Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Pets

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term used to describe disorders that involve chronic inflammation of your digestive tract that normally affects humans however, this digestive disorder is also common to pets. This disease is defined by an accumulation of inflammatory cells in the lining of a pet’s stomach, small intestine and/or large intestine that caused digestive distress.

Common signs of IBD include chronic vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea and loss of appetite. If IBD is affecting the large intestine, signs include diarrhea with or without blood or mucous present, straining to defecate and increased urgency to defecate.

To diagnose IBD accurately the veterinarian will need to perform a biopsy of the intestines and/or stomach. It can be done through surgery or by using an endoscope, an instrument used to examine inside a pet’s body. Once the biopsy is completed, a pathologist will confirm the diagnosis by examining the cells.

The causes of IBD are still undetermined by veterinarians. However, IBD is suspected to be a result of an abnormal response by the body to certain intestinal bacteria or proteins in a pet’s diet.

Treatment of Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes dietary changes and medication. Dietary change is recommended if your veterinarian believes a protein in the diet is causing the inflammation. Changes to the diet can also encourage nutrient absorption and easy digestion. The veterinarian may recommend limiting certain food ingredients or provide you with a recipe for homemade dog food.

Common medications which veterinarians use to treat IBD include anti-inflammatory drugs such as prednisone, and antibiotics such as metronidazole or tetracycline.


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