patient assessment with history intake (including diet and assessment of clinical signs), physical exam, and relevant laboratory testing and other diagnostics.
• Discuss localization of symptoms within the gastrointestinal tract (small bowel vs. large bowel diarrhea) and learn how this impacts decision-making for nutrition plans, including diet selection and supplements for a multimodal treatment plan.
• Discuss forms of chronic enteropathy (food responsive, fiber responsive, dysbiosis associated, inflammatory bowel disease, and idiopathic/ nonresponsive).
• Discuss avoidance of antibiotic therapies except for select cases where indicate and the negative impacts of antibiotics on microbial diversity. Alternative strategies for supporting the microbiome besides antibiotics will be reviewed.