Dog - Malabsorption and Bacterial Overgrowth

What is malabsorption and bacterial overgrowth?

Bacterial overgrowth, or, more correctly, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition of the small intestine resulting in a huge increase in the numbers of bowel bacteria.

The bacteria are frequently the same as those found in the normal bowel but they cause damage because of the great increase in numbers. They damage the absorptive surface of the bowel so that even if food has been properly digested it cannot be absorbed through the bowel and into the body, i.e. there is malabsorption of the nutrients.

Is this the same as an infection causing enteritis?

Malabsorption and SIBO both result in diarrhoea as does enteritis due to a specific infection, e.g. salmonella food poisoning. With bacterial overgrowth the diarrhoea is chronic in nature, i.e. often present for weeks or months.

Are any dogs more susceptible than others?

German Shepherd dogs appear to have a higher incidence of malabsorption problems. They are frequently associated with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) but SIBO can occur alone.

What are the usual signs of malabsorption?

Like EPI, the principal sign is weight loss with chronic diarrhoea.

Can it be differentiated from pancreatic insufficiency on the clinical signs alone?

Not usually. Specific blood and faeces tests are necessary. With malabsorption appetite is not as voracious and the diarrhoea is usually not as copious as with EPI.

What causes SIBO?

Many cases are idiopathic, i.e. the cause is unknown. However it is frequently associated with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, (EPI).

Can the condition be cured?

Many cases respond to long term antibiotics, e.g. oxytetracycline for a month or more together with a highly digestible diet with restricted fat content. If relapses do occur, like EPI, long term treatment may be necessary and this can be expensive. Please see handout on EPI. Please contact us if you would like to discuss these problems further.