Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an immune condition that results from your pet’s body attacking the lining of his or her intestinal tract. This results in an inability to absorb nutrients and digest food effectively. IBD is one of the most common causes of chronic vomiting and diarrhea in pets. The underlying cause remains unclear.
Symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Bloody stool
- Black, tarry stool
- Gas
- Straining to defecate
- Weight loss
- Increased or decreased appetite
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Defecating outside the litter box (cats)
Diagnostics:
Either endoscopic or surgical intestinal biopsies can only make a definitive diagnosis of IBD. Additional diagnostics that may be of benefit in confirming suspicion for IBD, or to rule out other disorders, include:
- Blood chemistry panel
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Abdominal X-rays
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Viral testing: parvovirus in dogs and FeLV/FIV in cats
- Fecal tests, including fecal cultures
Treatment:
Treatment for inflammatory bowel disease is directed at reducing the body’s inflammatory response through the use of steroids and/or other anti-inflammatories/immunosuppressant medications. Dietary management can also be helpful in reducing the risk of your pet’s gastrointestinal tract reacting to various proteins. Some pets will also benefit from vitamin B12 and probiotic supplementation.