Digestion
As with humans proper digestive health is a vital part in the quality of life for your dog. Digestive disorders can be caused by poor nutrition or environmental toxins. Dogs can react poorly to chemical agents, pest control products and vaccines. What starts out as a small problem can quickly turn into a chronic condition if not dealt with promptly. Taking control over what your dog is eating is the first step in helping to prevent any digestive problems.
The Mouth (teeth,gums and jaws):Dogs have forty-two teeth, that are sharp and used in connection with powerful jaw muscles. In the wild these teeth are used to hunt and prey on other animals. They need their teeth to be able to rip off chunks of meat small enough to swallow. Domestic dogs do chew their food, however chewing is not an important part in their digestive process. Proper oral care is vital to good health in your dog and can contribute to proper digestion and nutrition. " Another important function of the mouth is producing saliva. Saliva is 99 percent water; the remaining 1 percent is mucus, inorganic salts and enzymes." Jocelyn Jacobs DVM. Mucus is important because it coats the food making it easier to digest.
Some diseases of the mouth can include gum problems including gingivitis, abscesses and bad teeth. Genetics can also cause interference and structural deficiencies. Supernumerary teeth are too many teeth, brachygnathism is an over-bite and prognathism is an undershot jaw. Any one of these conditions can cause interference with your dog's ability to process food.
To prevent gum and teeth problems examine your dog's teeth weekly to keep on top of any problems that might be developing. Chew toys and crunchy kibble both aid in removing tartar from building up on the teeth. Veterinarians also now recommending brushing your dog's teeth. You can use a regular human toothbrush, or some pet stores have brushes that fit on your finger. Dog toothpaste comes in flavors that your dog will find appealing, and if you are gentle there shouldn't be a problem in getting them to tolerate their weekly teeth cleaning. When dogs get older it is usually necessary to have their teeth cleaned professionally by a veterinarian.
The Esophagus:
The esophagus is what connects the mouth and the rest of the digestive tract. When swallowed, food mixed with saliva travels down the esophagus to the stomach. Muscles contract (peristalsis) while swallowing to push the food downwards through the esophagus. Allergies or chemicals in the air can cause problems with the opening of the esophagus. Upper respiratory disease can also present itself with causing esophagus problems.
The Stomach:
While digestion starts in the mouth for humans, digestion does not begin until the food reaches the stomach for dogs. The stomach is where all the digestive enzymes and acids are added for digestion. Two smaller meals a day are recommended rather then one larger meal a day for your dog. Smaller muscles reduce the stress on the stomach muscles, and a smaller meal doesn't distend the stomach making it more difficult to expose the food to the digestive acids. Active dogs also need plenty of time to rest, in order to allow the food to be properly digested.
The Small Intestine:
The small intestine is a narrow coiled organ that fits into the abdomen. It is considered the most important part of the digestive process, because it digests the vitamins and minerals. In humans the small intestine is about twenty feet long, so all the foods we eat can be digested. Your dog's small intestine is about five times its body length. Dogs are considered carnivores, but they can also digest a few fruits and plant materials. In the small intestine digestive juices from the pancreas, gall bladder and mall intestine break down the fats and proteins and convert them into energy. This energy is then absorbed by the blood stream and carried to the body's cells. As with humans villi, which are small projections on the wall of the small intestine, aid in the absorption process. Chronic conditions, such as allergies, antibiotic overuse and steroids can damage these delicate villi.
The Liver:
The liver secretes bile which is responsible for fat metabolism. It is also responsible for filtering out any harmful substances such as chemicals, poisons and drugs. The liver also stores some of the nutrients to be used later while sending out the other nutrients to the cells to be used immediately. The liver promotes tissue repair, produces serum proteins and destroys and removes old blood cells from the bloodstream. An improper diet can be devastating to the liver. Some dogs are prone to liver disease, and all dogs are unable to metabolize chocolate triggering a toxic reaction.
The Pancreas:
The pancreas produces pancreatic juice which help digest carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It also produces the hormone insulin, which is vital to glucose metabolism. Improper function of the pancreas to lead to disorders such as diabetes and cancer. Dysfunction in the pancreas can be caused by a poor diet, parasites, antibiotics, corticosteroids, chemical exposure or physical trauma. Overweight animals can also suffer from pancreatic irritation. Soft stools and gas are the first warning sign that there may be something wrong with your dog.
Gallbladder:
A dog's gallbladder is a small, sac-like organ located in the abdomen with the liver and the pancreas. Its main function is to store bile; when the common bile duct in the small intestine has too much bile, the gallbladder stores it until it is needed for the breakdown of fats. Common disorders of the gallbladder are gallstones, just like humans only not as hard, and pancreatic tumors that compress the gallbladder and bile cannot be excreted and it may end up in the bloodstream.
Organs and Glands associated with digestion:
The Spleen:
The spleen is a very important organ that supports digestion and the bodies immunity. The spleen is rarely mentioned though because like the appendix, the spleen can be removed entirely without any consequences. The spleen removes and destroys defective or old red blood cells, thus reducing the chance of toxicity build up, and in turn promotes healthy digestion. The spleen can also harvest antibodies needed to fight infections.
The Large Intestine and Colon:
Unlike the small intestine the walls of the large intestine are smooth, and it is responsible for the collection and elimination of metabolic waste. It absorbs any water and electrolytes that remain in the material passing through it. As the food passes through it becomes drier as it makes its way to the rectum to be eliminated from the body. Once again an improper diet can lead to colon disorders like cancer.
The Anus and Anal Glands:
These glands eliminate waste products from the colon. An improper diet that causes excessive toxins to be processed can impact the anal glands. A daily intake of fibers and fluids are needed to produce good stool and express the anal sacs. Without proper elimination of wastes from the body, the body begins to weaken and break down.
Glands that aid digestion:
Adrenal Glands:
In dogs the adrenal glands are two small organs located on each kidney. These glands are responsible for producing the hormones, cortisol, aldosterone and adrenaline. Any abnormal function in the adrenal glands can cause certain diseases like: Addison's disease which is affects the salt and potassium levels in the body and Cushings disease which is the opposite of Addison's disease in which the adrenal glands produce too many hormones. The excessive cortisone's can cause enlargement of the liver.
The Thyroid Gland:
Thy thyroid gland is located in the neck, just above the larynx and encourages proper nutrient and oxygen utilization. It contains two lobes that are buried in the soft tissue on either side of the windpipe. The size of the gland will vary depending on the size and breed of your dog. Hyperthyroidism is diminished thyroid function where it becomes under-active. It can cause your dog to have immune dysfunction, iodine deficiencies, and underdevelopment of the thyroid and pituitary gland. Symptoms include: weight gain, sluggishness and poor coat.