Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition in which your dog’s gastrointestinal tract contains inflamed cells. The gastrointestinal tract includes the stomach, large and small intestines.

Inflammatory bowel disease is more typically found in younger dogs.

Symptoms include include weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea (sometimes bloody). Your dog will also likely have a painful abdomen.

It is impossible to identify the exact cause of inflammatory bowel disease. It is believed, however, that genetics and allergic reactions to certain foods may play a role.

Your vet will try to make a diagnosis based on your dog’s clinical history, blood work and stool sample evaluation. Sometimes, however, your vet will need to perform a biopsy of your dog’s gastrointestinal tract.

Treatment may include dietary changes, anti-diarrheal medications and anti-inflammatory medications.

It is not definitively known how to prevent this condition. However, ensuring that your dog strictly adheres to a prescribed diet may be helpful.

No, you cannot contract inflammatory bowel disease from your dog.