Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the dog's GI tract. Symptoms include chronic vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and reduced appetite. Diagnosis requires biopsies and is made by a vet, not by an owner trying different bags. Treatment usually combines dietary therapy (often a hydrolyzed protein prescription diet or a strict novel protein elimination diet) with medication. IBD is not the same thing as a sensitive stomach. Dogs with chronic GI symptoms that do not improve with a diet change need a vet workup, not another bag swap. The diagnostic protocol matters because IBD can mimic other conditions.