Edited by: Ingrid King. Last updated: February 2, 2023 by Crystal Uys
Far too many cat parents justify occasional or even chronic vomiting with explanations such as “he eats too fast”, “he has a sensitive stomach” or “he’s just a ball of fur”. Chronic vomiting is never normal and can be an indicator of serious small bowel disease, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and bowel lymphoma.
What causes IBD?
Chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract can be the result of a specific disease, such as a parasitic or bacterial infection. It can also be caused by a food intolerance or food allergy. However, in many cases, it is impossible to determine the cause of IBD. According to the Cornell Health Center, “Current evidence suggests that it results from a complex abnormal interaction between the immune system, diet, bacterial populations in the gut, and other environmental factors.”
IBD symptoms
Symptoms most often include chronic vomiting and diarrhea, but sometimes constipation can also be a problem. Some cats show weight loss as the only clinical sign.
Diagnosis of IBD
To rule out other causes of gastrointestinal issues, your veterinarian will perform diagnostic tests which may include a complete blood cell count, blood chemistry, thyroid function tests, urinalysis, fecal analysis , abdominal x-rays and ultrasound. The only definitive way to diagnose IBD is to take biopsies of small samples of the intestinal lining. Many veterinarians will use endoscopy to obtain these biopsies. Unfortunately, although less invasive than surgical biopsy, endoscopy will not always reach abnormal sections of intestine.
Treatment of IBD
Treatment for IBD may include changing diet, adding supplements, acupuncture, herbal therapies, fecal transplants, and drug therapy. In a recent article in Animal Wellness Magazine, Angie Krause, DVM, veterinarian and owner of Boulder Holistic Vet, provided a comprehensive overview of dietary and natural therapies for treating IBD.
Click here to read IBD in Cats: An Integrative Approach to Treatment.
Photo credit: Tomas Andreopoulos, Pexels
Ingrid King is an award-winning author, former veterinary hospital director, and veterinary journalist with a passion for cats.