It would seem that pets can suffer from some of the same ailments as their owners. Since they can't talk you have to read the signs they leave you.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and
Other Gastrointestinal Issues

by Dr. Larry Siegler

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a condition resulting from an inflammatory condition and an infiltration of the gut wall with inflammatory cells.  The lining of the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract may become thickened, nutrient absorption is compromised, and the passage of food and waste material through the gastrointestinal tract is affected. 

The symptoms include:

• chronic diarrhea or loose stools (when the large intestine or colon are involved)
• difficult or painful bowel movements
• distended or tender abdomen
• possibly blood or mucous in the stool (often termed colitis)
• vomiting (when the stomach or upper small intestine are involved)
• loss of appetite and lower energy level

While there can be other, more acute and short term causes of these symptoms, when they become more frequent and chronic then the diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) needs to be explored. 

For the occasional bout of diarrhea, adding some canned pumpkin and probiotics to the food and feeding a bland diet for several meals may be all that is required.  For occasional vomiting, a short fast, bland diet and some slippery elm bark (readily available at health food stores) can do the trick.

The causes of IBD are not always clear but may include poor diet, food allergies and sensitivities, parasitic infections, or adverse drug reactions.  Some veterinarians suspect the overuse of antibiotics and steroids can lead to Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Leaky Gut Syndrome (excessive permeability of the gastrointestinal lining).  Over-vaccination is also suspected in contributing to chronic gastrointestinal problems.

Diagnosis begins with blood and urine tests to rule out more serious conditions such as liver or kidney disease, and a fecal exam to rule out parasites, giardia and bacterial infections.  More advanced diagnostic tools such as x-rays or ultrasound may be suggested to rule out growths or tumors.  If a definitive diagnosis is desired, then a biopsy (obtaining tissue samples) of the intestinal lining is required.

Conventional treatment will often include prescription diets that are frequently bland and not very palatable. Conventional care may also include the use of pharmaceuticals to inhibit the immune response (most commonly steroids) and suppress symptoms.