Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Overview

This condition is very common in both dogs and cats. It involves the benign inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Many breeds may be predisposed to develop IBD and they include basenjis, French bulldogs, boxers, and Siamese cats.

Causes

It is hypothesized that many factors concurrently probably contribute to this disease. The normal bacteria in the intestinal tract triggers the immune system to react and cause inflammation. Diet probably plays a role as does apparent genetic links. It is quite common to not find the causative agent, but treatment is generally effective regardless.

Symptoms

Cats tend to become anorexic first, then develop vomiting or diarrhea or both along with weight loss.Dogs tend to have chronic vomiting episodes, diarrhea, and weight loss.

Treatment

In patients with suspected IBD, a diet change is necessary. Most the time, a bland diet is effective at controlling most of the clinical signs. In more severe cases, an extremely restrictive diet with a novel protein and carbohydrate source is needed, along with oral steroids. The steroids are usually only used during the initial treatment or during relapses which are common, especially during times of stress (boarding, travel, other illness). Antibiotics such as metronidazole or sulfasalazine are also routinely prescribed  and should only be used if the patient is symptomatic. Be aware that it can take several weeks for the diet to become effective and many different diets may need to be administered to obtain desired results. Once an effective diet is found, it should be fed for life and all people food and most treats need to be avoided.In patients that are not responding to diet change or medications, a referral for an intestinal biopsy is necessary. Cancer, foreign bodies, and fungal infections should be ruled out.