Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Risk of severe stomach ulcers in dogs on certain NSAIDs or steroids
By Hillier, Townes N et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2025·School of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Dogs receiving cyclooxygenase-2-sparing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or nonphysiologic steroids are at risk of severe gastrointestinal ulceration.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 33 dogs developed serious stomach ulcers after being treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or steroids. The most common NSAID involved was carprofen, and dogs taking two NSAIDs at the same time were at an even higher risk, with all of them suffering from severe perforations. Symptoms of gastrointestinal ulceration can include vomiting, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. It's important for pet owners to monitor their dogs closely if they are on these medications, as even those on recommended doses of COX-2-sparing NSAIDs can develop ulcers.
People also search for: dog stomach ulcers treatment · carprofen side effects in dogs · NSAID risks for dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report the incidence and characteristics of gastrointestinal ulceration lesions in dogs receiving an NSAID and/or corticosteroid. ANIMALS: 33 dogs. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Medical records of dogs with gastrointestinal ulceration receiving NSAIDs and/or corticosteroids within 30 days of diagnosis between January 2012 and July 2022 at multiple referral institutions were reviewed. Diagnosis was confirmed via endoscopy, surgery, or necropsy. Clinical data were collected from the medical record, including the dose and reason for administration of NSAIDs or steroids. RESULTS: Dogs received a single NSAID (n = 22, most commonly carprofen [9], meloxicam [4], and deracoxib [3]), 2 NSAIDs (5), a single steroid (5: prednisolone [2], prednisone [2], or dexamethasone SP [1]), or an NSAID and steroid (1). Eleven dogs receiving a single cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-sparing NSAID at an appropriate dose had ulcerations. All dogs receiving 2 NSAIDs concurrently experienced full-thickness perforation (5 of 5). The most common ulcer locations were duodenum (n = 18) and pylorus (11). Abdominal ultrasound correctly identified the site of ulceration in 5 of 24 dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dogs receiving COX-2 sparing NSAIDs at recommended doses are at risk of severe GI ulceration. Carprofen was the most common NSAID resulting in ulceration; however, it is one of the most prescribed NSAIDs. Adding another NSAID and steroid could increase this risk. Careful monitoring is crucial for dogs on NSAIDs, regardless of duration.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39426398/