Ulcer

Ulcer (plural: ulcers) is the medical term for a sore – i.e. a deep tissue injury where the uppermost layers have literally broken open. In dogs, this mainly affects the gastrointestinal tract, the cornea of the eye or the skin. Such lesions are painful, do not heal on their own and must definitely be treated by a vet – the sooner, the better.

What is an ulcer?

An ulcer is an open, deep wound: The superficial tissue layers are removed or destroyed, and underlying tissue is exposed. Unlike an ordinary abrasion, a sore hardly heals on its own. It can be caused by diseases, infections or injuries – and depending on where it is located, the clinical picture looks very different.

Gastric ulcer (stomach ulcer)

In a gastric ulcer, the protective mucous membrane of the stomach has a defect – stomach acid attacks the exposed tissue and leaves an open wound that can enlarge without treatment. In most cases, either an underlying disease or prolonged medication therapy is the cause.

Causes of a gastric ulcer

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – including carprofen, meloxicam and aspirin – are widely used in dogs for pain therapy. However, they can attack the stomach lining and promote ulcer formation. Prolonged stress is also not a harmless factor: It can stimulate stomach acid production and put pressure on the mucous membrane.

Chronic diseases such as kidney failure, liver disease or certain tumours – for example mast cell tumours that release excess histamine – significantly increase the risk of stomach ulcers. And yes, the bacterium Helicobacter pylori also occurs in dogs and can contribute to ulcer formation.

Symptoms of a gastric ulcer

• Vomiting, sometimes with blood (haematemesis)
• Black, tarry faeces – a clear indication of bleeding in the digestive tract
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Anaemia as a result of chronic bleeding
• Pain in the abdominal area
• Lethargy and weakness

Diagnosis and treatment of a gastric ulcer

For diagnosis, the vet usually combines blood tests, faecal samples (for occult blood in the faeces) and imaging techniques – ultrasound or endoscopy. The latter is particularly informative: It allows a direct view of the stomach lining and the taking of biopsies for histological examination.

The treatment essentially revolves around protecting the mucous membrane and dampening acid production. Typical measures include:

• Proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole) to reduce stomach acid
• H2 receptor blockers (e.g., famotidine), which also curb acid production
• Antacids for symptom relief
• Immediate discontinuation of NSAIDs if these are the cause
• Bland diet – easily digestible diets that do not additionally burden the stomach

Corneal ulcer (eye ulcer)

A corneal ulcer is located on the cornea – the glass-clear layer at the front of the eye. Such ulcers often arise from injuries, infections, or drying out of the ocular surface. They are extremely painful; affected dogs usually show this unmistakably.

Causes of a corneal ulcer

Mechanical injuries often come first: a scratch, a foreign body such as dust or grass, a fight, or other external influences can damage the sensitive corneal surface. Bacterial or viral infections – for example, by canine herpesvirus – are also possible triggers.

Dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) occur when tear production is insufficient. The cornea dries out, becomes irritated, and can develop ulcers. Breeds with protruding eyes such as Pugs or French Bulldogs are particularly at risk – their anatomy simply makes them more susceptible to corneal injuries.

Symptoms of a corneal ulcer

• Blinking or squinting of the affected eye (blepharospasm)
• Constant rubbing of the eye with the paw or on the ground
• Redness and swelling
• Tearing
• Clouding or a white spot on the cornea
• In severe cases: pus discharge from the eye

Diagnosis and treatment of a corneal ulcer

For diagnosis, the vet uses fluorescein staining: A special dye is applied to the eye and makes the ulcer visible – simple, but very accurate. Additionally, an eye pressure test may be useful to rule out a concomitant glaucoma.

Treatment depends on the severity:

• Antibiotic eye drops or ointments to prevent or combat an infection
• Painkillers or pupil-dilating eye drops for pain relief
• In the case of deep or worsening ulcers, surgical intervention may be necessary – such as a corneal transplant or coverage of the cornea with connective tissue

Skin ulcer

Skin ulcers in dogs are deep wounds or ulcers that often result from trauma, chronic pressure points, infections, or systemic diseases. They do not heal on their own and can spread rapidly without treatment.

Causes of a skin ulcer

Bite wounds, accidents, or persistent pressure on certain body areas – for example in dogs that lie down a lot – can trigger skin ulcers. Bacterial or fungal infections by pathogens such as Staphylococci or Malassezia attack the skin and sometimes leave deep defects.

Autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus or pemphigus can damage the skin from the inside out and also cause ulcers. Some types of skin cancer – above all squamous cell carcinomas – also appear as non-healing ulcers.

Symptoms of a skin ulcer

• Open, non-healing wounds
• Swelling and redness around the affected area
• Pus discharge or foul-smelling discharge
• Pain on touch
• Occasionally hair loss in the area of the ulcer

Diagnosis and treatment of a skin ulcer

The vet clinically examines the affected skin area and, if necessary, takes tissue samples for a biopsy or a microbiological culture to get to the bottom of the actual cause.

Treatment is based on the findings:

• Cleaning and disinfection of the wound as the basis of any therapy
• Antibiotics or antifungals, once an infection has been confirmed
• In more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove dead tissue and enable healing