What is Stomach and Intestinal Inflammation?
Inflammatory bowel disease occurs when inflammatory cells, usually lymphocytes and plasmacytes in cats, infiltrate the wall of the stomach and/or intestines. These cells cause chronic inflammation within the digestive system, which results in difficulties digesting food, absorbing nutrients, and passing waste. It is important to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian if you see signs of IBD, as your cat is likely in great discomfort and possibly lacking in important nutrients.
Stomach and intestinal inflammation, also referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is a designation given to a number of gastrointestinal disorders that can occur in cats as well as human beings and other animals. The name of the condition is actually a misnomer as IBD is not a disease but rather a syndrome that is often a symptom of another underlying condition, which may or may not be diagnosable. Common conditions that cause IBD are food allergies, intestinal parasites, and bacterial infections. If the underlying condition is known, that condition will need to be treated while the IBD is treated as well.
Stomach and Intestinal Inflammation Average Cost
From 215 quotes ranging from $200 - $500
Average Cost
$300
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
Symptoms of Stomach and Intestinal Inflammation in Cats
Understandably, the most common symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease are connected to patterns in eating and passing solid waste. If you observe any of these symptoms it is wise to call your veterinarian as these symptoms are not only indicative of IBD, but can also be signs of many other feline health conditions such as intestinal parasites and even cancer.
- Vomiting, sometimes after every meal
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Straining to pass solid waste
- Blood in stool
- Mucous in feces
- Flatulence
- Lethargy
- Extreme hunger
- Anorexia
Causes of Stomach and Intestinal Inflammation in Cats
The most common causes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease are inflammatory red blood cells called lymphocytes and antibodies called plasmacytes that are deployed by the body to the stomach and intestines to fight an infection. Other inflammatory cells that are sometimes present in the digestive system of a cat that is suffering from IBD are eosinophils and neutrophils. Additional factors may include one or more of the following:
- Food allergy
- Parasites
- Cancer
- Mental distress caused by a dangerous or stressful environment or traumatic experience
- Bacterial infection
- Age may be a contributing factor, as cats older than 5 years old tend to be more susceptible to IBD than younger cats.
Diagnosis of Stomach and Intestinal Inflammation in Cats
Diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease can be quite difficult as it involves diagnosing both the IBD and the underlying condition that has caused the IBD. This is complicated by the fact that the most commonly presented symptoms—diarrhea and vomiting—are common symptoms of dozens of diseases that commonly occur in cats. In order to determine if your cat is suffering from IBD and, if so, what kind of IBD is present your veterinarian will likely utilize some of the following diagnostic tools:
- Blood test
- Fecal sample
- Abdominal x-rays
- Abdominal sonogram, also called ultrasound
- Tests for food allergies
- Biopsy of tissue of the stomach or intestines, which is the most definitive way to diagnose IBD
- Endoscopy
- Exploratory surgery
Treatment of Stomach and Intestinal Inflammation in Cats
The most effective way of treating stomach and intestinal inflammation is to treat the underlying condition that is causing the IBD. If that cause cannot be determined and, often while a diagnosed underlying condition is being treated, your veterinarian will likely prescribe one or more of the following treatments for IBD:
- Change in diet, which often requires trial-and-error attempts at introducing different foods that may not contain whatever ingredient your cat may be allergic to in its normal food.
- Corticosteroids, which are powerful anti-inflammatories.
- Antibiotics if it is determined or suspected that the IBD is the result of bacterial infection
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Recovery of Stomach and Intestinal Inflammation in Cats
Recovery is generally dependent on two factors—whether the underlying causes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease can be determined and subsequently treated and whether your cat responds positively to the treatments for inflammation such as a change in diet, corticosteroids, and antibiotics. Even if a cat can be treated effectively, there may be times throughout the cat’s life when they have flare-ups of IBD for no apparent reason. In this case you should contact your veterinarian for guidance as to whether or not you should be concerned. Many cats with IBD go on to live long normal lives, albeit on an altered diet and possibly on medication during occasional episodes.
