Although all of Charlie's dog medical tests were normal, he was never satiated and used to eat everything he found on the street.
But an innovative treatment, which sounded a little disgusting, made Charlie "another dog."
According to his owner, and for the first time in his life, he enjoyed the trip even without looking for leftover food.
Dr. Mia Barak, an integrative veterinarian, who followed Charlie's case was not surprised by the successful outcome of the "stool transplant" treatment, or by its professional name - microbiome transplant, which Charlie underwent: "Microbium is a general name for the entire bacterial, fungal population. "Viruses and other microorganisms that live with us and inside our bodies," Dr. Barak explained.
"We are actually coated with bacteria, all of our internal and external organs live in harmony with the bacterial envelope around them. Our body is actually a habitat for bacteria, and so this bacterial population also affects the health and behavior of our dogs and other pets around us."
Finally enjoying the walks.
The dog Charlie, Photo: Tamar Levy
Dr. Barak continued: “When the bacterial population of our digestive system is harmed - we and our dogs are more prone to weakness and disease. Digestive problems are very common problems among pets and many referrals to veterinary clinics are made due to digestive problems. When our dog has a stomach ache, we can notice changes in his behavior. Dogs with abdominal pain will be more nervous, less calm, may have diarrhea or gas, and also increased appetite or lack of appetite are signs which may indicate weakness of the digestive system. In fact, it's just like ours. "
What exactly is a "fecal transplant"?
"This is a treatment option, which may sound strange and disgusting, but can save the dog's life. We actually take the feces of a healthy dog and using an enema or pill" plant "the feces in the digestive tract of a sick dog. The healthy and positive bacteria enter the sick dog's abnormal system "We start with an operation that helps the dog. It is indeed an 'difficult-to-digest' issue, but studies have shown that transplanting feces can lead to significant health improvement in dogs."
How are gastrointestinal problems caused?
"The problems are actually caused when the function and composition of the microbiome is impaired by poor environmental conditions such as air pollution, stress that weakens the immune system, poor nutrition, various medications and chemicals that we consume. Digestive problems can occur from eating spoiled or stale food, parasites like worms, bacterial infection or Another medical problem.However, stress and an unhealthy lifestyle can also cause digestive problems in our four-legged friends.
Recent studies show that our microbiome composition also affects our character and personality, of course the same goes for our furry friends. The bacterial population in our dog's body can affect his health and mental condition, but it should be noted that the condition is reversible - we can do a lot at home to improve "Our dog's health. By strengthening the digestive system, we can actually rehabilitate the microbiome."
"The way to help a dog - varied food."
Dr. Mia Barak, Photo: Sahar Shachar
What can actually improve the digestive system?
"First of all, in many cases, a dietary change must be made. It is no secret that the food we eat affects our health, and so does our pets. An imbalance in the microbiome population will cause the body to exit a balanced state and eventually to the sick as well.
"Consumption of probiotics (foods that contain beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (the food that the bacteria eat) is necessary for maintaining the dog's health and the integrity of the microbiome. Dogs are champions of self-consumption of probiotics. A wide variety of bacteria that are important for his physical and mental health.You can also add probiotics through foods like yogurt and fermented foods or in the form of a food supplement.
Prebiotics can be consumed by adding fibrous plant foods to your dog's menu. Examples of these foods - vegetables such as sweet potatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, green beans, asparagus, fruits such as banana, pomegranate, pear, date, cereals such as oats and buckwheat, seeds Such as: flax and walnuts, and more "
What should we know and do ourselves with the dog at home?
"The simplest and easiest way to help our beloved dog maintain a strong immune system is to add fresh and varied food to the existing diet. Dry pet food is the most common food available in the pet feeding market. The dry food is nutritionally balanced and contains the nutrients needed by the dog. - But this food is processed food that does not contain fresh fiber.Dry food that is eaten exclusively unchanged for the entire life of the dog may lead to a lack of variety in the microbiome population.
"By adding vegetables, fruits, grains and other high-fiber foods to the dog's menu we can help the dog maintain a strong digestive system with a rich microbiome. Start with a small amount, from each food item separately."
The author, Dr. Mia Barak, a veterinarian, is one of dozens of lecturers who will participate in the "Eat Healthy 12" conference to be held on November 19-18 at the Givatayim Theater.
