Changes

*Panhypoproteinaemia

*Panhypoproteinaemia

*Hypocholesterolaemia

*Hypocholesterolaemia

*Mild increased in liver enzymes, secondary to intestinal inflammation

*Mild increased in 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 [[Small Animals #Nematodes of Dogs - the HOOKWORMS |hookworms]], [[Small Animals # Nematodes of Dogs - the WHIPWORM| whipworms]] and [[Giardia|''Giardia'']].

*Faecal analysis should be carried out to rule out parasitic causes such as [[Small Animals #Nematodes of Dogs - the HOOKWORMS |hookworms]], [[Small Animals # Nematodes of Dogs - the WHIPWORM| whipworms]] and [[Giardia|''Giardia'']].

*Serum folate level decreases with proximal small intestinal inflammation.

*Serum folate level decreases with proximal small intestinal [[Inflammation - Pathology|inflammation]].

*Serum cobalamin level decreases with distal small intestinal inflammation.

*Serum cobalamin level decreases with distal small intestinal [[Inflammation - Pathology|inflammation]].

===Diagnostic Imaging===

===Diagnostic Imaging===

*Plain radiography is used to evaluate for anatomic abnormalities.

*Plain radiography is used to evaluate for anatomic abnormalities.

*Contrast study is only valuable if there is a severe mucosal disease.

*Contrast study is only valuable if there is a severe mucosal disease.

*Ultrasonography may reveal mesenteric lymphadenopathy and thickening of the intestinal wall.

*Ultrasonography may reveal mesenteric [[Lymph Nodes - Pathology|lymphadenopathy]] and thickening of the intestinal wall.

**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]].

**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.

*Antimicrobials such as [[Nitroimidazoles|metronidazole]] at 10-15 mg/kg BID for 3-4 weeks

*Antimicrobials such as [[Nitroimidazoles|metronidazole]] for 3-4 weeks

**This may be suitable for mild to moderate cases, and especially in cats.

**This may be suitable for mild to moderate cases, and especially in cats.

**The mucosal damage caused by IBD may decrease the animal's ability to manage to intestinal flora, resulting in secondary ARD has been reported.

**The mucosal damage caused by IBD may decrease the animal's ability to manage to intestinal flora, resulting in secondary ARD has been reported.

*Immunosuppressive therapy

*Immunosuppressive therapy

**This should be used if other treatments are inadequate.

**This should be used if other treatments are inadequate.

**[[Steroids|Prednisolone]] at 2.2mg/kg/day PO for 10 days.  Then gradually taper to EOD.

**[[Steroids|Prednisolone]]  

**Azathioprine or Cyclosporine can be given alternatively if the patient is non-responsive or unable to tolerate steroid.

**Azathioprine or Cyclosporine can be given alternatively if the patient is non-responsive or unable to tolerate steroid.