Stomach and Intestinal Inflammation Average Cost
From 215 quotes ranging from $200 - $500
Average Cost
$300
Top
Stomach and Intestinal Inflammation Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Ragdoll
Loverboy
7 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargic
Not Eating Or Drink
High Fever For 6 Days 105
after doing blood work and x rays the vet said my male cat has inflammed bowels. he gave him an anti inflamatory to bring fever down but didn't work; gave him small amount of steroids.,fever is down but still not eating and drinking but little,what can I do?
Aug. 24, 2018
0 Recommendations
Further to your earlier question and a different page: without knowing what is causing the symptoms it is difficult to say what would be best to give since we don’t know specifically what is causing the symptoms. Feeding a bland diet, keeping hydration along with other supportive and symptomatic care; you should call your Veterinarian for a discussion based on treatment already received. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 24, 2018
Just what more can we do to find the underlying cause? he said we could do more blood work. Vet also intimated from his research, that this could be precancerous. But didn't give me any further instructions, except to try and get him to eat and keep drinking. :-(
Aug. 24, 2018
Loverboy's Owner
Was this question and answer helpful?
domestic short hair
Mama Mia
14 Years
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Not Eating, Occassional Diarrhea
Mama Mia is a 14 Yr DSH. She was my mother's cat, now my father's cat. My mom died June 2017. After she died, Mama had some periods of not eating. She would be off feed and looking poorly for a few weeks, then have a few days of being better. The Vet. first treated her for a bacterial infection; she improved for awhile. Then another Vet (practice was sold), did xrays and blood test, which all turned out normal, suggested an intestinal diet, and told us she was old and maybe should be put down. We asked about more tx for the bacterial infection, but she refused. Mama went for awile with the ups and downs, then she looked really bad. This time we called a house-call Vet, thinking we needed to put her down. That Vet said she didn't look that bad, and gave use a steroid for inflamed bowels. She is on this every other day, but now is not eating again. She picks at treats, won't eat her wet food at all, and sniffs the dry food. She will not eat the intestinal diet food...never would. My elderly father can't afford the meds, and can't medicate her--so I do. My question is whether to keep trying to help her, and if there is anything different we could do. If she is always going to be miserable, I don't want her to suffer, but if she can have a good life it is worth the effort. We can't afford exploratory.
I read something about Cobalamin deficiency, is that possible in this scenario? Do you know of a good food to try?
Aug. 22, 2018
6 Recommendations
Cobalamin (B12) deficiency is associated with gastrointestinal diseases but without testing for it we cannot confirm; as for getting a good diet for her it is important to find a diet which she would accept which may result in needing to try various different foods to find something appealing, also check the mouth to ensure that there are no dental issues or oral injuries making eating painful. As for quality of life, this is something you need to sit down with your father and discuss. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 23, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
short hair
Star
14 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Decreased Appetite
Hello, my 14 yr old neutered male cat has been diagnosed by ultrasound with triaditis. He has been on baytril, prednisolone, ursodiol (high liver panel) and 1/4 tablet daily of cerenia. He is doing pretty well, and eating ok now. I would like to take him off some medication (not the steroid, I know it needs to be taken off gradually). How can I know if the antibiotics have done enough for his (assumed) bacterial infection, and if I need to continue with his meds. He is very very difficult to medicate.
March 11, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Traiditis can be a very difficult condition to manage, and if Star seeems to be responding, it would be best to continue with the medications as directed. If you are having trouble medicating him, and I understand that cats can be VERY difficult to medicate, your veteirnarian may be able to help, with compounded formulations or liquids that may be easier to manage. I hope that he continues to do well.
March 11, 2018
My kitty is lethargic and occasionally vomits. The vet says she is suffering from an inflamed bowel. I feed her organic turkey, and sometimes she slips into the basement (she's an indoor cat). Right now, she's improving on antibiotics, but is it possible she's having an adverse reaction to her food, or that she may have eaten a bug in the basement that's caused her to become so ill?
June 26, 2018
Elf A.
Was this question and answer helpful?
tabby
Rex
10 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Losing Weight
I have a 10 year old tabby cat. His intestines were inflamed took him to thw vet gave him meds he seemed better but now he is losing weight and I have him on Hills perscription diet he eats a half a can a day. What else can I do?
Stomach and Intestinal Inflammation Average Cost
From 215 quotes ranging from $200 - $500
Average Cost
$300
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
