Inflammatory bowel disease in cats causes chronic gastrointestinal suffering that often goes unrecognized. Effective management requires distinguishing IBD from other conditions and committing to long-term care.
Feline IBD exemplifies how chronic conditions are normalized to the detriment of animal welfare. The cat who vomits several times a week, who slowly loses weight despite eating, who has periodic episodes of diarrhea - these signs are routinely attributed to 'sensitive stomach' or 'just how she is' without veterinary investigation. Yet these signs indicate chronic intestinal inflammation that causes ongoing discomfort and nutrient malabsorption. The progressive weight loss represents ongoing suffering and the increasing vulnerability that accompanies wasting. Cats whose IBD is diagnosed and managed with dietary modification and/or immune-suppressive medication often show dramatic quality of life improvement - they vomit less, maintain weight, and appear more comfortable.