CHC - Colon Health Counts

Colitis refers to inflammation of the colon (e.g., large intestine) with any of a variety of causes. Colitis is a relatively common problem in pets and may be caused by reactions to food, gastrointestinal parasites, bacterial or fungal infections, benign infiltrative diseases (such as inflammatory bowel disease), and even neoplasia (cancer).

The most common symptoms of colitis include straining to defecate, bright red blood on the stool, fecal mucus, and increased frequency of defecation. Most animals are alert, active, and have normal appetites in spite of having colitis. Occasionally, they have diseases affecting both the small intestine and colon, which may cause vomiting, alterations in appetite, and/or weight loss.

Diagnosis of colitis is based on the patient's history and findings of the physical examination by your veterinarian and selected diagnostic tests. Puppies and kittens are particularly prone to acute colitis caused by dietary indiscretion (eating garbage), parasites, and bacterial infections, which may be spread from animal to animal. Most of these disorders cause abrupt symptoms prompting veterinary attention.

Parasites are easily diagnosed by your veterinarian, who can do so by examining fecal material under a microscope. Rectal swabs for cytologic examination or bacterial fecal cultures may also be recommended.

Other diseases, such as fungal infections (e.g., histoplasmosis), inflammatory bowel disease, and neoplasia, occur mostly in adult animals and are characterized by symptoms that have been present for several weeks to months.

These animals usually require hospitalization and a more in-depth diagnostic evaluation to confirm a diagnosis. Careful rectal examination is performed in all animals and may provide important clues to the cause of inflammation.

Therapeutic trials in animals suspected of having parasitic or dietary causes of colitis are reasonable. Some parasites (such as whipworm infestation in dogs) are difficult to detect. Your veterinarian may treat your pet with medication to kill this or other suspected parasites. If bacterial

infection caused by Clostridium perfringens is suspected, treatment with an antibiotic is often useful.

Pets that have dietary causes of colitis usually respond favorably to being fed "bland" or hypoallergenic diets. These nutritionally complete diets are highly digestible and reduce the workload of the gut. Fiber supplementation is also beneficial in promoting healing and repair of colonic tissue. A variety of prescription foods or recipes for homemade diets that are appropriate for your pet are available from your veterinarian.

Animals that fail to respond to symptomatic therapy and those having chronic symptom require additional diagnostic testing. These tests may blood work, urinalysis, radiographic imaging procedures, and tissue biopsy. Endoscopic examination of the colon (e.g., colonoscopy, which is an examination of the inside of the colon with a scope and light) with mucosal biopsy provides the most definitive diagnosis in most cases.

Your pet may require hospitalization before the procedure for bowel cleansing. The colonoscopy is performed while your pet is anesthetized or sedated. The results of endoscopic biopsy will guide treatment recommendations by your veterinarian and provide useful information about the likelihood of cure or recurrence.

Regardless of the cause, dietary modification with a hypoallergenic diet and fiber supplementation are beneficial for most dogs and cats with chronic colitis.

The above is general veterinary information. Do not begin any course of treatment without consulting your regular veterinarian. All animals should be examined at least once every 12 months.

About the author:

From the Textbook of Veterinary Internal Information: Client Information Series. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company. All rights reserved.

Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital and its cat-only affiliate, Coastal Cat Clinic, are small animal practices located in Pacifica, California. To find a veterinarian or to learn more about the vet clinic and our staff, visit:[http://lindamarvet.com/]

Written by: Albert E. Jergens, DVM