Ulcer

An ulcer is an open sore where skin or a mucous membrane has broken down, most often meaning a peptic ulcer in the stomach or duodenum lining.

Peptic ulcers form when the protective mucus layer is overwhelmed by stomach acid, usually because of infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria or regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin. Typical features are a burning or gnawing pain in the upper abdomen that may change with meals, bloating, nausea and, when the ulcer bleeds, black stools or vomiting of blood, which requires urgent care. Ulcers also occur in the mouth as aphthous ulcers, on the legs from poor circulation, and on pressure points in people who are immobile.

Peptic ulcers are assessed by history, testing for H. pylori through breath, stool or blood tests, and endoscopy, which allows the lining to be viewed directly and biopsied. In dogs and cats, stomach ulcers are most often linked to anti-inflammatory drugs and are evaluated by a veterinarian. Cannabinoid receptors are present in the gut lining, and cannabinoids have been studied in animal models of gastric injury; human evidence is not established.