Ronnie, a 5-year-old Vizsla, had battled with uncomfortable symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) since puppyhood. This is his story on how a raw diet helped him tackle his digestive distress, allowing him to live a happy and healthy life.
“We were introduced to Cotswold RAW and the change was almost immediate. To see Ronnie have a desire to eat was so moving… and to see him without the intense gut pain that food had previously brought him was just everything to us.”
Ronnie’s Story
“In June 2019, Ronnie came into our lives. It was evident from very early on that our little ginger pup wasn’t a well or healthy boy. Daily struggles to eat, intense gut pain, daily sickness, lethargy… It was heart breaking to see him like this.
Our vet journey began when he was just six months old, and it wasn’t until the age of two that we got a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). During that time, our boy was stuck at 18kg, complete skin and bone, and unwell most days. He’d either completely refuse food or eat some and then throw it back up.
We tried different types of food, different brands, feeding at different times of the day, varying the height of his bowl, adding supplements, and yet nothing made a difference. We were also very aware that his medicine never really had a chance of getting into his system due to the amount of times he was being sick!
Then we were introduced to Cotswold RAW and the change was almost immediate. To see Ronnie have a desire to eat was so moving. To see his bones disappear underneath a healthy layer of fat and muscle was incredible. And to see him without the intense gut pain that food had previously brought him was just everything to us.
It’s not a coincidence… we absolutely believe that the meals from Cotswold RAW, as well as his medications, have made the difference. There’s no artificial additives, grain or high temperature processing with Cotswold RAW, so it’s easier on the gut to digest the food. Their ingredients support health and vitality which is exactly what Ronnie needed and it’s safe to say, we’re never going to change!”
What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?
IBD in dogs is an inflammatory condition which can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. It is characterised by chronic vomiting, diarrhoea and weight loss. Whilst the cause of IBD is not well understood, is thought to be the result of excessive immune system activity when presented with food. As a result, circulating antibodies are elevated, which target commensal gut bacteria and impair absorption of nutrients. It is hypothesised that a myriad of factors, such as genetic predisposition, intestinal inflammation, and dysbiosis can play a role in the development of IBD.
How Does Raw Help IBD?
A raw diet is an excellent option for a dog with IBD, as it is easily digestible, nutrient dense and provides a host of live digestive enzymes to support nutrient absorption. The fresh, quality, protein and nutrients in raw allows dogs to efficiently absorb calories and build healthy, lean muscle mass The shift from dry food to raw can result in higher abundance of the commensal bacterium P. hiranonis in the gut of raw fed dogs, which converts primary bile acids to secondary bile acids. As bile acid dysregulation is common in dogs with IBD, this benefit is essential to support digestion and the gut microbiota.
Want Further Information On How Raw Supports Gut Health?
See our gut health chapters linked below:
- The Dog’s Digestive System: Go With Their Gut
- The Gut Microbiome and It’s Links to Overall Health: Healthy Gut, Healthy Dog
- Common Gut Conditions in Dogs
- How Diet Impacts Gut Health: Food For Though
Looking to enhance your pet’s diet? Take a look at Cotswold RAW’s range of raw dog food and raw cat food, including raw meaty bones, dried treats, and puppy food.