How to Diagnose Ulcers Caused by Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs
Observe vomiting., Look for black feces., Detect abdominal pain., Notice a decreased appetite., Watch for increased salivation., Have your vet examine your dog., Ask your vet questions., Allow your vet to perform blood work., Let your vet visualize...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Observe vomiting.
Vomiting is a common sign of GI ulcers in dogs with MCTs.
Sometimes, there is blood in the vomit.
The blood may either be fresh (bright red) or digested (dark ‘’coffee grounds’’ appearance).An ulcer erodes the lining of an organ, causing irritation and bleeding. -
Step 2: Look for black feces.
If your dog has a GI ulcer caused by an MCT, its feces may look black.
This black color is due to digested blood in the feces, caused by hemorrhage (excessive bleeding) in the GI tract.
These black feces, called melena, will also have a tar-like consistency.Dogs with GI ulcers from MCTs can also develop diarrhea., GI ulcers can cause abdominal pain.If your dog has abdominal pain from the ulcer, it may stretch out its body into a ‘praying’ position to relieve the pain.The ‘praying’ position is when a dog holds its head close to the floor and raises its hind end in the air.Your dog may not want you to touch its belly because it hurts too much. , With a GI ulcer from an MCT, your dog will not feel like eating much, if at all.
With your dog eating less, or not eating at all, it will lose start losing weight., Sometimes, excessive drooling can indicate a GI ulcer in a dog with an MCT.Observe your dog to see if it is drooling more than usual. , If you suspect a GI ulcer in your dog, take your dog to your vet for further examination.
Your vet will be able to detect a sensitive and painful abdomen.
They may also see pale gums if the ulcer has caused a lot of GI tract bleeding.
However, the physical exam likely won’t provide specific clues indicating a GI ulcer.During the physical exam, give your vet a detailed history of the symptoms you’ve seen at home, including when you first noticed them and how long they’ve been going on. , Asking questions will help you understand what is going on with your dog and what to expect next.
Below are some questions you can ask:
How will the ulcer be treated? How long will ulcer treatment last? How will I know the ulcer is gone? Will the ulcer come back after the end of treatment? , A blood sample will help your vet look for indications of a GI ulcer.
Below are blood work results suggesting an ulcer:
Low red blood cell count, indicating anemia High white blood cell counts, indicating inflammation Low protein levels , A physical exam, history of the problem, and blood work will give your vet important clues suggesting an ulcer.
However, the only way to definitively an ulcer is by visualizing it.
To do this, your vet will perform either abdominal surgery or an endoscopy.Because abdominal surgery is expensive, invasive, and can have serious complications, your vet will likely recommend an endoscopy.
To perform an endoscopy, your vet will anesthetize your dog and insert a thin endoscopy tube either down your dog’s throat or up through the large intestine.
The tube has a camera at the end. , After diagnosing the ulcer, your vet will make treatment recommendations for treating the ulcer.
The sooner you decide on a treatment plan, the sooner your dog can start feeling better.
When treating a GI ulcer, no matter the cause, it is important to treat the underlying cause.Since your dog has an MCT, treating the cancer will also help treat the ulcer. , Medications to treat GI ulcers focus on reducing stomach acid secretion and protecting the GI lining from further ulceration.
With less stomach acid being released, the lining of the stomach and small intestine can heal.
Examples of medications are omeprazole and sucralfate.Ulcer medications are oral.
If your dog doesn't like taking pills, try hiding them in a tasty treat.
Follow your vet's prescription instructions carefully. , Sometimes, GI ulcers do not respond well to medication.
If your dog is continuing to have GI ulcer symptoms despite treatment, contact your vet.
They may recommend surgery to remove the ulcer. -
Step 3: Detect abdominal pain.
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Step 4: Notice a decreased appetite.
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Step 5: Watch for increased salivation.
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Step 6: Have your vet examine your dog.
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Step 7: Ask your vet questions.
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Step 8: Allow your vet to perform blood work.
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Step 9: Let your vet visualize the ulcer.
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Step 10: Create a treatment plan with your vet.
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Step 11: Treat the ulcer with medication.
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Step 12: Consider surgery to treat the ulcer.
Detailed Guide
Vomiting is a common sign of GI ulcers in dogs with MCTs.
Sometimes, there is blood in the vomit.
The blood may either be fresh (bright red) or digested (dark ‘’coffee grounds’’ appearance).An ulcer erodes the lining of an organ, causing irritation and bleeding.
If your dog has a GI ulcer caused by an MCT, its feces may look black.
This black color is due to digested blood in the feces, caused by hemorrhage (excessive bleeding) in the GI tract.
These black feces, called melena, will also have a tar-like consistency.Dogs with GI ulcers from MCTs can also develop diarrhea., GI ulcers can cause abdominal pain.If your dog has abdominal pain from the ulcer, it may stretch out its body into a ‘praying’ position to relieve the pain.The ‘praying’ position is when a dog holds its head close to the floor and raises its hind end in the air.Your dog may not want you to touch its belly because it hurts too much. , With a GI ulcer from an MCT, your dog will not feel like eating much, if at all.
With your dog eating less, or not eating at all, it will lose start losing weight., Sometimes, excessive drooling can indicate a GI ulcer in a dog with an MCT.Observe your dog to see if it is drooling more than usual. , If you suspect a GI ulcer in your dog, take your dog to your vet for further examination.
Your vet will be able to detect a sensitive and painful abdomen.
They may also see pale gums if the ulcer has caused a lot of GI tract bleeding.
However, the physical exam likely won’t provide specific clues indicating a GI ulcer.During the physical exam, give your vet a detailed history of the symptoms you’ve seen at home, including when you first noticed them and how long they’ve been going on. , Asking questions will help you understand what is going on with your dog and what to expect next.
Below are some questions you can ask:
How will the ulcer be treated? How long will ulcer treatment last? How will I know the ulcer is gone? Will the ulcer come back after the end of treatment? , A blood sample will help your vet look for indications of a GI ulcer.
Below are blood work results suggesting an ulcer:
Low red blood cell count, indicating anemia High white blood cell counts, indicating inflammation Low protein levels , A physical exam, history of the problem, and blood work will give your vet important clues suggesting an ulcer.
However, the only way to definitively an ulcer is by visualizing it.
To do this, your vet will perform either abdominal surgery or an endoscopy.Because abdominal surgery is expensive, invasive, and can have serious complications, your vet will likely recommend an endoscopy.
To perform an endoscopy, your vet will anesthetize your dog and insert a thin endoscopy tube either down your dog’s throat or up through the large intestine.
The tube has a camera at the end. , After diagnosing the ulcer, your vet will make treatment recommendations for treating the ulcer.
The sooner you decide on a treatment plan, the sooner your dog can start feeling better.
When treating a GI ulcer, no matter the cause, it is important to treat the underlying cause.Since your dog has an MCT, treating the cancer will also help treat the ulcer. , Medications to treat GI ulcers focus on reducing stomach acid secretion and protecting the GI lining from further ulceration.
With less stomach acid being released, the lining of the stomach and small intestine can heal.
Examples of medications are omeprazole and sucralfate.Ulcer medications are oral.
If your dog doesn't like taking pills, try hiding them in a tasty treat.
Follow your vet's prescription instructions carefully. , Sometimes, GI ulcers do not respond well to medication.
If your dog is continuing to have GI ulcer symptoms despite treatment, contact your vet.
They may recommend surgery to remove the ulcer.
About the Author
Deborah Garcia
Enthusiastic about teaching organization techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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