Hey there, pet parents. If your dog seems to be plagued by chronic vomiting, diarrhea, or a poor appetite, you might be dealing with more than just a sensitive stomach. You could be looking at Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). IBD is a complex and often frustrating condition, but with a proper diagnosis and a tailored management plan, you can get your pup feeling better.
What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?
IBD is not a single disease, but rather a syndrome characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
What happens is the lining of the GI tract becomes invaded by inflammatory cells (like lymphocytes, plasmacytes, or eosinophils). This inflammation thickens the gut wall, making it difficult to absorb nutrients and for food to pass through normally. This leads to the classic signs of GI upset.
IBD can affect the stomach, the small intestine, the large intestine, or all of the above. The type of inflammatory cells and the location of the inflammation determine the specific type of IBD.
It's important to understand that IBD is a diagnosis of exclusion. This means your vet has to rule out all other possible causes of chronic GI upset before they can land on a diagnosis of IBD.
Spotting the Signs of IBD
The signs of IBD are often chronic (meaning they've been going on for weeks or months) and may wax and wane.
- •Chronic Vomiting: This is a common sign, especially if the stomach is inflamed.
- •Chronic Diarrhea: If the small intestine is affected, you might see large volume diarrhea. If the large intestine (colon) is affected, you might see frequent, small amounts of diarrhea with mucus or fresh blood.
- •Weight Loss: This is a major sign, as the inflamed gut can't absorb nutrients properly.
- •Changes in Appetite: Your dog might have a decreased appetite or be a very picky eater.
- •Lethargy: Just not feeling well.
What Causes IBD?
We don't know the exact cause of IBD, but it's thought to be a complex interplay of factors:
- •Genetics: Certain breeds like German Shepherds, Boxers, and Basenjis are predisposed.
- •The Immune System: It's believed that the immune system in the gut is over-reacting to something, like food, bacteria, or parasites.
- •The Gut Microbiome: An imbalance in the normal bacteria of the gut may play a role.
- •Diet: A specific food protein may be triggering the inflammation.
The Road to Diagnosis: A Process of Elimination
Diagnosing IBD is a step-by-step process to rule out other causes.
- •Basic Workup: Your vet will start with bloodwork, a fecal test to check for parasites, and sometimes abdominal X-rays. This helps to rule out other diseases.
- 1Deworming: Your vet will likely treat your dog with a broad-spectrum dewormer, even if the fecal test is negative.
- 2Diet Trial: This is a critical step. Your vet will prescribe a strict 8-12 week diet trial with either:
- 3A hydrolyzed protein diet: In these prescription diets, the proteins are broken down into such small pieces that the immune system can't recognize them.
- •A novel protein diet: This is a diet with a single protein source that your dog has never been exposed to before, like kangaroo, rabbit, or venison. During a diet trial, your dog can have nothing else by mouth except the special food and water. No treats, no table scraps, no flavored medications. If the GI signs resolve on the diet, the diagnosis is a food-responsive enteropathy (which is a form of IBD).
- •Antibiotic Trial: Sometimes, a course of antibiotics like metronidazole or tylosin is tried to see if the signs are due to an imbalance in the gut bacteria.
- 4Intestinal Biopsy: If the dog does not respond to a strict diet trial or antibiotics, the only way to get a definitive diagnosis of IBD is to take a biopsy (a small tissue sample) of the intestinal lining. This is usually done via endoscopy, where a camera is passed into the stomach and intestines. A pathologist will then look at the tissue under a microscope to see the type and severity of the inflammatory cells.
Treatment: The Three Pillars of IBD Management
If a dog is diagnosed with true, idiopathic IBD (meaning we can't find an underlying cause), the treatment is aimed at reducing the inflammation in the gut.
- •Diet: Many dogs with IBD will need to stay on a special hydrolyzed or novel protein diet for life.
- 1Antibiotics: Some dogs are kept on long-term antibiotics like metronidazole or tylosin to help control the gut bacteria.
- 2Immunosuppressants: This is the cornerstone of treatment for true IBD. The goal is to suppress the over-active immune system in the gut.
- 3Steroids (like Prednisone): This is usually the first-line treatment. Most dogs respond well to steroids, and then the dose is tapered down to the lowest effective dose.
- •Other Immunosuppressants: If a dog doesn't tolerate steroids well, other drugs like cyclosporine or chlorambucil may be used.
Managing IBD can be a long and sometimes frustrating journey. It often requires a lot of trial and error to find the right combination of diet and medication that works for your dog. But with patience and a close partnership with your veterinarian, you can help your dog feel much better.
Sources & Further Reading:
- •VCA Animal Hospitals - Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs
- 1Merck Veterinary Manual - Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Small Animals