IBD Symptoms in Cats

IBD, or Inflammatory Bowel Disease, is a term used to describe several disorders involving inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Cats with IBD typically suffer from chronic vomiting and diarrhea, although other symptoms such as blood in the stools are also indicative of IBD. Although the condition is chronic, it is treatable through diet and prescribed drugs.

  1. What Is IBD?

    • IBD, or Inflammatory Bowel Disease, is the name given to a group of disorders all involving inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The disease is chronic and can affect different parts of the cat's digestive system, including the stomach, small intestine and colon.

    Cause

    • The cause of IBD is still unknown. Scientists have suggested bacteria are to blame for the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the gastrointestinal tract, but evidence is still inconclusive. Various possible causes have been suggested, such as dietary allergies, parasites, genetics and abnormal immune system function.

    Symptoms

    • The two primary symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in cats are vomiting and diarrhea. IBD is actually the most common cause of chronic vomiting and diarrhea in cats. The vomit of cats with IBD usually does not have food in it. Instead, the vomit is bile-stained mucus.

      Cats with IBD may also exhibit weight loss, a change in appetite, stomach rumbling and belching. The stools of a cat with IBD are often black and tarry, and the cat will experience increased flatulence, both caused by digesting blood. Blood is even sometimes found in the stools of cats with IBD. The cat may also defecate more frequently, but there will be less stool in each defecation than normal. It is also fairly common for cats with IBD to defecate outside their litter boxes.

      Other IBD symptoms include increased thirst, halitosis and stomach pain.

    Diagnosis

    • If IBD is suspected, take the cat to a veterinarian for a thorough examination. The vet will physically examine the cat and rule out any other conditions through blood tests, fecal examination and urinalysis. The only definitive way to diagnose IBD is to do a biopsy of the intestinal tract.

    Treatment

    • Once IBD has been confirmed, the vet will categorize the condition as mild, moderate or severe. Cats with IBD are typically put on special diets to minimize bowel irritation. Corticosteroids and antibiotics are also frequently used in treatments. Depending on which part of the cat's gastrointestinal tract is the most affected by the disorder, additional treatments may be prescribed.