An IBD cat can have variable physical findings, depending on a number of factors including chronicity of the disease process and location of the disease in the bowel. The physical findings may be unremarkable in some cases, whereas other affected cats present with more severe changes, such as a thin to emaciated body condition, varying degrees of abdominal tenseness, palpably thickened intestinal loops, mesenteric lymphadenopathy, and various degrees of dehydration. It is very important for the veterinarian to do a complete organ system review during the physical examination, to rule out concurrent disease processes. It is important to screen for other disease processes that may be causing the clinical signs. The complete blood count often is normal, although mild to moderate leukocytosis may be seen.
Eosinophilia is a nonspecific indicator of eosinophilic gastroenteritis.
Urinalysis usually is normal. Survey abdominal radiography is often unremarkable, and barium GI contrast studies may demonstrate normal to irregular mucosal lining abnormalities and thickened intestinal walls. In most cases radiography is unrewarding. A definitive diagnosis of IBD can be made only by mucosal or full-thickness intestinal biopsy. Gastric, duodenal, or colonic mucosal biopsy can be easily obtained by fiberoptic endoscopic techniques.