Causes of IBD in Cats
Though some infectious agents such as Giardia, Salmonella, or an overgrowth of normal bacteria of the gut are suspected to cause inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in cats, others believe dietary sensitivity is the primary inciting factor. It is likely that this is a condition with multi-factorial causes. In cats, the condition may be associated with pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis) and liver inflammation (cholangiohepatitis) in a syndrome termed triad disease.
Diagnosing IBD in Cats
Diagnosis of this condition requires that many other causes of digestive disease be ruled out. In cats, cancers of the intestine such as lymphosarcoma can lead to general thickening of the gut and maldigestion. Hormone imbalances such as hyperthyroidism can lead to many similar clinical signs. Viral infections, parasites and food allergies need to be ruled out also.
Testing will include complete blood count (CBC), urinalysis, stool sample, blood chemistry profile, viral screen (*FIP, FeLV), and thyroid hormone levels. Imaging (ultrasound, X-ray) may be done to help rule out other conditions, but many of these tests will be normal in IBD cats. The diagnosis may only be confirmed by performing an endoscope biopsy or surgical biopsy. The tissue is sent to the laboratory where the section is examined under a microscope. This allows the pathologist to identify the hallmarks of exuberant inflammation seen in IBD. Based on the major inflammatory cell type, IBD may for example, be classed as eosinophilic or lymphocytic-plasmacytic.