FUNCTIONAL HEALTH GUIDE -- IBD IN DOGS AND CATS

Functional Health — Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

A Clear, Science-Based Guide to Chronic Gut Inflammation in Dogs & Cats
By Dr. Kevin Toman, The Longevity Vet

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Why IBD Is a Functional Health Issue

Chronic vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, or a “sensitive stomach” are common — and often misunderstood.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is one of the most frequent chronic conditions in dogs and cats.
The good news: when recognized early and managed thoughtfully, many pets live comfortable, happy lives for years.

Functional Health addresses IBD upstream, before inflammation becomes entrenched.

This worksheet is a decision-support tool, not a diagnosis.
It is organized around The 3 Core Goals.

The 3 Core Goals

This worksheet is designed to help you:

  1. Clarify what matters most right now

  2. Determine the next best test 

  3. Choose the most appropriate next step

Core Goal 1: Clarify What Matters Most Right Now

What IBD Really Is

IBD is chronic immune-driven inflammation of the intestinal wall.

It develops when the gut immune system becomes over-reactive and begins responding aggressively to things that should be tolerated, such as:

  • food proteins

  • normal gut bacteria

Over time, this inflammation damages the intestinal lining and interferes with digestion and absorption.

IBD is not an infection, and it is not something you caused.

How IBD Often Develops Over Time

IBD rarely appears suddenly. It often progresses through stages:

  1. Food sensitivity

    • mild vomiting, loose stools, gas, itching

    • often improves with diet change

  2. Chronic food-responsive inflammation

    • symptoms come and go

    • diet helps but does not fully resolve signs

  3. True IBD

    • persistent inflammation

    • weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea

    • medication often required

  4. Long-standing inflammation complications

    • thickened, stiff intestines

    • poor nutrient absorption

    • in rare cases, increased cancer risk (especially in cats)

This is why early attention matters.

Common Signs Pet Parents Notice

Dogs and cats with IBD may show:

  • chronic or intermittent vomiting

  • diarrhea (soft or watery)

  • weight loss despite eating

  • poor appetite or picky eating

  • gas or loud gut sounds

  • low energy

Cats may also show:

  • hiding

  • frequent “hairball” vomiting

  • reduced grooming

Early signs are often subtle.

Core Goal 2: Determine the Next Best Test 

IBD is a diagnosis of exclusion — we rule out other causes first.

Functional Health emphasizes sequence, not shortcuts.

The typical tests used to diagnose IBD are....

  • Complete Blood Count and Chemistry Panel
  • Urinalysis
  • Malabsorption Profile -- an advanced blood test
  • Abdominal Ultrasound
  • Advanced imaging:
    • endoscopy/colonoscopy
    • MRI/CT

Step 1: Rule Out Common Look-Alikes

Before labeling a pet as IBD, we rule out:

  • parasites or infections

  • pancreatic disease

  • kidney, liver, or hormonal disease

This is done with bloodwork, stool testing, and sometimes ultrasound.

Step 2: Look for Supporting Clues

Helpful indicators include:

  • low vitamin B12 (very common in IBD)

  • intestinal thickening on ultrasound

  • progressive weight loss

Correcting B12 deficiency alone often improves appetite and energy.

Step 3: Biopsy (When Needed)

Intestinal biopsy may be recommended when:

  • symptoms are severe or persistent

  • response to treatment is poor

  • cancer must be ruled out (especially in cats)

Biopsy provides clarity — not punishment.

Core Goal 3: Choose the Most Appropriate Next Step

IBD management always rests on three pillars:

  1. Diet

  2. Gut environment

  3. Immune control

Pillar 1: Diet -- The Most Important First Step

Diet is both diagnostic and therapeutic.

First-Line Choice: Prescription Hydrolyzed Diets

Why they work:

  • proteins are broken into tiny fragments

  • the immune system no longer recognizes them as threats

Best for:

  • most dogs

  • most cats

  • pets with unknown food triggers

➡️ Strict 8–12 week trial with zero cheats

Many pets improve dramatically with diet alone.

Alternative Diet Paths -- When Needed

Single-protein or limited-ingredient diets

  • useful when prescription diets fail or are refused

  • must be strict and balanced

Home-cooked diets

  • powerful for refractory cases

  • one protein, minimal ingredients

  • professional balancing is mandatory

Vegetarian diets

  • dogs only, rare cases

  • never appropriate for cats

Pillar 2: Supporting the Gut Environment

Helpful tools may include:

  • probiotics or synbiotics

  • vitamin B12 supplementation

  • gentle fiber (when tolerated)

Antibiotics are not routine treatment for IBD.

Pillar 3: Controlling the Immune Response

When diet alone is insufficient:

Prednisone / Prednisolone

  • most common and effective

  • rapidly reduces inflammation

  • tapered to lowest effective dose

Budesonide

  • acts primarily in the gut

  • fewer systemic effects for some pets

Cyclosporine (When Needed)

  • used when steroids fail or are poorly tolerated

  • appropriate escalation, not failure

IBD and Cancer — An Important Clarification

Most pets with IBD do not develop cancer.

However:

  • chronic inflammation increases risk over time

  • in cats, severe IBD and lymphoma can appear similar

Monitoring matters.

What Success Looks Like

Successful IBD management means:

  • minimal vomiting or diarrhea

  • stable weight

  • good appetite

  • comfortable daily life

It does not always mean zero medication.

When to Escalate Beyond the Worksheet

A PET LONGEVITY CONSULT is appropriate when:

  • weight loss is ongoing

  • lab abnormalities cluster

  • response to diet and medication is incomplete

  • biopsy or advanced testing is being considered

Expert guidance prevents years of uncertainty.


Start a Pet Longevity Consult

Your Next Step

IBD is not a dead end — it is a condition that rewards structure, patience, and smart decisions.

If gut signs persist:

  • complete Functional Health — Foundations

  • review related worksheets (nutrition, inflammation, senior screening)

  • escalate thoughtfully when complexity increases

There is no single cure — only the appropriate next step for your pet today.


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The Functional Longevity Takeaway

For the HPLL pet parent, IBD care focuses on:

  • early detection

  • smart diet choices

  • minimal effective medication

  • nutrient support

  • ongoing monitoring

This approach reduces inflammation, preserves gut integrity, and protects long-term health.

 

About These Worksheets


This worksheet is part of the Functional Health system developed at PetFunctionHealth.com, designed to identify early decline and guide long-term longevity strategy.