What is ibd in cats

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Protein or carbohydrate sources the cat has never eaten before, including venison, rabbit or duck-based diets may be recommended initially. If your cat's symptoms don't improve with these options, a low fat, high fiber and easily digestible food may be chosen for your furry companion. It is important to remember that you should be patient when it comes to effectiveness of dietary changes. It can take a few weeks or even longer to start to improve symptoms.

For the diet to be successful, all other food sources, including treats, flavored medications and table scraps should be eliminated. Along with dietary changes, medications may be needed to calm symptoms, Metronidazole has antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and antiprotozoal properties may help. Corticosteroids, potent anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressing agents, may be recommended if diet changes or metronidazole prove ineffective.

Though corticosteroids are usually well-tolerated, watch them closely as immune suppression and diabetes may be potential side effects. The next options include more potent immunosuppressive drugs such as chlorambucil or azathioprine, which can suppress production of red and white blood cells and less commonly, platelets inside the bone marrow.

Prebiotics substances that promote certain bacterial populations and probiotics bacterial strains to promote GI health may help balance GI bacteria that can potentially factor into the development of IBD.

Folate or vitamin B12 can help if your kitty is deficient in these. Unfortunately, there is no cure for inflammatory bowel disease in cats, but symptoms can often be controlled in order to keep your cat comfortable and healthy.

Nonetheless, our Huntersville vets do commonly see a number of other urinary tract conditions in cats. Today we explain explain symptoms and treatments for urinary tract infections and other urinary conditions seen in cats.

Hepatitis is a liver disorder that can lead to some very serious symptoms and health complications for your cat. Here, our Huntersville vets explain the two types of hepatitis seen in cats, their causes, symptoms, and treatments.

Did you know that acupuncture therapy is available for pets? If your animal suffers from chronic pain, arthritis, gastrointestinal issues, and more, acupuncture may be able to help your pet feel better. Here's a little about how it works. These can include: Urinalysis Complete blood count Fecal Exam Biochemistry profile X-rays Although these tests cannot definitively diagnose IBD, they are useful in ruling out other diseases including elevated thyroid, liver disease and kidney disease , whose symptoms can mimic IBD.

Abdominal Ultrasound An abdominal ultrasound can help your vet to rule out other diseases not revealed with blood work these can include cancer or pancreatitis. Stomach Biopsy The only way to definitively diagnose IBD in cats and determine the extent of the disease is to take a biopsy. Treatment for IBD in Cats If your cat has not recently been treated for intestinal parasites, your vet may recommend this along with changes in diet and introduction of medications.

Diet If your cat has an issue with dietary allergens, a hypoallergenic diet may help to resolve your cat's IBD symptoms. Medications Along with dietary changes, medications may be required to help calm symptoms, Metronidazole has antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and antiprotozoal properties which may help. Do you think that your cat may be suffering from IBD? Contact our Huntersville, Mecklenburg County vets today to book an examination for your kitty. Our vets are here to help your feline companion feel better.

Nonetheless, cats tend to tolerate these drugs well as long as they receive them at an appropriate dose. Cats usually take corticosteroids orally, starting with a higher dose that is gradually reduced over several weeks. If none of these medications successfully controls the symptoms of IBD, more potent immunosuppressive drugs, such as chlorambucil or azathioprine, may be necessary.

These drugs can suppress production of white blood cells, red blood cells, and, less commonly, platelets, in the bone marrow. A veterinarian must carefully monitor cats taking these drugs. As GI bacteria may play a role in the development of IBD, newer therapies include prebiotics, which are substances that promote certain bacterial populations, and probiotics, which are bacterial strains that promote GI health. The addition of soluble fiber, such as psyllium, to the diets of cats with inflammatory colitis may be helpful, and supplementation with folate or vitamin B12 should be provided if an affected cat is deficient in these B vitamins.

Prognosis IBD can often be controlled so that affected cats are healthy and comfortable. However, even with proper management, symptoms may come and go. Keeping the disease in check requires strict compliance with dietary and medical therapies. Vigilant monitoring by the veterinarian and owner is also critical, so that relapses can be assessed and the dosing of long-term medications can be adjusted. Updated April Figure 1: Microscopic image magnified 10 times of a biopsy taken from the intestinal wall of a normal cat.

Figure 2: Microscopic image magnified 10 times of a biopsy taken from the intestinal wall of a cat with IBD.