Chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa with regression in dogs (Chronic atrophic gastritis)
- Occurrence: common
- Location of disease: Abdomen/pelvis
When to visit the vet?
Non-urgent see a veterinarian within 2–3 days
If the condition worsens / symptoms persist, consult a veterinarian.
The most important facts at a glance
Chronic atrophic gastritis in dogs is a long-lasting inflammation of the gastric mucosa that leads to its regression. This mucosa protects the stomach and produces important digestive substances. Causes of the inflammatory conditions can include infections, autoimmune reactions, or certain medications. A common cause is an infection with Helicobacter bacteria. Parasites or autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system attacks the body’s own cells, can also play a role. Symptoms include Vomiting, Abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and Weight loss. Diagnosis is made through a clinical examination, blood tests, imaging such as ultrasound, and endoscopy, during which tissue samples are taken.
Treatment aims to reduce Inflammatory conditions and relieve symptoms. A dietary change to easily digestible food is recommended. Medications can reduce gastric acid production and protect the mucosa. Antibiotics are used for bacterial infections, while immunosuppressants may be required for autoimmune causes. The prognosis depends on the cause and severity, but with timely diagnosis and treatment, many dogs can have a good quality of life. A complete cure is not always possible, and lifelong treatment may be necessary.
Preventive measures are difficult, but a balanced diet and regular veterinary check-ups can help reduce the risk. Avoiding known triggers and monitoring risk factors such as bacterial infections are also important to minimize the occurrence of the disease.
Causes
The stomach of dogs is lined with a mucous membrane that forms a protective layer and enables the production of gastric acid and digestive enzymes. This mucosa consists of cells that are kept intact by constant cell renewal and a protective layer of mucus.
Chronic atrophic gastritis develops when the mucosa remains inflamed for an extended period. The inflammatory conditions can be triggered by various factors, including infections, autoimmune reactions, chronic irritation, or the use of certain medications. With persistent irritation or inflammatory conditions, the mucosa begins to recede, which is known as atrophy.
One of the most common causes of chronic gastritis in dogs is a bacterial infection with Helicobacter spp. These bacteria can colonize the gastric mucosa and trigger an inflammatory response. Parasitic infections, such as roundworms, can also play a role.
Autoimmune diseases, where the dog’s immune system attacks its own cells, can also be a cause. In such diseases, the gastric mucosa is recognized as foreign and attacked, leading to inflammatory conditions and atrophy.
Symptoms
The symptoms of chronic atrophic gastritis in dogs can be varied and differ depending on severity. The most common symptoms include Vomiting, Weight loss, loss of appetite, and occasionally Diarrhea. However, these symptoms are non-specific and can also occur with other diseases of the digestive tract.
A dog with chronic atrophic gastritis may also occasionally show signs of Abdominal pain, such as Restlessness, frequent lying down and getting up, or a changed posture to relieve pressure on the abdomen. In severe cases, inadequate nutrient absorption can occur, which can lead to anemia or other deficiency symptoms.
Therapy
The therapy for chronic atrophic gastritis in dogs aims to reduce inflammatory conditions, alleviate symptoms, and combat the underlying causes. Dietary changes can help relieve the stomach. Easily digestible foods that are low in fat and fiber are recommended.
Medications can be used to reduce gastric acid production and protect the mucosa. H2 receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors are commonly used medications to reduce gastric acid production.
If a bacterial infection such as Helicobacter spp. is present, targeted antibiotic therapy may be necessary. If the cause is autoimmune, immunosuppressants may be required to suppress the immune response.
Prognosis and follow-up care
The prognosis for dogs with chronic atrophic gastritis depends on the etiology and severity of the disease. With timely diagnosis and appropriate therapy, many dogs can maintain a good quality of life and keep their symptoms under control.
In cases where the etiology of gastritis cannot be fully resolved, the disease may become chronic and require lifelong monitoring and therapy. However, early intervention significantly improves the prognosis.
Prevention
The prevention of chronic atrophic gastritis in dogs can be difficult, as the exact etiologies are diverse. However, a balanced diet and regular veterinary check-ups can help reduce the risk of chronic gastritis.
Avoiding known triggers, such as certain medications or stress factors, can also be helpful. In dogs with a known risk of bacterial infections, regular monitoring and, if necessary, early treatment of infections can reduce the risk of gastritis.
