Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects thousands of pets annually. It can affect the small or large intestine or both. Animals may have reflux, regurgitation, vomiting, lack of appetite or increased appetite, and diarrhea with mucous or blood. If the problem goes on long enough the pet may also suffer with weight loss.
The disease may be related to food intolerance or chronic stimulation secondary to food allergy, poor gut health, or overgrowth of bacteria in the gut. From a TCVM perspective, the problem is associated with an excess or a deficiency. The patterns most commonly associated include Damp-Heat, Qi-Blood Stagnation, Liver Qi Stagnation, and Spleen Qi Deficiency.
1. Damp-Heat - Inflammation in the intestine and chronic indigestion can lead to loss of appetite and lethargy. Stool will consist of diarrhea with a foul odor. The tongue will be red and may have a greasy yellow coating. This is commonly seen in an acute flare-up of inflammatory bowel disease. The best herb for this condition is Coptis, as it eliminates the damp heat. It should be used until the diarrhea has cleared. Foods that can help eliminate Damp Heat include squash, dandelion, celery, Shiitake mushrooms, string beans, and asparagus. Avoid large meals or fatty food. Avoid lamb, chicken, and venison, as these produce more heat. Duck, rabbit, or fish would be good protein sources.
2. Qi-Blood Stagnation - These pets will suffer with chronic diarrhea with a foul odor, abdominal pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, and irritability. The tongue will be purple or red. An herbal formula designed to move Qi and Blood, dry Damp, and relieve stagnation will help. Yue Ju Wan is one formula that can be used. Foods to add can include dandelion, barley, cabbage, celery, beets, ocean fish, Shiitake mushrooms, apples, vinegar, and parsley. Foods to avoid include large meals, fatty foods, lamb, and venison. Congee would be a good way to introduce food if a pet has been vomiting; gradually add the foods listed here or cook them in a batch of congee. Get the pet moving to resolve stagnation - daily walks, play, or exercise are helpful.
3. Liver Qi Stagnation - Irregular diet, frustration, or overwork can lead to stagnation of the Liver Qi. This is more common in animals with a Wood personality. When the Liver Qi stops flowing, it no longer supports the function of the digestive system, resulting in Stomach Qi stagnation and formation of heat which will injure the Stomach Yin. The Stomach Qi stagnation leads to belching, reflux, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and stomach pain. The heat leads to diarrhea and damage to the intestinal cells, resulting in leaky gut. The tongue will be red or purple, especially on the sides. Herbal formulas to dispel Liver Qi Stagnation include Chai Hu Su Gan Wan, Free and Easy Wanderer, and Liver Happy. Foods to supplement include turkey, rabbit, apples, asparagus, squash, barley, honey, cabbage, dark leafy greens, and Shiitake mushrooms. Foods to avoid include dry kibble, large meals, fatty foods, beef, lamb, and vinegar. Resolve any frustration issues by spending time walking, playing, or performing tasks.
4. Spleen Qi Deficiency - These pets will suffer loss of appetite and loose stool. The limbs will be weak and the coat will lack luster. The tongue will be pale and the pet may seek warmth. The animals will lack energy. There may be undigested food in the stool. Shen Ling Bai Zhu is the preferred herbal formula. Foods to supplement include cooked chicken, squash, yam, mushrooms, ginger, and oats. Foods to avoid include duck, ocean fish, seaweed, dry kibble, and raw food. Cooking meals in a slow cooker and processing them in a blender or food processor will help pre-digest the food so the pet's digestive system can rest. Avoid over-work and stress. Gentle exercise is appropriate. Digestive enzymes can be helpful for this condition.
Pre- and probiotics can be beneficial to replenish good bacteria in the gut, especially after prolonged bouts of diarrhea or treatment with antibiotics such as metronidazole.
Recipes to support the digestive system can be found in my book Yin & Yang 2.0 Nutrition for Dogs. The Earth Diet and bland diet for cold diarrhea are appropriate for Spleen Qi Deficiency. The bland diet for hot diarrhea would be appropriate for the first three TCVM disorders listed here.
Feeding dry kibble diets rarely helps these pets. My go-to trial diet is generally baked cod with butternut squash or a rabbit-based home-prepared meal which may be fed raw or cooked. Commercial rabbit-based diets with minimal ingredients can work for many cats and dogs. While pet owners often complain about the cost of these meals, the cost of veterinary visits and diagnostics, as well as the discomfort the pet is undergoing, make them well worth the cost.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose, treat, or replace consulting a primary veterinarian for individualized care.