Inflammatory Bowel Disease Symptoms in Dogs: Key Indica

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is most commonly seen in older animals, but there are also forms of IBD that can affect younger dogs, though typically not those under the age of 5. Breeds at a higher risk for IBD include German Shepherds, Boxers, Shetland Sheepdogs, and Rottweilers.

IBD can lead to a range of clinical symptoms, ranging from mild gastrointestinal issues to severe systemic illnesses.

Symptoms of Dog Inflammatory Bowel Disease:

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Weight loss

Loss of appetite or increased appetite

Lethargy

Excessive flatulence

Noisy bowel sounds

Abdominal discomfort

Blood or mucus in feces

Straining to defecate

Diagnosis of Dog Inflammatory Bowel Disease:

Comprehensive medical history and physical examination

Complete blood count (CBC)

Blood chemistry analysis

Urinalysis

Stool tests for parasites, protozoa, and bacteria

Pancreatic elastase immunoreactivity test (a pancreatic function test)

Assessment of overgrowth of bacteria in the intestines

Xray examination

Abdominal ultrasound

Food trial

Intestinal biopsy

Treatment of Dog Inflammatory Bowel Disease:

Dietary therapy

Antibiotics

Corticosteroids, which have antiinflammatory properties and can suppress the immune system

Sulfasalazine, which can also have antiinflammatory effects in the colon

Other immunosuppressive drugs

Home Care and Prevention:

Follow your veterinarian's instructions for all prescribed medications for your dog. It's crucial to adhere strictly to the dietary recommendations provided by your vet. Feed only the specified food and avoid giving table scraps or other foods, including natural chew toys like rawhide.

Closely monitor your dog's condition to observe for any adverse reactions or worsening of symptoms related to treatment. If your dog experiences persistent vomiting and diarrhea, continued weight loss, loss of appetite, and lethargy, contact your veterinarian immediately.

There are currently no preventive measures for IBD, making it a challenging condition to prevent. If the disease recurs after initial treatment, your dog may require longterm or even lifelong management.

More Information on Dog Inflammatory Bowel Disease:

Although IBD is a common cause of chronic vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats, the exact cause of IBD remains unclear. Proposed mechanisms include an abnormal immune response of the immune system to normal gut bacteria or various components of ingested food (such as allergies), as well as an appropriate immune response to pathogens that cause disease.

Dietary factors are believed to have a significant impact on the progression of the disease, as many animals respond well to dietary therapy. Regardless of the cause, IBD can lead to vomiting and diarrhea resulting from the infiltration of white blood cells into the intestinal lining. This infiltration causes inflammation and inhibits the normal digestion and absorption of food. Additionally, abnormal intestinal motility can lead to some clinical symptoms associated with IBD.

There are several different types of IBD, which are distinguished based on the type of white blood cells involved in the inflammation. The symptoms in pets depend on whether the inflammatory process occurs in the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract. Animals with upper gastrointestinal disease often exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, increased frequency of defecation, weight loss, and occasionally dark, tarry stools, which may indicate bleeding in the intestines, possibly accompanied by flatulence and noisy gastrointestinal sounds. Animals with low blood sugar may also experience vomiting.

Diarrhea is characteristic of lower gastrointestinal disease. Lower gastrointestinal disease typically presents with: more frequent defecation, smaller stool volume, difficulty defecating, fresh blood or mucus in the stool, and a greater sense of urgency. Animals with lower gastrointestinal disease usually do not experience significant weight loss.

Upper and lower gastrointestinal IBD are more common in dogs, while cats are more commonly affected by upper gastrointestinal IBD. Many diseases can cause vomiting and diarrhea, so it is important to differentiate them from IBD. These diseases include:

Diseases involving other body systems that can have gastrointestinal side effects, such as those affecting the kidneys or urinary tract, liver, immune system, and endocrine system (glands that produce hormones).

Bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract. Bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Clostridium can infect the gastrointestinal tract and cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Parasitic infections. Gastrointestinal worms or flagellates (a type of protozoan) can also cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Food allergies or intolerance. Animals that are allergic to certain foods may also experience vomiting and diarrhea.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The pancreas plays a crucial role in food digestion. If the pancreas cannot produce the necessary enzymes to help digest food, it can lead to diarrhea, and to a lesser extent, vomiting.

Gastrointestinal fungal disease. Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection that can affect the gastrointestinal tract and cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Cancer (tumors). Cancers affecting the gastrointestinal tract, particularly lymphosarcoma, can cause symptoms similar to IBD. Lymphosarcoma is a lymphoid tissue tumor that can easily grow in the gastrointestinal tract.