Inflammatory Bowel Disease (ibd) in Dogs – Diagnosis and Therapy

Introduction Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not a specific diagnosis, rather it is a histological description of a syndrome resulting from a host hypersensitivity response to antigenic stimuli. In IBD there is an increase in the inflammatory cell population in the intestinal mucosa. The predominant inflammatory component can be lymphocytic-plasmacytic (most common type), eosinophilic, neutrophilic, or granulomatous. Primary causes of intestinal inflammation that should be considered include parasites, bacteria (specific agents or bacterial overgrowth), fungal disorders (e.g., Histoplasma, pythiosis), immune-mediated diseases, and food sensitivities. Many cases of IBD are likely idiopathic in nature. A presumptive diagnosis of IBD is made on the basis of history, physical exam and elimination of other disorders by laboratory tests and other studies such as radiography and ultrasonography. A definitive diagnosis can be made only by intestinal biopsy.