IBD
(INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE)
INFLAMMATORY
BOWEL DISEASE IBD
Why are so
many dogs and cats getting IBD and what’s
the best way to treat it?
by
Autumn Drouin, DVM
 Sinba,
a stunning Bengal cat, came to his guardians
at the age of eight weeks with diarrhea
and a bottle of Pepto Bismal. Seven years
later, he was still afflicted with daily
diarrhea and his health was deteriorating
in spite of numerous diagnostic tests
and professional treatments. He was also
wild, aloof, skittish, ravenously hungry,
and at times aggressive. Inflammatory
Bowel Disease (IBD) was suspected, but
remained unconfirmed because Sinba’s
guardians refused to subject him to the
risks and discomfort of intestinal biopsy.
Finally, he was put on homotoxic remedies
and a home prepared diet. All food allergens
were eliminated based on sensitivity testing
using MRT (muscle response technique).
Within two months of starting this holistic
treatment, Sinba was free of diarrhea.
Now, ten months later, he is symptom free,
playful, more relaxed and affectionate,
and no longer so famished.
What
is IBD?
Inflammatory bowel disease involves a
thickening of the bowel lining, abnormal
movement of food through the gut, and
impaired water and/or nutrient absorption.
Microscopically, the number of inflammatory
cells in the gut lining is increased.
The disease is named after the predominant
cell type; the most common is lymphocytic-plasmacytic
IBD. The main symptoms, which include
vomiting, diarrhea, excessive gas, abdominal
pain, weight loss, and blood and/or mucus
in the stools, can be chronic, constant
or intermittent, and relate to the affected
gut segment.
What
causes it?
There is no single recognized cause of
IBD. Contributing factors include genetics,
immunity problems, chronic stress, dietary
deficiencies, exposure to pollutants and
chemicals (pesticides, food additives,
drugs, vaccines), altered gut pH, chronic
gut irritation caused by diet, food allergies
and infectious agents, and leaky gut (a
condition in which large molecules pass
through the intestinal lining, activating
the immune system and producing inflammation).
Which
animals are affected?
IBD affects middle-aged to older cats
with no breed disposition. In dogs, it
is seen in young to middle-aged individuals
of any breed, although German shepherds,
boxers, French bulldogs, rottweilers,
shar peis, and Yorkshire terriers have
a higher incidence of the disease.
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Published
in the August/September 2005 issue of
Animal Wellness
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