STRATEGIES TO BATTLE FELINE IBD

By Anita Greenberg,DVM. member of Old Bridge Township Council since 2016

Chronic vomiting or diarrhea may signal that your cat has inflammatory bowel disease [IBD].

These frequent bouts of an irritated and inflamed gastrointestinal tract occur most often in middle-aged and older cats.

If the stomach is the primary site, the condition is called gastritis. If the small intestine is inflamed, it is referred to as enteritis. And if the site is the large intestine, it is called colitis. The clinical signs of IBD can mimic that of other disorders, making diagnosis challenging without a fairly thorough work-up.

Common signs of feline IBD include vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, bloody stool, lethargy and decreased appetite.

Inflammation of the stomach and small intestine in the cat may cause chronic vomiting. While, inflammation in the colon will likely lead to chronic diarrhea.

Making a diagnosis of feline IBD requires an extreme work-up, starting with baseline blood work, fecal exam, x-rays and an ultrasound. B vitamins - B12 and folate - are measured in the bloodstream, as IBD hinders the absorption of these vitamins from the gastrointestinal [GI] tract. A hypoallergenic food trial may also be conducted if food allergies are suspected.

To achieve a definitive diagnosis of IBD, an intestinal or gastric biopsy is necessary, either by endoscopy or exploratory surgery.

Treatment involves suppression of the inflammatory response in the GI tract by using prescription diets and immuno-suppressive drugs. Hypoallergenic diets use a protein source new to the cat. Hydrolyzed diets are those in which the proteins are in fragments so small that they are not detected by the immune system, preventing it from overreacting.

Metronidazole is used for its antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-protozoal properties.

Prebiotics and probiotics promote good bacterial populations in the GI tract, establishing good GI health. Supplementing with folate or vitamin B12 is recommended.

Although IBD is not curable, it can be controlled so that affected cats can live a comfortable life. Keeping the disease in check requires strict compliance with dietary and medical therapies.