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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD / IBS) Comfort Kit

Parasite Cleanser and Diarrhea Relief

USD $137.85
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD / IBS) Comfort Kit USD $137.85 Add to Cart

Vet Talks: Inflammatory Bowel Disease – IBD In Cats

Vet Talks 3 min read
White and brown cat laying on an examination table with a vet using a stethoscope - IBD in cats

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a disorder that affects mostly middle-aged to older cats and it’s caused by an inflammatory reaction to an irritation in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the stomach and intestines.

Difference Between IBD and IBS?

Although diarrhea is a similar symptom in both of them, IBD refers to an inflammation in the gut caused by an autoimmune condition while Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) refers to colitis caused by stress.

In IBS, symptoms tend to fade once you remove the main cause of the stress, whereas IBD treatment requires nutritional therapy and medication.

Symptoms

infographic ibd in cats

This inflammatory process thickens the lining of the tract, which ends up compromising digestion, proper absorption of nutrients, and natural bowel movement. As a result, cats can develop many symptoms such as:

  • Regular vomiting
  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Blood in the stools
  • Lethargy
  • Poor appetite/increased appetite
  • Weight loss

There are different factors that can lead to this condition like imbalance in the immune system, allergies, bacteria, and parasites, however, in many cases, it’s not possible to determine the cause.

Diagnosis

Initial testing for IBD in cats can include blood work, fecal analysis, and imaging of the intestines, especially by ultrasound. These tests intend to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms as those of IBD like food sensitivity, hepatic diseases, kidney issues, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), diabetes, parasitic and bacterial infections, and hyperthyroidism, for example.

The most accurate way to define a diagnosis of IBD is very invasive. It involves surgery or endoscopy in order to get a small sample of tissue from the intestines or stomach.

In many cases, this is not possible, so the veterinarian sometimes opts for treating the symptoms straight away as an IBD case.

orange cat sleeping on orange fleece

Treatment and Natural Support

Modifications to the diet are very common in the treatment of IBD.

Treatment for IBD consists of a combination of medication and nutritional therapy. Modifications to the diet are very common in the treatment of IBD since many times the main cause can be related to food allergies, so hypoallergenic diets and food trials are recommended.

A personalized nutrition plan is an excellent option as well and our in-house veterinarian, Dr. Amanda can create one based on your kitty’s needs.

IBD treatment can also include medications for intestinal parasites, supplementation with B12 vitamins, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories.

That’s why NHV created the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD/IBS) Comfort Kit. It comes with:

  • Inulin-PK supports gastrointestinal tract healing and promotes good intestinal bacteria for regular bowel movements. 
  • Plantaeris helps maintain normal bowel function while reducing discomfort.
  • TumFlora: a powerful yet gentle blend of herbs that can help to support the overall GI tract while improving natural intestinal flora. This product also helps to reduce discomfort.

In some cases, IBD can progress to gastrointestinal lymphoma, so it’s very important to keep this condition under control.

We recommend including ES-Clear in the regimen in some cases when it’s not possible to determine if the cat has IBD or lymphoma. The herbs in ES-Clear help reduce inflammation, promote the purification of the blood, and support the detoxification of vital organs. It also helps to support the immune system and improve the quality of life, vitality, and energy levels.

NHV TumFlora – along with our newest Probiotic + Prebiotic supplement – can help to maintain gut health while improving natural intestinal flora. TumFlora may also help to reduce discomfort!

If you have more questions about how you can support your kitty with IBD, please reach out to Dr. Aline and the other NHV pet experts. We’re always happy to help! 

Dr. Aline Dias DVM

Dr. Aline Dias DVM

Dr. Aline Dias is a veterinary graduate from the Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil. She worked for five years with research in Bacteriology and Virology fields, but she found her true passion in feline medicine. As soon as Dr. Aline immigrated to Canada, she adopted two kittens: Chilli and Keke. Dr. Aline is now a full-time crazy cat lady and when she’s not working at NHV she spends her time spoiling her furbabies or going for walks at the beach.

Published: May 29, 2020

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