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==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
===Clinical Signs===
===Clinical Signs===
[[Vomiting|Vomiting]]is a very common sign in the cat, more common than diarrhoea. Where as in the dog [[Diarrhoea|Diarrhoea]]; very common more so than vomiting and usually small intestinal. Nearly all cases of chronic small intestinal disease present with weight loss and a variable appetite. Lethargy and anorexia are also common in severe cases.
[[Vomiting|Vomiting]] is a very common sign in the cat, more common than diarrhoea. Where as in the dog [[Diarrhoea|Diarrhoea]]is more common and usually small intestinal.
Nearly all cases of chronic small intestinal disease present with weight loss and a variable appetite.
Animals often display abdominal discomfort or pain and excessive borborygmi. Lethargy, anorexia, haematemesis or haematochezia are present in more severe cases.
Animals often display abdominal discomfort or pain and excessive borborygmi. Lethargy, anorexia, haematemesis or haematochezia are present in more severe cases.
Hypoproteinaemia or ascites may also be evident.
Hypoproteinaemia or ascites may also be evident.
===Laboratory Tests===
===Laboratory Tests===
====Haematology====
====Haematology====
A[[Neutrophilia|Neutrophilia]] ± mild left shift will be present in [[Enteritis, Lymphocytic - Plasmacytic |LPE]]
*[[Eosinophilia|Eosinophilia]]
*[[Eosinophilia|Eosinophilia]]
**Not always present in [[Enteritis, Eosinophilic|EE]]
**Not always present in [[Enteritis, Eosinophilic|EE]]
====Biochemistry====
====Biochemistry====
On biochemistry there is often a Panhypoproteinaemia, Hypocholesterolaemia and mildly elevated liver enzymes, secondary to intestinal [[Inflammation - Pathology|inflammation]].
====Other Tests====
====Other Tests====
Faecal analysis should be carried out to rule out parasitic causes such as [[Trichuris vulpis|whipworms]], [[Uncinaria stenocephala|hookworms]] and [[Giardia|''Giardia'']].
Serum folate level decreases with proximal small intestinal [[Inflammation - Pathology|inflammation]] and serum cobalamin level decreases with distal small intestinal [[Inflammation - Pathology|inflammation]].
===Diagnostic Imaging===
===Diagnostic Imaging===
Ultrasonography may reveal mesenteric [[Lymph Nodes - Pathology|lymphadenopathy]] and thickening of the intestinal wall.
Ultrasonography may reveal mesenteric [[Lymph Nodes - Pathology|lymphadenopathy]] and thickening of the intestinal wall.
===Histopathology===
===Histopathology===
A biopsy of the intestine is required for a definitive diagnosis of IBD. A non-invasive biopsy may be taken via endoscopy. However, this limits where the samples can be taken from as the [[Jejunum - Anatomy & Physiology|jejunum]] and [[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]] is not easily accessible. Exploratory laparotomy and full thickness biopsy may be preferred at times.
A biopsy of the intestine is required for a definitive diagnosis of IBD. A non-invasive biopsy may be taken via endoscopy. However, this limits where the samples can be taken from as the [[Jejunum - Anatomy & Physiology|jejunum]] and [[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileum]] are not easily accessible. Exploratory laparotomy and full thickness biopsy may be preferred at times.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
===Dietary modification===
===Dietary modification===
An elimination diet should be instigated. The patient should be fed strictly on a novel protein source that had not previously been exposed to. Clinical signs should resolve within 1-2 weeks. The patient should ideally be rechallenged to demonstrate a true dietary [[Hypersensitivity - WikiBlood|hypersensitivity]].
*Folate and cobalamin supplementation may be required if the levels are subnormal.
*Folate and cobalamin supplementation may be required if the levels are subnormal.