Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Cats

Overview and Facts

What is

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a relatively common disorder in cats. This is actually a group of conditions that are characterized by thickening of the large and/or small intestines.

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Causes

• Causes of IBD in Cats
Though some infectious agents are suspected to cause inflammatory bowel disease in cats, others believe dietary sensitivity is the primary inciting factor.

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Symptoms and Types

Symptoms

• Symptoms of IBD in Cats
The most common symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease include gastrointestinal upset and severe pain. These symptoms may be mild at first and then increase over time.  Younger cats may experience inflammatory bowel disease, but in the majority of cases middle aged to older cats are affected more severely by the disease.


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Diagnosis and Tests

Diagnosis

• Diagnosing IBD in Cats
The only test that can be used to accurately diagnose inflammatory bowel disease in cats is an intestinal biopsy. Additional tests may be used to exclude any other causes of the symptoms.


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Treatment and Care

Treatment

• Treating IBD in Cats
Treatment may consist of hypoallergenic diet and prophylactic deworming initially. Some cases do respond to this basic approach, while most require medications such as anti-inflammatory or immune-modulating drugs.

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