HealthLinks Upstate May-Aug 2023

80 | www.Ups tatePhys i c i ansSC . com | www.Hea l thL i nksUps tate. com Five minutes into your dinner party, your dog meanders in to greet your guests. Seconds after he enters the room, he plops down and scoots his boot for about 2 feet and then stops to lick his paws or scratch an ear. The symptoms are more than embarrassingly obvious, but the root cause is often missed: gut health. “Twenty-seven years ago, when I graduated from vet school and began practicing, there was no take on the microbiome or probiotics at the time,” explained James Southard Jr., DVM. “As science progressed, we began to realize how the microbiome is woven into the fabric of our well-being,” From his practice at Air Harbor Veterinary Clinic in West Ashley, Dr. Southard has witnessed the effects of imbalances of the microbiome in dogs, and the signals that something is amiss may surprise you. “The obvious signs are digestive upsets: bloating, gas and diarrhea,” Dr. Southard noted. “But we’re also watchful for inflammatory skin conditions. Scratching at the ears, licking feet, rectal itching and even food allergies tell us, even without digestive issues, that something is wrong in the gut.” “All allergies are simply inflammation,” Dr. Southard revealed, explaining the process in simple terms. “Your dog’s body’s response to pathogens or stress is to protect itself, so cells get angry and release inflammatory mediators. If the microbiome is in good shape, it won’t overreact or cause inflammation that triggers the allergy response.” Both “good” and “bad” bacteria dwell in a dogs’ microbiome. An overpopulation of “good” can lead to digestive issues; too much of the “bad” drives inflammation that instigates innumerable diseases, including cancer. This imbalance is called “dysbiosis.” “Seventy to 80% of one’s immune system cells live in the gut, so any sort of imbalance can affect your dog’s health,” Dr. Southard said. A healthy diet, exercise and regular checkups should be all a dog needs to keep its tummy in tiptop shape, but factors such as age, illness, medications and environment contribute to dysbiosis. “We glean a lot of information during a routine visit, especially when discussing the dog’s history. Skin issues and definitely the “scoot,” Dr. Southard said, “are signs that your dog’s microbiome is out of balance.” GOT BOOT SCOOT? SCRATCHY EARS? CHECK YOUR DOG’S GUT HEALTH By Amy Gesell

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