What is a gastric ulcer? What is it due to?
A gastric ulcer or peptic ulcer refers to a sore that forms on the wall of the stomach or duodenum.
In dogs, gastric ulcer is often secondary to the administration of "corrosive" drugs against the gastric mucosa such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids.
It can also be the consequence of another condition such as:
- digestive tumors (gastrinoma or mastocytoma),
- the presence of a foreign body,
- kidney failure, hepatic failure or hypocorticism,
- chronic inflammatory diseases,
- gastritis,
- haemorrhagic gastroenteritis linked in particular to parvovirus,
- acute pancreatitis,
- sepsis,
- head trauma,
- neurological conditions,
- colonization of the digestive tract by a bacterium called helicobacter pylori ( although this has not yet been formally proven in dogs),
- hypovolemia.
What are the symptoms of a gastric ulcer in dogs?
Gastrointestinal ulcer is a major cause of chronic vomiting in dogs. These are often related to eating and contain red or partially digested mucus and/or blood.
Gastric ulcer can also lead to other symptoms such as abdominal pain, anorexia, weight loss, melena (presence of black-looking digested blood in the stool) and signs of anemia .
If the ulcer is perforated, it can be complicated by a state of septic shock.
But an ulcer can also be asymptomatic and go unnoticed by the owner.
How is a gastric ulcer diagnosed?
The definitive diagnosis can be obtained during a gastroduodenal endoscopy and a gastric or duodenal biopsy to determine the cause of the ulcer.
The veterinarian can also use an ultrasound or, more rarely, an X-ray with contrast product.
To determine the origin of the peptic ulcer(s), the veterinarian may also request blood tests.
How can it be treated?
In addition to treating the condition causing the ulcer, treatment generally includes anti-secretory drugs as well as gastric mucosal covering agents.
Phytotherapy can also help animals suffering from ulcers, in particular thanks to liquorice, an anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory plant. Ask for advice from a specialized veterinarian who will be able to prescribe the synergy of plants that will suit the particular case of your animal.