After speaking with your veterinarian, hearing that your dog’s ongoing vomiting or diarrhea is caused by IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) can be worrying. You might wonder what it means, what caused it, and how it will affect your dog’s life. The good news is that, with the right care and patience, most dogs with IBD can live long, comfortable lives.  Your veterinarian will be an important partner in managing your dog’s IBD.

What Is IBD in Dogs? 

The abbreviation IBD stands for inflammatory bowel disease. As the name implies, it’s a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

IBD isn’t one single disease — it’s a syndrome, meaning it can have several underlying causes.  This allergic-type response creates inflammation within any part of the gastrointestinal tract, but most commonly in the stomach and/or the intestines. Digestion and nutrient absorption may be impaired due to the inflammation and can cause discomfort for your dog.

Are Some Dogs More Likely to Have IBD?

IBD can affect any dog, but certain breeds are prone to the condition, like:¹

• Basenji
• Border Collie
• Boxer
• German Shepherd
• Irish Setter
• Norwegian Lundehund
• Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
• Rottweiler
• Weimaraner
• Yorkshire Terrier 

Learn more about these breeds with our Breed Explorer.

What Causes IBD In Dogs?

In many cases, the underlying cause of IBD cannot be identified because it’s often triggered by many factors.

Some possible causes may include:

• Protein and other food sensitivities^2,3
• Parasitic infection that alters bacteria in the gut^4,5
• Bacterial infection⁵
• Adverse reaction to medications, such as antibiotics, steroids, or immunosuppressive therapies^6,7
• Environmental factors
• Genetics⁸

Signs Your Dog May Have IBD

The signs you notice will be based on the area of your dog’s gastrointestinal tract affected by the condition.

Persistent vomiting typically happens if the stomach is involved. If the intestines are involved, your dog may have persistent diarrhea. When both areas are impacted by IBD, dogs  may have persistent vomiting and diarrhea.

In some cases, you may also see signs of allergic skin disease, such as persistent ear and skin infections, hair loss, itchiness, and excessive licking or chewing.

If the condition continues for an extended period, even as little as a few months, dogs can develop a poor appetite and suffer weight loss. On the other hand, some dogs will develop an strong appetite due to the inability to properly digest food and absorb nutrients.

How Is IBD in Dogs Diagnosed?

Your veterinarian may suspect IBD if your dog has persistent gastrointestinal signs for more than three weeks. They’ll recommend a complete physical examination and diagnostic tests to help eliminate any other possible causes.

Diagnostic tests your veterinarian may recommend include:

• Complete blood count
• Blood chemistry
• Urinalysis
• Fecal analysis
• Abdominal radiographs
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Endoscopy
• Specialized laboratory tests

A tissue biopsy of the stomach and/or intestines is needed to make a definitive diagnosis of IBD. The biopsy aims to examine the tissue for the presence of inflammatory cells. This may be done by an endoscopic examination or full abdominal exploratory surgery. Both methods require your dog to be under general anesthesia. 

Treating Dogs with IBD

IBD does not have a cure, but it can be managed. Management often requires trial and error to find the treatment plan most effective for your dog.

Identifying and managing the underlying cause is ideal. Since the exact cause often can’t be identified, a combination of therapies may be used.

Food Trial

Initially, mild to moderate cases are treated using dietary modifications and other medications that your veterinarian recommends that fit your dog’s specific case. Dogs are placed on a food trial to determine if a food allergy or intolerance is part of the cause of IBD. 

The trial lasts for about 8 to twelve weeks and consists of feeding a strict diet containing a novel or hydrolyzed protein. A novel protein is one that your dog has never been exposed to. A hydrolyzed protein means the protein is broken down into such small pieces that dogs don’t react. Their body doesn’t recognize the tiny pieces as a protein. Seeing a change takes one to two weeks, though some dogs may take longer. 

A switch to a high-fiber or low-fat diet may be recommended if your dog doesn’t improve from the food trial. Your veterinarian will be the best guide for which diets to select. 

Medication

For dogs who don’t respond to dietary change and initial medications, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs may be necessary. These medications suppress the immune system. The inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract is decreased, helping it return to normal function.

Broad-spectrum deworming is prescribed to eliminate any parasites in the GI tract, even if the fecal test was negative, since it’s possible the test missed some parasites.

Vitamins and Supplements

Vitamin B12 is often given since dogs with IBD cannot absorb it from their diet.

Probiotics are also thought to help with IBD.

Treatment is generally life-long and may need to be adjusted regularly. Once your dog is on a treatment plan that helps, most will have a good prognosis and will do well for years with consistent monitoring with your veterinarian.

Living Well with IBD

While hearing that your dog has IBD can feel overwhelming, remember that it’s a manageable condition. With consistent veterinary care, a proper diet, and regular monitoring, your dog can thrive for many years. The key is patience, teamwork with your vet, and keeping an eye on your dog’s symptoms.