Lymphocytic-plasmacytic gastroenteritis is the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is caused due to infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells in the GI lining (stomach and intestine). Inflammatory bowel disease is the inflammation of GI tract over a long duration. When the inflammatory agent are lymphocytes and/or plasma cells, the condition is specifically known as lymphocytic-plasmacytic gastroenteritis.
The cause can be abnormal immune response to environmental stimuli due to loss of normal immune regulation, in which bacteria in the intestine may be a trigger. It is the most common form of IBD affecting the dogs and certain breeds are predisposed including Basenjis, Lundenhunds, and Soft-coated Wheaton Terriers.
Severity of condition as well as location of the organ affected in the GI tract will determine outward symptoms, and as such, the symptoms vary greatly from case to case. Most common symptoms of this condition include
Intermittent, chronic vomiting
Chronic, small bowel diarrhea
Loss of appetite (anorexia)
Long-term weight loss (cachexia)
Black stoll
Blood in the stool (red)
Coughing up/vomiting up blood
