Reprints About Us Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs and Cats by Holly R. Frisby, DVM Drs. In English, that means the condition has existed for weeks to months. It is characterized by certain cells invading the wall of the intestine. These cells are those associated with inflammation , which is the body's result to an insult or injury. Inflammatory cells include lymphocytes and plasmacytes which are directly responsible for the body's immune response.
Eosinophils are another cell commonly present in inflammation.
Other inflammatory cells called neutrophils are responsible for the actual destruction of foreign invaders such as bacteria or clean up of damaged tissue . The types of cells infiltrating the intestine determine the type of inflammatory bowel disease that is present. The cause of inflammatory bowel disease is unknown. Genetics, nutrition, infectious agents and abnormalities of the immune system may all play a role. Inflammatory bowel disease may not be an actual disease onto itself, but a characteristic response of the body to certain conditions caused by a variety of factors.