Dr. Ruth Roberts | July 1, 2025

Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Pets: Morgan’s Story

Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is one of the most frustrating and persistent gastrointestinal conditions we see in pets. It often leads to a painful cycle of diarrhea, constipation, poor nutrient absorption, and fatigue, and in many cases, it’s compounded by other health issues like pancreatitis or even early-stage kidney disease.

Today, I want to share the story of Morgan, a resilient 13-year-old Welsh Terrier who overcame years of chronic illness with the help of personalized nutrition, gut support, and natural therapies. Her journey is one of patience, compassion, and the power of feeding the body to heal from within.

What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in pets is a chronic condition where the gastrointestinal (GI) tract becomes inflamed due to an abnormal immune response. Essentially, the body starts attacking its own gut lining, which leads to persistent symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and poor appetite. It’s not a single disease but rather a syndrome caused by various underlying factors, including food sensitivities, gut microbiome imbalances, or even genetic predispositions.

Where Inflammation Happens and What It Means

The inflammation can occur in different parts of the GI tract, stomach, small intestine, or colon, and the symptoms often depend on which area is affected. For example, inflammation in the small intestine might cause chronic diarrhea and weight loss, while inflammation in the colon could lead to frequent, small amounts of diarrhea with mucus or blood.

Why IBD Is Difficult to Diagnose

The tricky part with IBD is that it’s often a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning we rule out other possible causes like infections, parasites, or cancer before concluding it’s IBD. And while conventional treatments often involve medications like steroids or immunosuppressants to manage symptoms, I’ve always emphasized the importance of addressing the root cause, whether that’s through dietary changes, gut health support, or reducing inflammation naturally.

Common Symptoms of IBD in Pets:

Chronic vomiting
Diarrhea or soft stools
Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Lethargy
Abdominal discomfort
Bloating or gas

These symptoms often come and go, making diagnosis and treatment a challenge.

The Role of Diet in Managing IBD

One of the most critical aspects of managing IBD is diet. Feeding real, whole foods that are easy to digest and low in inflammatory triggers can make a world of difference. In many cases, chronic inflammation in the gut is aggravated by highly processed commercial pet foods filled with artificial additives, rendered proteins, or ingredients your pet may be sensitive to.

This is where food therapy becomes a powerful tool. Food isn’t just fuel, it can also serve as medicine. In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM), food therapy is used to balance internal disharmony and strengthen the digestive organs. For example, warming foods may help pets with chronic diarrhea and poor appetite, while cooling foods may benefit those with inflamed, red gums or hot skin conditions. The energetics of food, how it affects the body’s Qi (energy), are taken into account to create a truly personalized nutritional plan.

For pets with IBD, food therapy focuses on nourishing the Spleen and Stomach systems, promoting gentle digestion, reducing gut heat and dampness (inflammatory patterns), and rebuilding the gut lining. Incorporating principles from TCVM into a home-cooked, rotational diet can significantly ease symptoms and restore balance.

This approach is not a quick fix, but when done consistently and thoughtfully, it lays the foundation for long-term gut healing and resilience, just as it did for Morgan.

A Long Road of Digestive Trouble

Morgan first came into the office with a three-year history of chronic gastrointestinal symptoms. She suffered from alternating diarrhea and constipation, episodes of abdominal pain, and bouts of pancreatitis. Despite multiple veterinary interventions, including prednisone, budesonide, and a hydrolyzed protein prescription diet, her symptoms never fully resolved.

Fiber supplementation using psyllium actually made things worse, triggering even more discomfort and bloating. Morgan's family was heartbroken. Not only was she aging rapidly, but her joy for life seemed to be slipping away. She looked tired. Her energy was gone. Even her once vibrant coat had dulled.

Initial lab results were mostly unremarkable, except for a mild elevation in alkaline phosphatase (248 IU/L), a common finding in older dogs. But Morgan’s parents knew something had to change. They were ready to try something different.

A Personalized Gut Healing Plan

We started by taking a holistic approach to Morgan’s care. Using the results of her Glacier Peak Pet Wellness Scan and formulation tools from the Animal Diet Formulator, I developed three individualized home-cooked recipes featuring lean beef, chicken, and pork.

Key changes included:

Low-fat diets to minimize pancreatitis risk
Limited vegetables and starches to reduce digestive load
A strict 24-hour food rotation and elimination plan to uncover hidden sensitivities
Gradual transition over three weeks to support her gut’s adjustment

To support gastrointestinal motility and reduce inflammation, I introduced a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) formula called Bao He Wan, which helped improve food descent and balanced digestive energy (Qi).

These changes may sound simple, but they were powerful.

From Gut Struggles to Glowing Health

Within a few weeks, Morgan’s transformation began. Her stool consistency improved dramatically, consistently reaching a score of 2–3 on the Purina Fecal Scoring System. Her episodes of abdominal pain became rare and were only triggered by the occasional outdoor scavenging incident.

Home-Cooked-Pet-Food

By her three-month follow-up, Morgan was clinically stable. Her energy returned. Her coat color and quality improved. And most importantly, her spark came back.

Her parents sent us updates, thrilled to share that Morgan was acting like her younger self again, going on long walks, playing ball, and enjoying life with a strength and joy they hadn’t seen in years.

“She’s back to her old terrier ways,” they said with joy in their voices. “It’s like we got our dog back.”

Why Home-Cooked Food Was the Game-Changer

Morgan’s healing didn’t come from a prescription. It came from food, real, nourishing, home-cooked food. Commercial diets had failed her, likely due to:

Overprocessing
Fillers and additives
Poor moisture content
Lack of ingredient transparency

Chronic IBD often doesn’t respond to medications alone. Pets need diets that are gentle on the gut, rich in bioavailable nutrients, and tailored to their individual sensitivities. In Morgan’s case, targeted nutrition plus functional support gave her a second chance at a happy, comfortable life.

Final Thoughts From One Pet Parent to Another

If your pet suffers from ongoing digestive issues like vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, or inconsistent stools, please know that there is hope. My Gut Instincts: Natural Digestion and GI Health Course offers:

Special rotation diet recipes like the ones Morgan used
Training videos to guide you through gut repair
Food planning worksheets
The Ultimate Gut Health Supplement Guide
Access to our private Facebook community where you can ask questions and share progress

Morgan’s transformation wasn’t magic, it was the result of nutrition, patience, and guidance. And I believe the same healing is possible for your pet, too.