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The Difference Between IBD And IBS In Dogs

 

When Leroy was first diagnosed with IBD, I was terrified and overwhelmed. Intestinal disorders aren’t my forte and the only thing that I knew about IBD was that it was BAD. Dogs that get it are normally very ill when diagnosed and most dogs diagnosed with the disease have a shorter life span.

Thankfully, I didn’t let fear take over and instead I took the time to learn about the condition.

Besides the diagnosis and treatment, one of the most common findings I found when researching the condition was that it was often confused or referred to as IBS.

At one point I had to refer back to Leroy’s diagnosis paperwork because people were using the terms interchangeably and I was getting confused. Does my dog have Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Irritable Bowel Disease? Are they the same?

Finally, I just asked our veterinarian and he assured me that the two were completely different conditions but they are often confused in the medical world, both by professionals and nonprofessionals.

To clear up any confusion on these two conditions here’s the breakdown:

What is IBD.

IBD is short for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.  

IBD is a general term for disorders that involve chronic inflammation of the stomach, colon or small intestine.  Chron’s disease and ulcerative colitis are types of IBD.  

With Inflammatory Bowel Disease,  inflammatory cells invade the walls of the stomach or intestines causing it to become irritated.  This irritation causes the lining to thicken and become inflamed.

 As the lining of the intestines become inflamed and ulcerated,  it loses its ability to adequately process food and waste or absorb water, resulting in loose stools and/or vomiting, bloating and rectal bleeding.  

Severe IBD can lead to malabsorption and malnutrition, including deficiency of vitamins and minerals and anemia.

IBD is often treated with steroids, immunosuppressive, antibiotics and a strict dietary change that can often include a novel protein or a diet low in fat.

Inflammation from IBD can also affect joints, skin, and eyes.  No dog with IBD is the same and symptoms and treatment can vary. Dogs that have IBD are more prone to intestinal cancer.  

What is IBS

IBS is short for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and it is a SYNDROME not a disease.

It is not Irritable Bowel Disease.  

IBS is classified as a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which means there is some type of disturbance in bowel function, usually due to anxiety or stress. According to the Chron’s and Colitis Foundation of America and many other sites, IBS does NOT cause chronic inflammation

It doesn’t result in permanent damage to the intestines, intestinal bleeding, or other harmful complications that often occur with IBD.

Dogs with IBS are not at higher risk for intestinal cancer, nor are they more likely to develop IBD or other gastrointestinal diseases.

With IBS the intestines look normal but they don’t function normally which is why it’s considered a functional disorder.

Treatment for IBS is often a change in diet, a reduction in stressful situations and sometimes medication to help cramping and ease anxiety.

IBD and IBS can have similar symptoms further adding to the confusion of the two. Symptoms can often be vomiting, diarrhea,  loss of appetite, and weight loss.

Veterinarians will often diagnosis IBS through routine lab work to rule out other conditions. IBD can normally only be diagnosed through bloodwork, ultrasound and an intestinal biopsy.

Both IBD and IBS can be serious conditions that require medical management by a veterinarian but their treatment and prognosis are totally different and should not be confused.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest!

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Monika & Sam

Monday 20th of June 2016

Either condition sounds confusing (and serious) so thanks for clarifying the difference between the two! Glad Leroy is doing so well after his diagnosis. We just love seeing that big lug's face. ;)

Jen

Monday 20th of June 2016

Thanks Monika.

We've been really lucky so far with him and the IBD, knock on wood!

Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom

Saturday 18th of June 2016

Oh, Jen, I'm sooooo glad you DID "get this off [your] chest"!! It clears things up for ME, concerning Ducky's issues. And I thank you for that. I just hope that this post wasn't a result of Leroy's not feeling well again.

When Ducky was having her issues, our vet - God Bless Him! - patiently waited (about a month) for me to accept the fact that she needed a diet change - among other things - while putting up with my panicky phone calls to his cellphone during off-hours. I don't remember now, any more, which of her many episodes lit the lightbulb over my head; but maybe it was your posts about Leroy's problems that finally opened my eyes. Anyway, during that one visit to the vet, he gave us a presumptive diagnosis of "IBD/IBS". He didn't want to do a biopsy because he felt it would stir up more problems than it would solve. So, we went with the diet change, the "doggy Prozac", Metoclopromide, and Metronidazole; and within a few days we started seeing a change.

Until I read this post, I always thought IBD and IBS were "interchangeable", so I thank you for setting me straight. I know now that Ducky's issues are IBS-related, not IBD. Her anxieties sometimes make the IBS flare-up, but thankfully those episodes are few and far between these days. And when she's not feeling - or acting - quite "right" I give her the prescription food for a day or two and it seems to do the trick.

Susan

Sunday 19th of June 2016

Please give "Taste Of The Wild" Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb or Pacific Stream Smoked Salmon a try instead of any vet diets, My boy has IBD Food Sensitivities after 3 yrs of trying most vet diets that caused skin problems & premium kibbles, that cause bad gas & wind pain, I found a EPI group & a IBD group & found out that so many dogs with IBD EPI & Food/Skin Allergies were doing really well on "Taste Of The Wild" Kibbles... so after 3 months if things are great & skin problems are happen pleas give TOTW a try its a 5 star food

2 Brown Dawgs

Friday 17th of June 2016

Excellent information. Thanks for sharing.

Jen

Monday 20th of June 2016

Thank you for reading!

jan

Friday 17th of June 2016

Thanks for all your research. I hope i never have to use it. I know several humans with IBS.

Jen

Monday 20th of June 2016

Thanks Jan, Unfortunately I know several humans with IBS also. Sucks.

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