German Shepherd Dogs are at high risk of
developing a life-threatening disease called Toxic Gut Syndrome.
Within a matter of a few hours after the condition begins, your
dog could die. While it's most prominent in German Shepherd dogs,
other breeds are at risk as well, both from this condition and
several related ones.Fortunately, you
can take steps to help prevent your dog from acquiring this
devastating illness.
Use Yoghurt To Help Prevent Toxic Gut
Syndrome In German Shepherd Dogs
German Shepherd dogs are especially
susceptible to Toxic Gut Syndrome for a number of reasons, going
back to the 1980s when breeders began close breeding German
Shepherds. This was done to bring out the dogs' best and strongest
features. Such close breeding has been known to suppress a dog's
immune system.
The compromised immune system can cause a
high level of an intestinal bacteria that is normally present in
small amounts. When the bacteria gets out of control, however, it
can cause dangerous toxins to enter the dog's blood stream. In a
very short time, it can cause death from toxic poisoning.
There is a lesser form of this intestinal
infection that can also affect other breeds of dogs, however the
German Shepherd dogs are most prone to Clostridial enterotoxemia,
or Toxic Gut Syndrome.
All told, there are three similar conditions
that are common: bloat/torsion, mesenteric torsion and Toxic Gut
Syndrome. In bloat/torsion, a rapid build-up of stomach gas can
cause the dog's stomach to twist. In mesenteric torsion, which
causes the dog's small intestine to twist, the gas build-up is not
as severe.
Bloat/torsion can be recognized by a sudden
and rapid expansion of your dog's stomach. A dog with mesenteric
torsion presents with a strange, hunched-over posture. These
events cause the intestine to lose its blood supply, causing
death.
By design, German Shepherd dogs have a
unique, high chest which means that their intestinal profile is
unlike dogs with lower chests. The breed also has a lower than
normal pancreatic enzyme production. This enzyme provides an early
defense against disease by slowing the growth of bacteria in the
intestines.
Since German Shepherd dogs do not have
sufficient enzyme production, it's important to control this
bacterial buildup on a daily basis to help prevent Toxic Gut
Syndrome.
Yoghurt is the ideal solution
One of the best ways to combat the threat is
to introduce more of the friendly bacteria and enzymes into the
dog's system. Yoghurt contains the required enzymes and
lactobacilli, the good bacteria, in healthy numbers. This bacteria
helps to fight back the bad bacteria in the intestinal tract and
encourage intestinal health through natural cleaning.
While yoghurt is easy and convenient to use,
German Shepherd dogs and other breeds love the taste and will eat
it readily. Given daily, you can help ward off these dangerous
intestinal diseases.
For a higher concentration of the friendly
bacteria and enzymes, you can purchase supplements that will do
the trick. Check with your local veterinarian or pet food retail
outlet for more information on how digestive enzymes and live
acidophilus bacteria supplements can help save the lives of your
German Shepherd dogs.
