Inflammatory Bowel Disease - IBD
What is IBD?
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is a collection of disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that include persistent, recurrent GI signs and includes histological evidence of inflammation. These symptoms typically occur longer than 3 months.
There are several ways to classify IBD:
Diagnosis is made by:
When our pets experience GI inflammation, they attempt to soothe their belly by eating grass or abnormal objects (watch out for foreign bodies), excessive grooming (cats), vomiting bile, and if inflammation is severe enough, hematemesis- or vomiting blood.
Diarrhea can vary as well, depending on the area of inflammation.
There are several ways to classify IBD:
- Is it affecting the small and/or large intestine? (Need a refresher on anatomy? Check out the gastrointestinal homepage.) What are the symptoms?
- Is it idiopathic (of unknown cause), or immune-mediated (when the body is attacking itself)?
- Does it respond to food, antibiotics, or immunosuppresive medications?
Diagnosis is made by:
- Clinical signs your pet may be exhibiting, quantified by the Canine IBD Activity Index score (see image below),
- Exclusion of other causes for GI upset including dietary indiscretion, toxins, parasites, medications, and other systemic diseases,
- Histological changes consistent with intestinal inflammation seen on biopsy.
When our pets experience GI inflammation, they attempt to soothe their belly by eating grass or abnormal objects (watch out for foreign bodies), excessive grooming (cats), vomiting bile, and if inflammation is severe enough, hematemesis- or vomiting blood.
Diarrhea can vary as well, depending on the area of inflammation.
Canine IBD Activity Index Score as described by Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2003
Which is it? Small or Large Intestine?
Small Bowel - Upper Intestines
If the disease is present in the small intestines (duodenum, jejunum, or ileum) your pet may have vomiting, decreased appetite, and/or diarrhea. With small intestinal disorders, the stools tend to be watery and larger volumes with a normal frequency. This is due to the fact that the small intestines are responsible for If dark stools, such as black and/or tarry, are seen it can indicate bleeding within the small intestines. This is called melena.
Large Bowel - Lower Intestines
With large intestinal diarrhea, blood or mucus can be seen. Our pets tend to have increased frequency to pass stool as well as straining.
If the disease is present in the small intestines (duodenum, jejunum, or ileum) your pet may have vomiting, decreased appetite, and/or diarrhea. With small intestinal disorders, the stools tend to be watery and larger volumes with a normal frequency. This is due to the fact that the small intestines are responsible for If dark stools, such as black and/or tarry, are seen it can indicate bleeding within the small intestines. This is called melena.
Large Bowel - Lower Intestines
With large intestinal diarrhea, blood or mucus can be seen. Our pets tend to have increased frequency to pass stool as well as straining.
IBD tends to affect middle aged and older dogs, whereas cats can be affected at any age. Since IBD is a diagnosis made by ruling out other diseases, so several tests may be recommended. Routine blood work may be recommended to assess your pets overall body function. It is important in patients that are exhibiting GI symptoms, that hydration status is assessed, and dehydration is corrected if needed. Other tests that may be recommended includes measuring pancreatic lipase, folate, and cobalamine (B12) levels. Low vitamin B12 is a common finding in patients experiencing gastrointestinal inflammation. Abdominal radiographs may also be recommended to rule out GI obstruction, and/or abdominal ultrasound to assess the thickness of the intestinal layers. If treatment is started, but response is inadequate, an endoscopic procedure may be recommended to obtain biopsy samples and confirm intestinal inflammatory cell type.
Treatment tends to be based on symptom severity, length of time of clinical signs, as well as response to treatments. Generally, it is recommended to start with a food trial, as well as deworming your pet. When trying your pet on a food trial, it is recommended to try a diet with a single source protein, generally a protein your pet has never had before. Sticking with a strict diet is key when going through a food trial, so no treats for you baby. It is important to understand, your pet may not show significant change to a new diet for 4-6 weeks, so don’t get discouraged and stick with it. When considering a new diet, highly digestible and low-fat diets are recommended along with a novel protein. High fat foods can contribute to protein loss within the gut and osmotic diarrhea.
When treating your pet with possible IBD, communication and follow up with your veterinarian is key. It is important to inform your veterinarian if any changes occur, so as treatments can be tailored to your pet’s needs. Additional treatments may be needed if the disease progresses, including antimicrobials, probiotics, and in some cases, immunosuppressive medications to reduce inflammation. If any questions arise, you know to always call your friendly neighborhood veterinary technician .
When treating your pet with possible IBD, communication and follow up with your veterinarian is key. It is important to inform your veterinarian if any changes occur, so as treatments can be tailored to your pet’s needs. Additional treatments may be needed if the disease progresses, including antimicrobials, probiotics, and in some cases, immunosuppressive medications to reduce inflammation. If any questions arise, you know to always call your friendly neighborhood veterinary technician .