VD Gastrointestinal & Pancreas for dogs

In this article you will learn:

• How does the digestive system work
• what are the most common causes and manifestations of diseases of the digestive tract
• What is a microbiome, and why is it important?
• why it is appropriate to start with a veterinary diet
• when and how the Calibra gastrointestinal diet helps

Digestive disorders / digestive tract illnesses:

Digestive disorders are one of the most common problems for dogs – and therefore
a reason to visit the veterinarian, whether it’s an acute problem (lasting a few hours or
days) or a chronic condition (lasting for weeks).

Based on the symptoms that your dog presents, the location of the problem can often be
determined:

• Abnormalities in biting, chewing, and swallowing are generally associated with illnesses
  of the mouth, teeth, jaw or esophagus.
• Vomiting is usually caused by inflammation of the lining of the stomach or intestines
  (gastroenteritis) as a result of an infection or irritation (such as a dietary mistakes).
• Diarrhea is the most common clinical symptom associated with illnesses of the intestines.

Diarrhea and/or vomiting leads to the reduced intake and absorption of basic nutrients, resulting in metabolic decline.

With illnesses affecting the digestive system, it is therefore
very important to get a diagnosis quickly and to begin therapy, and to choose an appropriate
and balanced diet.

In many cases, a proper diet can have a significant effect on the success of the therapy.

 

 

How does the digestive system work?

Dogs are carnivores, which means that their body requires a high portion of nutrients of animal origin and high-quality animal proteins.

Processing of food begins in the oral cavity, where preparation fordigestion takes place.

Food then moves through the esophagus towards the stomach, where the digestion of proteins begins. This process is enabled by the anatomy of the stomach and the presence of stomach acids, which activate enzymes that digest proteins further in the small intestine.

The digested food then moves from the stomach to the small intestine. The small intestine is the central organ for breaking down macronutrients (fats, proteins, sugars) into simple components capable of absorption by intestinal cells called enterocytes. They are then transported across the body and used in the cells as a source of energy or as building materials (such as muscles).

The pancreas produces enzymes necessary for breaking down macronutrients. Enzymes are released into the small intestine. With the help of activated enzymes, the small intestine can digest and absorb proteins as well as fats and sugars.

The large intestine is where the final absorption of water and minerals takes place; the content is concentrated and formed into stools.

Causes of disorders in digestive processes:

If the processes described above are disrupted in any way, it can
affect the function of the entire organism. Key causes of issues include:

• Infection (caused by bacteria/viruses)
• Parasites/worms
• Dietary mistakes (bad quality of food / adverse food reactions)
• Pancreatic inflammation or its insufficiency (reduced function),
  which leads to insufficient production of enzymes that are necessary for macronutrients digestion
• Swallowing a foreign object
• Reaction on medications and poisons
• Other systemic illnesses (relating to other organs)

 

Typical clinical symptoms of gastrointestinal illnesses:

• Excessive salivation/drooling
• Diarrhea/constipation
• Vomiting/regurgitation
• Loss of appetite
• Blood in stool
• Pain and swelling in the abdomen
• Difficulties with excretion
• Shock and dehydration

 

The importance of nutrition by GI issues

A properly chosen food has a positive effect on the progress of illnesses and convalescence.

Any issue of the digestive tract leads to changes in the intestinal microflora and the disruption of the digestive tract’s physiological function:

• Loss of fluids and potential dehydration.
• Disruption of digestion and absorption can cause insufficiencies of some nutrients like vitamins and important ions.
• Loss of protein.

In general, it is recommended to use a food that primarily provides high nutritional and
energetic value in small portions, i.e. highly palatable and highly digestible balanced food.

How the Calibra Gastrointestinal & Pancreas Veterinary Diet
helps your dog?

