As a dog lover and veterinarian, one of the health conditions I educate pet parents about is stomach ulcers. While you may know that humans can get stomach ulcers, did you know this painful problem affects dogs too? Stomach (or gastric) ulcers occur when the protective lining of a dog‘s stomach becomes damaged, allowing digestive acids to irritate the sensitive underlying tissue. Left untreated, stomach ulcers can lead to dangerous complications.
In this article, I‘ll explain the common causes and signs of stomach ulcers in dogs, how this condition is diagnosed and treated, and steps you can take to reduce your dog‘s risk. If you suspect your dog could have a stomach ulcer, always consult your veterinarian rather than attempting to diagnose or treat it on your own.
What Causes Stomach Ulcers in Dogs?
The most common causes of canine stomach ulcers include:
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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Both over-the-counter human NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin as well as veterinary prescription NSAIDs can contribute to ulcer development, especially at high doses or when combined with steroids. Never give your dog any medication, including NSAIDs, without consulting your vet first.
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Liver or kidney disease: Dogs with impaired liver or kidney function are at increased risk for stomach ulcers. These organs play important roles in removing toxins from the bloodstream.
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Decreased blood flow to the stomach: Certain conditions and situations can reduce blood flow to a dog‘s stomach, increasing ulcer risk. Examples include general anesthesia, shock, gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat), Addison‘s disease, and severe dehydration.
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Ingesting foreign objects or toxins: Eating things they shouldn‘t, whether that‘s part of a chew toy, a houseplant, or garbage, can damage a dog‘s stomach lining directly or indirectly.
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Heat stroke: Dogs who have suffered from heat stroke often develop stomach ulcers as well, likely related to poor perfusion and inflammatory responses in the body. Prevent heat stroke by limiting your dog‘s activity in hot weather, providing shade and cool water, and never leaving them in a parked car.
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Strenuous exercise: Highly athletic dogs who engage in intense physical activity like sled racing are prone to exercise-induced gastric disease and ulcers. Work with your vet to determine safe conditioning and hydration protocols if your dog is a canine athlete.
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Cancer: Some cancerous tumors in the stomach itself, like leiomyosarcoma, can directly damage the stomach lining. Other cancers elsewhere in the body, particularly mast cell tumors, can interfere with normal stomach protection through paraneoplastic syndromes.
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Spinal cord injury: Dogs with spinal cord trauma, including intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), also have a higher than normal rate of stomach ulcers. The connection is not fully understood but may involve disruption of nerve signals to the GI tract.
Certain breeds and individuals may have a genetic predisposition to developing stomach ulcers. Dogs with other digestive issues like inflammatory bowel disease and chronic gastritis are also at increased risk. Stress, whether from an underlying illness or environmental factors, can make dogs more prone to ulcers as well.
Signs of Stomach Ulcers in Dogs
Stomach ulcers don‘t always cause obvious symptoms, especially in the early stages. As they progress, affected dogs may show some combination of:
- Decreased appetite or disinterest in food/treats
- Excessive drooling and lip licking
- Nausea (you may see your dog licking their lips, swallowing frequently, or turning their head away from food)
- Vomiting, with or without blood (blood may appear bright red or resemble coffee grounds if partially digested)
- Weight loss
- Acute abdominal pain (may manifest as restlessness, panting, prayer position, growling when touched, guarding the belly)
- Pale gums
Left untreated, stomach ulcers can erode completely through the stomach wall, resulting in a perforated ulcer. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate surgery. Dogs may suddenly become very weak, collapse, have pale mucous membranes, a racing heart rate, and excruciating abdominal pain. Even with prompt treatment, perforated ulcers carry a guarded prognosis.
If you notice potential signs of stomach ulcers in your dog, see your veterinarian right away. The sooner this painful condition is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome tends to be.
Diagnosing Stomach Ulcers in Dogs
Your vet will likely suspect stomach ulcers based on your dog‘s medical history, clinical signs, and physical exam findings. Blood and urine tests, as well as imaging like x-rays or ultrasound, can help rule out other medical issues and underlying causes.
To definitively diagnose stomach ulcers, your dog may need an endoscopic exam under general anesthesia. This procedure involves passing a thin tube with a camera through the mouth and into the stomach to visualize any abnormalities. Your vet can also take biopsy samples of concerning areas to determine the nature of the damage.
In some cases, exploratory abdominal surgery may be recommended. Though more invasive than endoscopy, it allows your vet to examine the stomach as well as the rest of the GI tract and abdominal organs. Surgery also enables larger tissue samples to be collected. Your vet will discuss whether endoscopy or surgery is the best diagnostic approach for your dog.
How Are Stomach Ulcers Treated?
The goal of treatment is to:
- Address any underlying medical issues
- Reduce stomach acid production
- Protect and promote healing of the damaged stomach lining
Dogs with severe ulcers may need to be hospitalized to receive IV fluids, electrolyte supplementation, blood transfusions, and other supportive care. Most dogs are treated with a combination of oral medications, including:
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Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): Drugs like omeprazole are the most effective at suppressing stomach acid production. They work by blocking the cellular pumps that release acid into the stomach.
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Histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs): Famotidine and other H2 blockers lower stomach acid, but generally not as well as PPIs. They may be appropriate for milder cases.
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Sucralfate: This oral medication binds to damaged areas of the stomach lining, shielding the raw tissue from further injury. It also stimulates mucus secretion to promote healing.
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Misoprostol: As a synthetic prostaglandin, misoprostol inhibits acid production and has protective effects on the stomach lining cells.
Your vet will determine the best combination of medications for your dog. It‘s very important to give them exactly as prescribed. Sucralfate in particular needs to be given on an empty stomach as it can interfere with the absorption of food and other drugs.
If your dog has been on long-term acid suppression therapy, they will need to be gradually weaned off rather than stopped abruptly. Stopping cold turkey can cause a rebound effect of excess stomach acid secretion, making ulcers worse.
Long-term complications of stomach ulcers besides perforation can include anemia from chronic blood loss, stomach obstruction from scarring, and increased risk of stomach cancer. This is why it‘s so critical to work closely with your vet to treat existing ulcers and prevent new ones from forming.
Preventing Stomach Ulcers
You can reduce your dog‘s risk of developing stomach ulcers by:
- Never giving over-the-counter pain medications without your vet‘s approval
- Using the lowest effective dose of any prescribed NSAIDs and giving them with food
- Not combining NSAIDs and steroid medications
- Keeping foreign objects, houseplants, chemicals, and other toxins out of your dog‘s reach
- Avoiding strenuous exercise in hot weather and ensuring proper conditioning
- Carefully managing any chronic diseases your dog may have
- Minimizing stress in your dog‘s environment
Some dogs, especially those with a history of stomach ulcers or certain health conditions, may benefit from prophylactic treatment with acid-reducing drugs or stomach-coating medications. Your vet can advise you on whether preventative therapy is right for your dog.
The Bottom Line
Stomach ulcers are painful sores that form when the protective lining of a dog‘s stomach breaks down. Many factors can contribute to ulcer development, from medications to underlying diseases to ingesting foreign objects. Without treatment, stomach ulcers tend to get progressively worse and can even perforate.
If you notice signs of stomach discomfort or illness in your dog, see your veterinarian promptly. Quick diagnosis and treatment improve the chances of a full recovery. You can also take steps to lower your dog‘s ulcer risk. Partner with your vet to create an individualized plan to keep your pup‘s stomach healthy and comfortable.
