Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Inflammatory bowel disease signs and diagnosis in dogs and cats
By Jergens, A E et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1992·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease in dogs and cats: 84 cases (1987-1990).
Plain-English summary
A group of 58 dogs and 26 cats were diagnosed with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which caused symptoms like persistent diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. These pets often didn't respond to dietary changes, and tests showed inflammation in their gastrointestinal tracts. Vets used endoscopy to take biopsies, revealing damage to the stomach, intestines, and colon. Treatment typically involved medications to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms, helping many pets feel better over time.
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Abstract
Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease was the diagnosis for 58 dogs and 26 cats, with signs of persistent gastroenteritis, failed responses to dietary trials, and histologic evidence of cellular infiltrates unrelated to other causes of gastrointestinal tract inflammation. Clinical signs of large intestinal dysfunction, watery diarrhea, vomiting, and anorexia with weight loss were common. Nonspecific hematologic, biochemical, and radiographic abnormalities frequently were observed. Mucosal biopsy specimens, obtained endoscopically, were histologically evaluated for severity of mucosal epithelial damage. Mucosal erythema, friability, enhanced granularity, and ulceration or erosion were the predominant endoscopic lesions. Inflammatory bowel disease lesions of moderate severity predominated in the stomach, duodenum, and colon. Lymphocytic/plasmacytic infiltrates were limited to the lamina propria in biopsy specimens from all regions of the gastrointestinal tract. Inflammatory bowel disease commonly is associated with chronic gastroenteritis in dogs and cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1289345/