IBS and IBD: What You Need to Know

by Mewsette

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are two different things, but they are very closely connected. Of the two diseases, IBS is the less serious and the most easily and successfully treated. IBD usually requires more agressive treatment and lifelong management. Some cats are highly susceptable to either or both of these conditions, so let's discuss what they are.

First, IBS is a form of colitis, which means inflammation of the colon. Colitis affects cats of all ages. It can be caused by parasites or bacteria picked up outside, eating bad food or something you shouldn't eat, food allergies, and even stress. Having IBD can be a cause of colitis, which in turn can cause IBS. The "Syndrome" part means that it's chronic. So we can see that all this unpleasantness is related, and we already know we don't want any part of it!

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are:

* blood or mucus in the stool
* excessive gas
* diarrhea
* frequent defecation (or)
* not being able to defecate.

Usually a cat with this syndrome maintains her weight, appetite, and energy, so it may not appear to be a serious matter. But it can be a sign of more serious problems, such as intestinal infection or even cancer, so you need to to be seen and diagnosed by your vet if you have any of these symptoms. Your vet may recommend simply withholding food for 24 hours, changing to a different diet, medication, or an antibiotic if the cause is bacterial. Good prevention of IBS will include staying indoors and trying to remove causes of stress. Yes, stress can make you sick.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is really a group of diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflamed cells in the stomach, intestines, or both. IBD can appear at any age, too, but it usually affects older cats.

Several causes of IBD are suspected, including sensitivity to food ingredients, such as corn, organisms such as salmonella or Giardia, or hereditary factors. But in many cases the cause is unknown.

Signs of inflammatory bowel disease include:

• intermittent or chronic vomiting or diarrhea
• weight loss
• appetite loss
• loud intestinal sounds and excessive flatulence

You need to see your vet if you have any of these signs. The vet may use fecal tests, blood tests, and X-rays to help rule out other causes, such as an intestinal obstruction by a foreign object. He may do a biopsy of your gastrointestinal tissues surgically, or an endoscopy, which is simpler and less invasive. Both are done under anesthesia.

You can't really prevent inflammatory bowel disease, but you can manage the condition. Your vet may recommend one or more of these treatments:

* Diet changes. A hypoallergenic and easily digestible diet can eliminate symptoms of food sensitivity or intolerance. Adding fiber to the diet can be of benefit.
* Antibiotics for bacterial infections or overgrowth in the intestines.
* Anti-inflammatory drugs such as prednisone, a drug which they say cats tolerate well.
* Immunotherapy. This is usually a last resort, for very severe inflammatory disease.

With proper treatment and management, cats with mild IBD can live long, healthy, and energetic lives. The prognosis for those with severe IBD is guarded, as some cats stop responding to treatment and may become debilitated.

Of course, it is best to guard against IBS and IBD as best we can, with a good diet and a healthy life-style, and that's good advice in guarding against many conditions. Oh yes, and no stress, please.