Gastrointestinal Ulcers
An ulceration within the stomach or intestines occurs when the protective barrier of mucus covering the inner surfaces of the gastrointestinal tract is lost or destroyed, allowing stomach acids and bile acids to erode the gastrointestinal lining. The same type of heartburn humans can sometimes experience with this problem can affect dogs and cats as well, leading to inappetence, vomiting, and lethargy.
Ulcers actually are indicators of disease rather than distinct disease syndromes in themselves. Sharp foreign bodies or harsh chemicals that are swallowed can scrape, injure, and in the case of the latter burn the gastrointestinal lining and cause a primary ulceration. Ulcers occur secondary to stress, infectious diseases, intestinal parasites, bacteria (including Helicobacter), and metabolic diseases such as Cushing’s disease and kidney disease. Certain drugs can also have a deleterious effect on the stomach lining when given orally.
Diagnosis of an ulcer relies heavily on clinical signs seen and the history or evidence of an underlying disorder. Radiographs taken after the oral administration of barium can be used to pinpoint the exact location of an ulcer. In addition, direct visualization of the actual stomach or intestinal lining using an endoscope is another means of diagnosing ulcers in a pet.
Obviously, when formulating any treatment regimen for ulcers, any underlying source for the ulceration must be identified and treated. Specific ulcer treatment is aimed at reducing the amount of stomach acid secretion and providing a protective coating over the existing ulcer until it has time to heal. Medications used to treat ulcers in humans are very effective at treating the same in pets.
Ulcers actually are indicators of disease rather than distinct disease syndromes in themselves. Sharp foreign bodies or harsh chemicals that are swallowed can scrape, injure, and in the case of the latter burn the gastrointestinal lining and cause a primary ulceration. Ulcers occur secondary to stress, infectious diseases, intestinal parasites, bacteria (including Helicobacter), and metabolic diseases such as Cushing’s disease and kidney disease. Certain drugs can also have a deleterious effect on the stomach lining when given orally.
Diagnosis of an ulcer relies heavily on clinical signs seen and the history or evidence of an underlying disorder. Radiographs taken after the oral administration of barium can be used to pinpoint the exact location of an ulcer. In addition, direct visualization of the actual stomach or intestinal lining using an endoscope is another means of diagnosing ulcers in a pet.
Obviously, when formulating any treatment regimen for ulcers, any underlying source for the ulceration must be identified and treated. Specific ulcer treatment is aimed at reducing the amount of stomach acid secretion and providing a protective coating over the existing ulcer until it has time to heal. Medications used to treat ulcers in humans are very effective at treating the same in pets.
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