Dog Ulcers

"Dog ulcers have multiple causes include medications, injuries and several diseases. Treatment involves acid blocking medications and dietary change."

There are a number of things that can contribute to this condition, including:

* Drugs (NSAIDs, Corticosteroid, Cytotoxics)
* Various illnesses (liver disease, uremia-waste in the blood, hypoadrenocorticism, severe gastritis, foreign bodies in the stomach, mast cell tumor)
* Lead poisoning
* Stress
* Injuries (head/cranial, spinal injuries)
* Infection ( with a bacteria called helicobacter pylori is also thought to play a role)

Dog Ulcer Symptoms

* Lack of appetite

* Vomiting (vomit may look like coffee grounds due to partially digested blood)

* Stomach pain (your dog will yelp and/or pull away if you touch or press on his belly)

* Pale gums

* Weakness

* Black, tarry stools (this is because they contain digested blood due to bleeding from the ulcer)

Dog Ulcer Diagnosis

* Blood tests

* A urinalysis

* X-rays to rule out tumors or foreign bodies in the digestive tract

* An ultrasound to look for gastrointestinal abnormalities - the ultrasound will not identify the ulcer itself

* A contrast upper GI study with barium may identify ulcers

* A gastroduodenal endoscopy is the best way to diagnose a dog ulcer. An endoscopy is when an instrument is passed into an area of the body. There is a small video camera the end to allow the veterinarian to view inside of your dog. An endoscope can also take a small skin sample.

It can take some time and a lot of tests to diagnose your dog’s problem. Your vet will start with the least invasive tests and move on to the more invasive ones when the first tests don’t yield a diagnosis. Ulcers in dogs are not very common, so it will not be the first thing your vet suspects.

Dog Ulcer Treatments and Medicine for Canine Ulcers

If your dog is actively vomiting, oral intake will be restricted. He can be given fluids under the skin (subcutaneously) to prevent dehydration until the vomiting stops.

Managing your dog's diet will focus on emptying the stomach to minimize the retention of contents within the stomach wall. When feeding is restored, the diet should assist the healing processes. Then a bland diet can be introduced a little at a time. Your vet may recommend a special diet for a dog ulcer.

Medicine for Canine Ulcers include acid blocking medication. Medications that coat the stomach will probably be prescribed as well. Acid blocking agents include H2-receptor antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, gastric mucosal protectants (sucralfate), and synthetic prostaglandin analogues (misoprostol).

If the vet is able to identify a cause of the ulcer, for instance a certain illness, that condition can be treated. Otherwise, treatment will just have to be aimed at the ulcer itself.

Sources

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