Fletcher has a relatively mild case of IBD. We did not scope him, my vet said (when we had run out of other ideas) let's treat him *as if* he had IBD and see what happens, and that was it. I have learned over the years what he can tolerate, and what sets him off. He is raw fed, because apparently something in the processing of the food to make kibble, even if it is foods that he normally tolerates, does not agree with him. With every new thing, food, treats, supplements, he has to be carefully watched until we know how he will react. And, sometimes, there are flareups for no known reason, but those are usually mild and short lived. A couple of days of runny poop. Unfortunately, he seems to have developed a new sensitivity to chicken. sigh. I am still testing, but that will be a pain in the wallet if he can't eat chicken any more.
Once your dog is stabilized, and you figure out what you can and can't feed, it gets easier, but it is a life long management process, and you can't EVER forget, or relax.
I am in Phoenix, AZ. Fletcher is 9, and I have had him since he was 2 (racing school dropout )