Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in dogs

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in dogs is a digestive disorder that needs careful diagnosis and management. If your dog has symptoms of IBD, it’s important to get them examined by your vet. They’ll be able to help rule out other digestive problems in dogs and talk you through the best ways to manage the condition.

In this guide, we answer the most frequently asked questions about IBD in dogs.

What is IBD in dogs?

Inflammatory bowel disease in dogs actually refers to a group of conditions that all cause chronic inflammation of the digestive system. 

IBD occurs because of an abnormal reaction from the immune system to (non-infectious) bacteria in the gut or food antigens. It’s diagnosed by the presence of inflammatory cells in the small intestine, large intestine, or both.

Types of IBD in dogs

IBD can be divided into three main types: 

1. Food responsive – affected dogs respond well to dietary management
2. Antibiotic responsive – dogs suffering from dysbiosis (alterations to their gut flora)
3. Idiopathic IBD – dogs that don’t respond to either dietary changes or antibiotics, instead requiring anti-inflammatory treatment
   

Symptoms of IBD in dogs

Symptoms of IBD are chronic, meaning that your dog will have had them for more than three or four weeks. Signs can vary in severity and be intermittent, however.

• Vomiting – a common symptom of IBD
• Diarrhoea – changes to your dog’s poo can vary in severity, and blood may also be seen
• Weight loss – affected animals can suffer from weight loss.
• Flatulence or increased stomach noises – a dog with IBD may have increased gas in their digestive tract
• Changes in appetite – appetite may be reduced or increased in some cases
• Abdominal pain – some dogs may have a painful stomach, especially during a flare-up of their condition
• Abdominal swelling – some dogs can suffer from increased fluid in their abdomen.

These are often severely affected cases that are losing proteins into their abdomen from their inflamed digestive tract (protein-losing enteropathy - PLE). This results in increased fluid accumulation

Diagnosing IBD in dogs

To diagnose IBD, the following tests may be required:

• Blood tests – to rule out other conditions and check your dog's protein levels
• Faecal analysis – to rule out parasites and other infectious causes of diarrhoea
• Diagnostic imaging – X-rays and ultrasound scans can help rule out other diseases. Thickening of the digestive tract may be seen
• Gut biopsies – sometimes recommended, either via an endoscope or surgically.

Often required for cases with severe symptoms or dogs that don't respond to trial treatment 

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IBD in dogs - treatment

In inflammatory bowel disease in dogs, treatment is aimed at managing the symptoms and reducing flare-ups; there is no cure for this condition. This may involve a combination of dietary changes, medications, and other supportive care, such as supplements. 

Diet - In most cases, an exclusion diet is trialled first. Your dog may be given a diet that contains a novel protein source. This is a protein that your dog is unlikely to have eaten previously and is therefore less likely to trigger an allergic reaction. 

Common novel protein sources include salmon, duck, and venison. Alternatively, a hydrolysed diet might be recommended. This is a special food where the proteins have been broken into smaller particles so they’re less likely to cause a reaction.
 
Most diets will need to be trialled for several weeks to test their effectiveness, with no other treats or food allowed. There can be some trial and error; your dog may respond to one recommended diet more favourably than another. 

Other therapies - Probiotics are a common treatment for IBD in dogs. By supporting your dog's gut flora and altering the microbiome, an improvement in IBD symptoms is seen in many dogs. Supplements containing probiotics (live gut bacteria) and prebiotics (food for the bacteria to encourage them to multiply) are often recommended. 

Medications - If a change in food and dietary supplements alone is not helpful, then medication may be recommended. Antibiotics may be required for some cases. Steroids are also often used for IBD in dogs. These act as an anti-inflammatory and suppress the immune system's reaction. These are tapered to the lowest dose that controls your pet’s symptoms, to reduce the risk of any side effects. Sometimes other immunosuppressants may be needed when steroids aren’t effective. Anti-nausea medications and gastroprotectants can also be helpful.

End stages of IBD in dogs

The end stages of IBD in dogs occur when intestinal damage is severe and irreversible. This is most likely to occur in untreated cases and those that are not responsive to diet changes or medication. 

Dogs in end-stage IBD have severe vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as issues with nutrient absorption. These dogs are therefore often underweight and malnourished. They may have an enlarged abdomen, caused by inflammation and fluid accumulation. Dehydration, weakness and organ failure can occur in some cases. End-of-life discussions are often needed in cases like these.

IBD in dogs - life expectancy

Most dogs can have a good quality of life and normal life expectancy if their IBD can be well managed. This will involve continuing with their prescribed diet and any supplements or medications your vet advises. However, there are some cases with severe symptoms or protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) that don't respond well to treatment. If their symptoms are deteriorating or they keep having severe flare-ups, then a discussion may be had about euthanasia. 

Summary

In most cases of IBD in dogs, the condition can be managed through dietary change, supplementing with probiotics, and/or medication. It’s important to get your dog seen by a vet, so they can be assessed and have other disease processes ruled out. Your vet will also be able to advise you on the best dietary changes to make for your pet and help to guide you through the process.

The good news is that most dogs diagnosed with IBD have a normal life expectancy, provided they receive the right care and support. If you have any questions about your dog's health, then make sure to speak to your vet for advice.