Leaky Gut Syndrome in Dogs
Leaky gut syndrome is a term used to describe an increase in the permeability of the intestines.
In a healthy pet, the intestinal walls serve as a barrier, keeping foreign materials (e.g., bacteria, food allergens, toxins) out of the body’s circulation and tissues. When food is eaten, it passes through the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, undergoing various stages of digestion along the way, but only certain substances are absorbed by the intestines and permitted to enter the bloodstream.
In a pet with a leaky gut, the barrier function of the intestines is compromised, so substances that would normally pass through the intestines can instead cross the intestinal walls and enter the body’s circulation.