Inflammatory Bowel Disease ( IBD) is a common and occasionally frustrating disease in cats. Cats of any age can be affected. IBD is considered a precancerous condition in some cats and can transform into intestinal lymphoma with time.

Symptoms may include diarrhea, blood in the stool, vomiting, constipation, weight loss, lethargy, anorexia, or a combination of any of these problems. Some cats will have fecal accidents in the house due to increased urgency to defecate and painfulness upon defecation. Like many diseases, IBD can present as mild with few symptoms, or can be very severe with marked weight loss and severe intestinal distress. It can present along with other diseases or alone. The severity of the signs will determine how aggressive the diagnostics and therapeutic options must be.

IBD appears to be a disease that is caused by or exacerbated by allergic responses in the gut. Stress in the form of environmental changes, changes in diet, new family members, new pets, moves to new homes, and other illnesses can aggravate IBD. Sensitivities to certain parasites, food proteins, bacterial overgrowth, viruses, and nutritional deficiencies have all been documented as causes of IBD in some cats.

Diagnosing IBD requires some "detective" work on the part of your veterinarian. There are many problems and disorders that can cause the above signs, and your cat will need certain tests performed. There is no one specific blood test for IBD. Hyperthyroidism, parasites, intestinal foreign objects, pancreatic disease, certain infections, and certain cancers can all cause similar signs to IBD and must be considered and ruled out as possible causes for your pet’s symptoms. Your veterinarian will usually perform baseline diagnostic tests initially. These tests include a complete blood cell count (CBC), a blood chemistry panel, a thyroid test, a urinalysis, a heartworm test, an internal fecal parasite exam and often abdominal radiographs. The results of these tests determine the treatment plan, as well as any further diagnostics tests needed. Some cats may require special stool checks such as fecal DNA testing for certain bacteria, blood levels of intestinal hormones and/or folic acid and Vitamin B 12, allergy testing, and feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency testing. Many cats require intestinal biopsies for accurate diagnosis.

If your cat’s problems are relatively mild and intermittent, an initial approach after baseline testing may consist of dietary changes, deworming, and a course of antibiotics or steroids. Some pets may need injectable B vitamins, a probiotic (a gut bacterial modifier), such as Acetylator, and regular steroid administration. If symptoms do not improve sufficiently, biopsies will be needed to look for lymphoma. More potent immunosuppressive drugs such as chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, azulfidine, and others are possibilities in resistant cases.

The majority of cats with IBD respond well to treatment and continue to live happy and healthy lives with their families. Their medication needs may wax and wane in a cyclical manner, and treatment is adjusted accordingly. Your cat will probably require more frequent veterinary visits than in the past, and you will need to be observant about any changes in weight, appetite, activity and attitude. Please contact us on a regular basis with progress reports, or for us to help you with any questions or concerns regarding your feline family member.

Kentwood Cat Clinic

Cat Clinic North
Dr Tammy Sadek, Diplomate, ABVP Feline
Dr Maria Berger
Dr Kathleen Cannady
Dr Joe Simon