Introduction
Many species of bacteria cannot survive for long periods of time in the stomach due to its acidic environment. However, bacteria in the genus Helicobacter are an important exception to this rule. These bacteria are protected by a coating resistant to gastric juices, and they can invade the tissues of the stomach and lower gastrointestinal tract for further protection from stomach enzymes. There is no breed, gender or age predisposition to this bacterial infection. In fact, infection without clinical signs is common in dogs and cats; many otherwise healthy animals carry this organism. Treatment is recommended when the Heliobacter population causes discomfort, which can range from mild to severe and includes gastritis (inflammation of the tissues lining the stomach), vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and weight loss in dogs, cats and even people.
Treating Helicobacter Infection with Antibiotics
Once a Helicobacter infection is conclusively diagnosed by a veterinarian, the current treatment protocol is fairly straightforward. Various combinations of antibiotics (including metronidazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, doxycycline, others), together with so-called “antacids” (famotidine, omeprazole, others), have proven successful in alleviating the clinical signs of infection.
Metronidazole is a medication that is used to treat anaerobic bacterial and protozoal infections of the stomach, intestines and elsewhere.
Amoxicillin is a moderate-spectrum antibiotic in the penicillin family that is used to treat a number of bacterial infections.
Famotidine is an antisecretory medication which helps to inhibit stomach acid production and can be helpful in treating gastric ulcers.
Remember that all drugs have potential side effects (for example, metronidazole may cause birth defects and should not be given to pregnant animals). Be sure to discuss these with your veterinarian.
Treating Helicobacter Infection with Steroids
In some cases, the combination of antibiotic and antacid therapy will not eradicate the Helicobacter infection. In these cases, your veterinarian may consider steroid treatment to calm the Helicobacter infection symptoms by suppressing your pet’s immune system. Even with successful treatment, the chance of recurrent infection is high, because Heliobacter organisms are so prevalent in the environment and also because it is really difficult to eliminate the entire gastric population of these “bugs.”
Outlook
There is still much to be learned about Helicobacter infection in companion animals. Why are some dogs and cats more susceptible to the bacteria than are others? How exactly does an animal become infected by the bacteria (oral-oral and fecal-oral routes are suspected)? What environmental influences play a role? Can the bacteria cause or contribute to food allergies? Is there any connection between Heliobacter infection and gastric cancer? Once these and other questions are answered, treatment protocols of course may change.
In the meantime, because of the potential for Heliobacter to infect people, you should avoid being licked on the face or sharing utensils, drinking glasses or other forms of mouth-to-mouth contact with affected animals.