{"id":549,"date":"2024-04-06T23:18:55","date_gmt":"2024-04-06T23:18:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petspanet.com\/what-you-need-to-know\/veterinary\/"},"modified":"2024-04-06T23:18:56","modified_gmt":"2024-04-06T23:18:56","slug":"what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petspanet.com\/what-you-need-to-know\/veterinary\/","title":{"rendered":"What You Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Discover all you need to know about IBD in cats. Uncover the mysteries behind this condition affecting feline gastrointestinal health. Learn about symptoms, causes, and management strategies.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD in cats for short, is a complex condition that baffles pet owners and veterinarians. <\/p>\n

This intriguing condition involves the GI or gastrointestinal tract and presents as chronic inflammation that disrupts the standard processing and absorption of vital nutrients.\u00a0<\/p>\n

How Does IBD Affect Cats?<\/h3>\n

In general, inflammatory bowel disease in cats is a condition in which the lining of the gastrointestinal tract becomes chronically inflamed. This interferes with the cat\u2019s ability to digest food properly and absorb nutrients, causing discomfort and many health issues.<\/p>\n

What Causes IBD in Cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Although the exact cause is yet to be determined, veterinarians believe many factors contribute to developing inflammatory bowel disease in cats. <\/p>\n

This situation makes it challenging for pet owners and their vets to distinguish the culprit(s) for the cat\u2019s pain and discomfort.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Some of the predispositions for IBD are the following:<\/p>\n

Age<\/h3>\n

Middle-aged and older cats are statistically more commonly affected. This shows that their immune systems change as cats age, and the wear-and-tear of the gastrointestinal lining is crucial [1<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Genetics<\/h3>\n

There is no evidence for breed predispositions to IBD, but some statistics show that Siamese cats and other Asian cat breeds are more affected than others. Veterinarians believe that a hereditary marker influences the cat\u2019s likelihood of IBD [2<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Diet and Allergies<\/h3>\n

Certain protein intolerances very often trigger an inflammatory response characteristic of IBD. Some cats develop sensitivity to beef protein, some to dairy, and even fish, leading to chronic GI tract inflammation when these proteins are part of their diet.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Infections<\/h3>\n

Parasitic and bacterial infections can be crucial in developing IBD in felines. Chronic infections with single-celled parasites, such as Giardia <\/a>duodenalis<\/em> or other intestinal worms, can cause severe inflammation and irritation to the intestinal walls. <\/p>\n

The same applies to chronic infections with gastrointestinal bacteria.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Clinical Signs and Symptoms of IBD in Cats<\/span><\/h2>\n

IBD, or inflammatory bowel disease in felines, is a complex condition that can drastically impact the quality of life in cats. <\/p>\n

The various symptoms of this condition are all over the clinical map, but we can divide them into systemic and gastrointestinal symptoms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Understanding how this disease manifests is crucial for early detection and successful management of the symptoms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gastrointestinal Symptoms<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Condition<\/th>\nDescription<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Chronic Vomiting<\/strong><\/td>\nVomiting in IBD cats is often intermittent but becomes more frequent with time as the condition becomes more severe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chronic Diarrhea<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nLike the vomiting, it starts intermittently but worsens if left untreated<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Appetite Changes<\/strong><\/td>\nCats with IBD can have periods of inappetence or periods of overeating. In severe IBD cases, PICA<\/a> disorder can be seen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cachexia<\/strong><\/td>\nSymptoms of IBD in cats can progress to cachexia, or decreasing weight, muscle tone, and fat despite normal or increased appetite<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hairballs<\/strong><\/td>\nVery often, an increase in hairballs<\/a> is evident due to excessive grooming caused by gastrointestinal discomfort<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Flatulence<\/strong><\/td>\nCats with inflammatory bowel disease suffer from increased gas buildup, often with a foul odor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stomach Upset<\/strong><\/td>\nLoud gurgling or rumbling sounds from the abdomen are often a familiar background noise for cats with inflammatory bowel disease<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bright, Bloody Feces<\/strong><\/td>\nThe occurrence of blood is less common in felines with IBD but indicates severe inflammation or other complications<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

Systemic Symptoms<\/h3>\n