Get Advice from a Vet

ASK A VET
Veterinarian, DVM, MBA
Get free advice on diet, health, fitness, and wellness questions within 3 business days via email.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment for Dogs and Cats

Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Back to results
Enter Your Information All fields are required

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

*Please note: Questions submitted and the answers will appear on our website as a benefit to all pet owners. Please make sure not to include any personal information in the box where you enter your question.

Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Thank you! Your question has been submitted.

You will receive an answer from Dr. Lindsay and our vet/tech team as soon as possible, usually the same day.

All answers are provided for informational or educational purposes only, and are intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your pet's veterinarian.

It may be necessary to consult your pet's veterinarian regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your pet's symptoms or medical condition.

Close
Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Oops! Your question has not been submitted.

An error has occurred, please reload the page and try again.

Close
Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Got questions? Ask Dr. Lindsay & our Vet Team:

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

Do these answer your question?
Showing of | See All
Have another question, or can’t find your answer?
Submit your question
We're Sorry!

There is no answer related to your question

Can’t find your answer?
Submit your question
Category
Back

Treating inflammatory bowel disease in dogs and cats
The treatment options for pets with suspected inflammatory bowel disease will vary depending upon whether vomiting or diarrhea is present. Many veterinarians will worm pets prophylactally with broad spectrum wormers such as Panacur C in order to treat potential hidden parasites such as whipworms in dogs, and Giardia in both dogs and cats. Antibiotic trials with drugs like Metronidazole and Tylosin are also commonly tried for 2-3 weeks to see if there is any improvement in clinical signs. The gold standard of treatment for pets with a definitive diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease is oral Prednisone or Prednisolone. Pets are typically treated in a gradually reducing dose over a period of months. Some pets can be slowly tapered off medication, while others need an every other day low dose in order to control clinical symptoms. Occasionally more potent immune suppressive drugs such as Aziothioprine, Cyclosporine Modified or Chlorambucil are needed.

Recommended pet medications for treating inflammatory bowel disease

Does dietary therapy play a role in inflammatory bowel disease?
Dietary trials with novel protein sources such as rabbit, venison, duck and buffalo are often tried during the beginning of treatment, as many pets have been found to have a dietary component to their symptoms. Some pets will also do well on hydrolyzed protein diets, which are available mainly through veterinary prescription. Many holistic pet owners have found that proper home made diets can also produce wonderful results in their animal companions. If this is not possible, pet owners can feed already prepared raw meat diets such as Instinct or Primal, or minimally processed foods.

What type of follow-up will my dog or cat need?
It is important that pets on chronic medical therapy have periodic veterinary rechecks with blood and/or urine testing to monitor for side effects.  Prognosis for inflammatory bowel disease is usually good for successful long-term palliative management, however disease cure is only occasionally seen.

We'll contact your Vet to verify.
5 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
$8.99
$12.84 Reg Price
Shop now
We'll contact your Vet to verify.
5 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
Prescription Item
Save 40% with first AutoShip. Use code NEW40
$0.32
$0.34
$0.49 Reg Price
Shop now
We'll contact your Vet to verify.
4.9 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
Prescription Item
Save 40% with first AutoShip. Use code NEW40
$0.16
$0.17
$0.24 Reg Price
Shop now
We'll contact your Vet to verify.
4.5 out of 5 Customer Rating
Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol Star symbol
Prescription Item
Save 40% with first AutoShip. Use code NEW40
$23.12
$24.34
$34.78 Reg Price
Shop now