Inflammatory Bowel Disease Dogs:

Inflammatory bowel disease afflicts not just humans, but dogs too, and is a condition of the stomach and the colon. This is an auto-immune disease in which the immune system of the body accidently invades its own tissues, considering them to be antigens.

In the event of the immune system’s invasion of the digestive system, the dog may experience inflammation in the stomach and the large intestine. White blood cells infiltrate the stomach and the colon, and then, these cells begin to destroy the bacteria present in them. This is what causes the internal inflammation. These organs may sustain considerable amount of damage as a result of this inflammation. While it is still unclear as to how this gastrointestinal disorder occurs, there are certain conditions that increase the risk of developing it, such as poor diet, allergies from food, parasitic infestations and reactions from drugs. Inflammatory bowel disease begins to affect dogs from their middle age onwards, so you should always keep an eye out for any of the symptoms listed below.

IBD Symptoms in Dogs:

The symptoms of this disease may vary according to the extent of damage sustained by the digestive organs. Vomiting is an initial symptom. The dog may suffer from diarrhea if the colon is affected. In severe cases, the dog may have both diarrhea and vomiting, which worsens the condition. Apart from that, the dog may suffer from, difficulty in bowel movement, mucus in the stool, abrupt weight loss, lack of energy and willingness to participate in play activities, and general depression. If the inflammation is severe, the abdomen may get swollen.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diagnosis:

The veterinarian will first examine your dog physically to search for any signs of inflammation in the abdominal region. Next, he may order a biopsy to confirm inflammation in the bowels. A stool test may be prescribed to check for any parasitic infestations in the body. Lastly, the doctor will usually look for intestinal worms or eggs. Blood tests may also help the doctor diagnose your dog’s condition. The doctor will look at the number of white blood cells to confirm inflammatory bowel disease.

IBD Treatment in Dogs:

Medication is necessary for treating canine inflammatory bowel disease. Usually, corticosteroids or some medication is given to alleviate the symptoms. If the dog has been suffering from diarrhea or vomiting, medication to control them might be given. The dog’s food may have to be changed temporarily, and it is advisable to keep the dog on a very light diet for some time.