The use of probiotic compounds as an adjunct in the control of canine inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common disease in clinical practice, both in human and veterinary medicine. The search for effective therapies has been a constant target of research, since the individual who lives in this condition has a reduced quality of life and a predisposition to the development of neoplasms. The barrier formed by the intestinal membrane between the internal and external media prevents antigens and toxins present in the intestinal lumen from gaining access to the tissues. For this, the permeability of the membrane must be stable, which is aided by the presence of probiotic bacteria. Dysbiosis is a factor that can lead to the establishment of IBD, as pathogenic bacteria seem to alter the permeability balance of the intestinal membrane, making it weaker. This review aimed to demonstrate the therapeutic results of the use of cocktail of probiotics in dogs with IBD. The use of probiotic compounds, both alone and in association with drug therapies, appears to be effective for the treatment of canine chronic inflammatory bowel disease. They have shown an effect on maintaining the permeability of the intestinal barrier and, consequently, on the remission of the inflammatory condition and on the decrease of the activity index of canine inflammatory bowel disease.