Gastroduodenal ulceration is loss of the mucosa of the stomach or duodenum deep enough to expose the submucosa or deeper layers. Erosions stop at the mucosa; ulcers go deeper and can bleed heavily or perforate. In dogs most cases trace back to a drug (above all NSAIDs), a tumour or liver disease, so finding and removing the cause matters as much as suppressing acid.
Key facts
Gastrointestinal ulceration at a glance- Species and system: dog; stomach and duodenum (gastrointestinal).
- Most commonly reported causes: NSAIDs, neoplasia and hepatic disease.
- Classic presentation: vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain, sometimes hematemesis or melena; many dogs show only vague signs or none.
- Typical bloodwork: anemia (often with iron-deficiency changes), hypoproteinemia, increased urea with normal creatinine.
- Gold standard diagnosis: endoscopy; ultrasound has low sensitivity for non-perforated ulcers.
- Treatment of choice: a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) twice daily, plus removal of the cause; surgery for perforation.
- Not zoonotic, not reportable.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 2 figures, 3 self-test questions and 11 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.