Crohn's Disease in Cats

Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. It may also go by the names of infiltrative bowel disease or by various subtypes of IBD such as lymphocytic-plasmacytic IBD or eosinophilic IBD. The cause of IBD is currently unknown but may be due to types of foods, genetic defects or infections.

  1. Identification

    • According to the online pet information index, Pet Education, there are several subtypes of IBD affecting cats---all of which are categorized by the type of cells affecting the intestines. In cats, a rare type of IBD known as regional granulomatous IBD, is similar to that of Crohn's disease in humans.

    Symptoms

    • In cats, symptoms of IBD include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, weight loss, fever and blood present in the stool.

    Diagnosis

    • The College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University notes that cats who are potentially affected by IBD will undergo a physical exam, x-rays and various blood tests to rule out other potential causes of vomiting and diarrhea. To confirm a specific type of IBD, a biopsy of the affected tissue will be analyzed to determine what type of cells are infiltrating the intestines.

    Treatment

    • Currently, there is no cure for feline inflammatory bowel disease. However, treatment may be required for the life of the cat and includes various medications, changes in diet and supplemental fatty acids.

    Prognosis

    • Apart from being a nuisance for owners, feline IBD is not considered a serious illness. Affected cats can continue to live a happy, healthy and long life.