Inflammatory bowel syndrome is a set of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It causes the gastrointestinal tract, or gut, to become inflamed, resulting in poor nutrient absorption, diarrhea and vomiting. The cause of inflammatory bowel syndrome in cats remains unknown, though there are a number of proposed theories, including genetics, infectious agents, psychosomatic causes and dietary allergens. The goal of treatment in cats is to reduce inflammation and diarrhea, and encourage weight gain.
Diet
Feeding the cat a hypoallergenic diet, or a diet which does not contain a protein the cat used to eat, for a minimum of eight weeks can be helpful. Added dietary fiber to the cats diet can also help improve the consistency of the feces. A study published in 2007 in the German “Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition” demonstrated that cats with inflammatory bowel syndrome had different bacteria in the gut and that an appropriate diet may help. A study from New Zealand published in a 2001 issue of the "Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine" showed that 50 percent of cats with gastrointestinal problems responded to an elimination diet.
Drugs
Drugs such as prednisolone are often used to reduce the inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. The prednisolone dose can be reduced or stopped altogether once the cat is better. Other immunosuppressive drugs used to treat inflammatory bowel syndrome include chemotherapy drugs such as azathioprine or chlorambucil. Cats treated with azathioprine or chlorambucil should have a complete blood count monitored regularly. Other drugs used include those used after kidney transplants such as cyclosporin.
The antibiotic metronidazole may also be beneficial either alone or in combination with a steroid. Metronidazole is not only an antibiotic, but also appears to be able to reduce inflammation, though it remains unclear if therapeutic doses are sufficient for this role.
Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid
The effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, found in fish oils, in the treatment of humans with inflammatory bowel disorders remain unclear. A study published in a 2009 issue of the "American Journal of Physiology: Renal Physiology" showed that omega-3 reduced inflammation and scarring in the kidney. Its use in cats with inflammatory bowel syndrome is unclear, though it is commonly supplemented in cats with diseases such as chronic renal failure. Care should be taken, however, as omega-3 can cause diarrhea at high doses.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms which can aid in balancing the bacterial flora within the cat's gut. It also appears that they can have anti-inflammatory properties probably due to the by-products of the bacteria. A study published in the "American Journal of Veterinary Research" showed that the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus had an immunomodulatory effect on cats.
Prebiotics are short chain fermentable carbohydrates such as psyllium or beet pulp. A 2004 study published in the "Journal of Nutrition" showed that prebiotics in cats had a beneficial effect on gut microflora, though their effect on inflammatory bowel syndrome remains unclear.
Vitamin B12
A low level of vitamin B12 appears to be common in cats with inflammatory bowel syndrome, though it remains unclear if it is an effect of poor nutrient absorption. A study in the "Journal of Internal veterinary Medicine" showed that cats with gastrointestinal diseases who were treated with vitamin B12 showed improved in symptoms and gained weight.
References
- “Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition”; Molecular Characterisation of the Gut Microflora of healthy and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Cats using Fluorescence in situ hybridisation with Special Reference to Desulfovibrio spp; V.L. Inness, et al.; February 2009
- "Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine"; Food Sensitivity in Cats with Chronic Idiopathic Gastrointestinal Problems; WG Guilford, et al; January 2001
- "American Journal of Physiology: Renal Physiology"; Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Attenuates Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis in the Remnant Kidney; WS An, et al; October 2009
- "Journal of Nutrition"; R.A. Rastall; Bacteria in the Gut: Friends and Foes and How to Alter the Balance; August 2004
- "Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine"; Early Biochemical and Clinical Responses to Cobalamin Supplementation in Cats with Signs of Gastrointestinal Dusease and Severe Hypocoblamin; CG Ruaux et al; March 2005
