Inflammatory bowel disease: overview

Introduction

• Most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea.
• Cause : any idiopathic inflammatory condition of the small or large intestine:
  • Lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis .
  • Eosinophilic enteritis .
  • Granulomatous enterocolitis.
• Signs : chronic gastroenteritis (diarrhea and vomiting), weight loss.
• Characterized by infiltration of gastrointestinal tract with inflammatory cells including:
  • Lymphocytes.
  • Plasma cells.
  • Eosinophils.
  • Neutrophils.
• Diagnosis : idiopathic nature makes it a diagnosis of exclusion.
• Treatment : dietary change, immunosuppressive therapy (prednisolone/azathioprine).
• Prognosis : good with appropriate treatment.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

• Rudorf H, van Schaik G, O'Brien R T, Brown P J, Barr F J & Hall E J (2005) Ultrasonographic evaluation of the thickness of the small intestinal wall in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease. JSAP 46 , 322-326.
• Sturgess K (2005) Diagnosis and management of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease in dogs and cats. In Practice 27 , 293-301.
• Craven M, Simpson J W, Ridyard A E & Chandler M L (2004) Canine inflammatory bowel disease: retrospective analysis of diagnosis and outcome in 80 cases (1995-2002). JSAP 45 (7), 336-342 PubMed.
• Jergens A E, Moore F M & Haynes J S (1992) Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease in dogs and cats; 84 cases (1987-1990). JAVMA 201 , 1603-1608.
• Jergens A E, Moore F M, March P & Miles K G (1990) Gastrointestinal ulceration associated with inflammmatory bowel disease in the dog. JVIM 4 , 121.
• Marks S L (1998) Management of canine inflammatory bowel disease. Comp Cont Ed Pract Vet 20 , 317-332.
• Dimolis D S Therapy for inflammatory bowel disease. In: Current Veterinary Therapy. W B Saunders, Philadelphia. pp 723-728.
• Batt R M & Hall E J (1989) Chronic enteropathies in the dog. JSAP 30 , 3-12.