Gastric Ulceration

Gastric ulceration describes erosions or breaks in the protective lining of the stomach, exposing the tissue beneath to digestive acid. These lesions can range from superficial damage to deeper wounds that may bleed or, in some cases, perforate the stomach wall. Owners often arrive at this page because their dog or cat has been vomiting, sometimes with fresh blood or dark, digested blood that resembles coffee grounds. Other times the concern is less specific—reduced appetite, signs of nausea, weight loss, or dark tarry stools that suggest bleeding higher in the digestive tract. In some animals, ulceration is discovered incidentally during investigation of another condition, without obvious signs at home. This page explores the patterns that may raise suspicion, the mechanisms that allow ulcers to form, the ways they are identified through examination and imaging, and the range of approaches used to support healing and manage underlying causes.