What are Stomach and Intestinal Ulcers?
The condition is often called gastroduodenal disease and the ulcers that are symptomatic of this condition are called gastroduodenal ulcers. While there are numerous possible causes, these sores are most commonly caused by a bacterial infection within the gastric system of the cat and can result in abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and bleeding within the digestive tract and consequently in the feces. Pain is often worst when the stomach is empty or after consumption of fatty or spicy foods. Both the ulcers and the underlying cause will need to be treated under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Stomach and intestinal ulcers, also referred to as gastric ulcers, are open sores that develop on the mucous membranes that line the stomach and small intestines. These sores are then exposed to the stomach acid, which can be painful.
Symptoms of Stomach and Intestinal Ulcers in Cats
Some cats suffering with stomach and intestinal ulcers will not present with any visible symptoms, which makes it nearly impossible for a pet owner to realize that the cat is experiencing nearly constant discomfort. Many cats with this condition, however, will experience the following symptoms:
- Chronic vomiting, sometimes with blood in the vomit
- Very dark red or black stool, which indicates blood in the digestive tract
- Pale gums, which results from anemia, or low levels of red blood cells
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Borborygmus, which is internal gas noise, often called gurgles
- Abdominal discomfort
- Diarrhea, often bloody
Causes of Stomach and Intestinal Ulcers in Cats
There are several possible causes of gastric ulcers in cats but the most common are the following:
- Bacterial infection of the digestive tract, usually by one of the many variations of bacteria called heliobacter, which studies have shown is exceedingly common in the gastrointestinal system of cats.
- Sustained use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Stress caused by surgery, injury, or shock
- Various intestinal parasites
- Underlying diseases such as renal, or kidney, failure, hypovolemia, which is low blood plasma, inflammatory bowel disease, or cancer
Diagnosis of Stomach and Intestinal Ulcers in Cats
If you have observed any of the symptoms listed above, it is important that you contact your veterinarian immediately as stomach and intestinal ulcers can be very painful for your cat and can sometimes result in life-threatening internal bleeding. In order to make a diagnosis of gastric ulcers your vet will likely employ the following diagnostic tools:
- Ask you questions about the symptoms you have observed and how long it has been since these symptoms began.
- Ask you about your cat’s diet.
- Take a fecal sample to test for blood.
- Test blood for anemia.
- You may be required to return after a period during which your cat has not ingested water or food for a prescribed length of time
- Perform abdominal ultrasound to locate possible ulcers.
- Perform abdominal x-ray to locate possible ulcers
- Perform endoscopy to locate possible ulcers. An endoscopy consists of using a flexible tube called an endoscope that has a small video camera on the end. It can be inserted through the mouth to examine the stomach or through the rectum to examine the intestines. Your cat will be under anesthesia during this procedure.
- Biopsy of gastric or intestinal tissue or of any tumors found in the stomach or intestines.
Treatment of Stomach and Intestinal Ulcers in Cats
While stomach and intestinal ulcers are not exceedingly common in cats, it is not uncommon that those cats that are diagnosed with the condition are not diagnosed until they are in critical condition as a result of prolonged gastrointestinal hemorrhage, or bleeding. It is imperative that treatment begin immediately upon the diagnosis of gastric ulcers. Treatment of these ulcers requires treatment of the ulcers themselves and, even more important, the treatment of the underlying cause of the ulcers. Possible treatments include the following:
- Intravenous liquids for hydration
- Antibiotics to fight bacterial infection
- Antacid medications
- Bland diet
- Cessation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Rest and isolation for animal recovering from traumatic experience or surgery
- Anti-parasitic medications if necessary
Recovery of Stomach and Intestinal Ulcers in Cats
Depending upon how critical your cat’s condition was at the time of diagnosis, your cat may need to stay at the veterinary hospital overnight or for several days for hydration, observation, and treatment. Your cat’s prognosis is dependent upon the underlying cause of the ulcers. The prognosis is usually not very good for cats that have developed ulcers due to cancer or kidney failure. However, cats that have developed ulcers because of bacterial infections, gastrointestinal parasites, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs usually have a positive prognosis after six to eight weeks of treatment. Your veterinarian may perform periodic endoscopies to measure your cat’s progress.
Stomach and Intestinal Ulcers Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Has Symptoms
My cat is sometimes lethargic, has slight bloating, bloody stool and is eating less than normal. She’s still playing and eating a little but something isn’t right. I’ve wormed her recently (2 weeks ago) and I wonder if that has caused an internal issue?
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My cat stopped eating and had black diarrhea with blood. I took him to an emergency vet and he needed a blood transfusion. They suspect he has irritable bowel disease and ulcers causing the bleeding. After two days in hospital he was eating and his blood count was stable. Then overnight his blood count dropped and he was very sick again. He was given another blood transfusion but unfortunately his blood level remained low as it was possible he had another internal bleeding episode. The vets say he needs an endoscopy and biopsy and surgery as he is not getting better and very possible he will bleed again. No one is certain what is causing the bleeding. I would appreciate your thoughts and any advice for my cat.
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Cat was taking 2ml itrafungol oral solutionot for a 5 week period Treatment daily on weeks 1, 3 and 5. Left untreated on weeks 2 and 4. Cat began vomiting after treatment in the middle of week 5. Treatment was stopped. One week has passed and cat is dehydrated does not eat drinks very little water and typically vomits after eating or drinking.
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Hi my cat Shadow was outside today and came in very lethargic and vomited a dark substance on the floor. He went poop shortly after but it look like it had blood. He keeps making little noises. His pulse seems to be the same but he keeps getting up walking a short distance then laying down. Also I feel a feel a mass in his abdomen. But he seems responsive, he picks his head up when he hears sounds. Also his guns are white.
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My cat, Lucy (11 years old), has lost nearly 8 pounds in the past year and feels like she’s on the brink of death. She won’t eat regular food (dry or canned) like she used to, and she throws up 1-4 times a day. Her stool is black and tarry, and she is very lethargic. I’ve taken her to the vet five times, one resulting in her staying over the weekend, but even the vet doesn’t know what’s wrong with her. Her vet has done multiple blood tests, barium tests, X-rays, and other things, including a prescription diet (which she ate for two days and then turned her nose up at it). I feel so helpless. She only eats baby food (meats only, 2nd stage) and I’ve found that she doesn’t throw up if she’s fed at least a spoonful every 3 hours. She’s only about 6 pounds now, and it kills me to see her in this condition and to feel so helpless.
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Hi. has Lucy been tested for food or other types of allergies? I recently had my 12 year old tested and found he was allergic to many ingredients in cat food such as rice, corn, soy, peas and white potato. I changed his food to Weruva and selected the flavors that don't contain anything he is allergic to. Before he had the allergy test, I tried various 'grain free' foods that he wouldn't eat and after the getting results I found they still contained ingredients he was allergic to. He also likes Instinct dry food. The allergy test results take a couple of weeks so in the meantime try Weruva Mack & Jack or Chicken of the Sea chunk light tuna in water (not the solid white - it's too dry). I hope this helps and your kitty gets better!
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