It provides a nutritionally balanced portion, with sufficient quantities of nutrients for sick or
sensitive digestive tracts. It contains:

• Highly digestible sources of protein (dried eggs, hydrolyzed salmon, salmon)
• Highly digestible sources of carbohydrates with very low allergenic
  potential (rice) – gluten-free
• Reduced fat
• Hypoallergenic formula without wheat, corn, soya, added gluten

Provides the proper amounts of beneficial additives:

• Vitamins

  Recommend to you

  Calibra VD Dog konz. Gastrointestinal 400g NEW

  Veterinary Diets Consult with your vet Brand new

  Intended use: 

  Reduction of Intestinal Absorptive Disorders  

  Compensation for Maldigestion

  Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency 

  

  Product detail
• Minerals/ions
• Prebiotics, probiotics, and other functional additives

Rapid a high digestibility supports the digestive processes and allows nutrients to be absorbed as fast as possible. A lower quantity of fat reduces pancreatic irritation. Prebiotics, including fructooligosaccharides, mannanoligosaccharides, yeasts, and special yeast cultures, support the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria - the intestinal microbiome (colonization of the intestinal surface). If the microbiome works well, the growth of pathogens is suppressed.
Lactobacillus acidophilus (inactivated), which acts as probiotics, together with beta-glucans significantly improve the immune processes in the intestines. Extracts of turmeric decaffeinated green tea, and Yucca schidigera all play a role, as well as unique fulvic acids, which contribute to stabilizing the digestive tract.

What is a microbiome, and why is it important?

A microbiome comprises the microorganisms that live on the surface of the body or the mucus membranes (bacteria, viruses, fungi) and consists of far more cells than the total number of cells in the host organism is. Disruption of the microbiome can affect the overall function of the organism. Microbiome supports the host’s metabolism by microbial digestion of non-digestible components of food such as complex polysaccharides (known as fiber) and transforms these components into important metabolites with concrete function, e.g. energy-rich short-chain fatty acids that act as the source of energy for enterocytes. This process also pushes pH in the intestinal environment down, what naturally reduces the amount of pathogens. “Good” bacteria produce proteins and peptides with antimicrobial properties and compete for available nutrients with pathogenic bacteria, thereby significantly protecting the host.

What is Lactobacillus acidophilus – inactivated

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic - alive bacteria - that is commonly found in natural intestinal microflora. Calibra uses inactivated bacterial cultures in Gastrointestinal & Pancreas VD with so-called paraprobiotic effects. It means that inactivated culture contains the same components as alive bacteria and the immune system acts in the same way showing off similar effects as by viable bacterial cultures.
The advantage of this inactive form is that it is not necessary to protect its viability, whether during the food production process or in the aggressive environment of the stomach.

What are fulvic acids?

Fulvic acids are referred to as a group of organic acids that originate in the
organic components of soils (humus). By adding them to the food we add the component that has always been a part of the natural nutrition of animals. Their primary function is to bind and remove toxins and heavy metals from the intestinal environment. They are also known for their positive effect on the absorption of nutrients and their anti-inflammatory properties.

 

Gastrointestinal & Pancreas Veterinary Diet helps alleviate:

• Acute and chronic digestive tract illnesses
• Pancreatic disorders
• Episodes of diarrhea
• Digestive problems in dogs with sensitive digestion when used long-term

How can I see if the diet works?

The most reliable and clearest indication of the effectiveness of therapy/food is byexamining the stool quality. A fecal score system is used.

If digestion is working properly, stools have an optimal consistency without foreign bodies. If diarrhea/constipation is observed, it is clear we face a problem that needs to be diagnosed. Chronic (long-lasting) diarrhea can be dangerous, as the organism loses not only water but also important nutrients. Food moves through the intestines so quickly that the necessary nutrients are unable to permeate cells, and the body therefore cannot utilize them. The body must then take nutrients from its own tissues and internal sources, and the animal begins to lose condition, activity, and weight. As a result, the reduced energy levels can lead to apathy.

One of the first indicators that a diet is working is the improvement of stool consistency.

...and finally...

The Calibra Gastrointestinal diet has been specially developed by veterinarians based on the latest scientific information. Its high digestibility and balanced nutrients prevent the overload of the digestive tract and stimulate the normal physiological function of the intestines. This means that even small amounts (compared with normal meal sizes) can provide the daily required nutrients. During treatment, the recommended daily amount should be divided into multiple smaller portions given throughout the day to avoid the overload of the GI tract. Today, veterinary diets stand somewhere between medicine and food, and they help support treatment strategy in the most natural way.
Calibra Gastrointestinal & Pancreas VD fulfills this role. Furthermore - you can feed it to
your dog on a long-term basis or even for his entire life.