Outlook on current research
Research into chronic Vomiting in dogs is shifting from isolated organ findings toward systemic explanations. The focus is on three axes: microbiome – bile acids – motility. Metagenomics and metabolomics are intended to clarify how dysbiosis and altered bile acid pools contribute to mucosal irritation, Nausea, and motility-related fasting vomiting. At the same time, neurogastroenterology is advancing: sensory pathways, central vomiting centers, and peripheral mediators (e.g., serotonin, ghrelin, motilin) are being investigated as therapeutic targets. Imaging is evolving into functional diagnosis: high-resolution ultrasound kinematics, gastric emptying tests, and—in individual cases—capsule endoscopy provide dynamic parameters rather than morphology alone. Biomarker panels (Inflammatory conditions, permeability, epithelial regeneration) are intended to make invasive biopsies less often necessary and to indicate therapy response early. In therapy, studies link precision-medicine diets (hydrolyzed, reduced-fat, adjusted fiber/bile acid binders) with individually titrated prokinetics and antiemesis; probiotic consortia are selected rationally rather than “shotgun.” Digital symptom diaries and AI-based pattern recognition could reliably distinguish between Vomiting, regurgitation, and Cough and identify flare triggers. Finally, One Health perspectives are gaining weight: environmental factors, feed supply chains, and mycotoxin-associated inflammatory conditions are being addressed interdisciplinarily. The goal is an algorithm that predicts etiology, severity, and the optimal interventional approach early and gently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What counts as “chronic” Vomiting?
2. Common causes?
3. When to see the vet immediately?
4. What tests are typical?
5. Does a dietary change help?
6. What is “fasting vomiting”?
7. Do medications make sense?
8. Role of the microbiome?
9. Prognosis?
10. What can I do at home?
Literature
- de Mattos, A. T. M., Freres Mascarenhas, N. M., Camargo de Mattos, M. I., Grano Bordini, C. G., & Saragosa, T. S. (2018). Atrophic gastritis in a Shih-Tzu dog: Case report. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 39(6), 2889–2896. https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2018v39n6p2889
- An, S. J., Eom, N. Y., Lee, H. C., Sur, J. H., Park, C., So, K. M., & Jung, D. I. (2016). Atrophic gastritis concurrent with Helicobacter infection in two dogs. Journal of Veterinary Clinics, 33(5), 286–289. https://doi.org/10.17555/jvc.2016.10.33.5.286
- Amorim, I., Taulescu, M. A., Day, M. J., Catoi, C., Reis, C. A., Carneiro, F., & Gärtner, F. (2016). Canine gastric pathology: A review. Journal of Comparative Pathology, 154(1), 9–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcpa.2015.10.181
- Spużak, J., Jankowski, M., Kubiak, K., Glińska-Suchocka, K., & Ciaputa, R. (2020). A modified Sydney system for the diagnosis of chronic gastritis in dogs. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 62, Article 44. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-020-00542-2
- Lidbury, J. A., Suchodolski, J. S., & Steiner, J. M. (2009). Gastric histopathological abnormalities in dogs: 67 cases (2002–2007). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 234(9), 1147–1153. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.234.9.1147
- Cândido, M. V., Syrjä, P., Hanifeh, M., Lepajõe, J., Salla, K., Kilpinen, S., Noble, P.-J. M., & Spillmann, T. (2021). Gastric mucosal pathology in Belgian Shepherd dogs with and without clinical signs of gastric disease. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 63, Article 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-021-00570-6
- Amorim, I., Smet, A., Alves, O., Teixeira, S., Saraiva, A. L., Taulescu, M., Reis, C. A., Haesebrouck, F., & Gärtner, F. (2015). Presence and significance of Helicobacter spp. in the gastric mucosa of Portuguese dogs. Gut Pathogens, 7, Article 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13099-015-0057-1
- Ali Shabestari, A. S., Jamshidi, S., Mohammadi, M., Sasani, F., Bahadori, A., & Oghalaie, A. (2008). Assessment of chronic gastritis in pet dogs and its relation with Helicobacter-like organisms. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 11(11), 1443–1448. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2008.1443.1448
- de Mattos, A. T. M., Freres Mascarenhas, N. M., Camargo de Mattos, M. I., Grano Bordini, C. G., & Saragosa, T. S. (2018). Atrophic gastritis in a Shih-Tzu dog: Case report. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 39(6), 2889–2896. https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2018v39n6p2889
- An, S. J., Eom, N. Y., Lee, H. C., Sur, J. H., Park, C., So, K. M., & Jung, D. I. (2016). Atrophic gastritis concurrent with Helicobacter infection in two dogs. Journal of Veterinary Clinics, 33(5), 286–289. https://doi.org/10.17555/jvc.2016.10.33.5.286
- Amorim, I., Taulescu, M. A., Day, M. J., Catoi, C., Reis, C. A., Carneiro, F., & Gärtner, F. (2016). Canine gastric pathology: A review. Journal of Comparative Pathology, 154(1), 9–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcpa.2015.10.181
- Spużak, J., Jankowski, M., Kubiak, K., Glińska-Suchocka, K., & Ciaputa, R. (2020). A modified Sydney system for the diagnosis of chronic gastritis in dogs. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 62, Article 44. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-020-00542-2
- Lidbury, J. A., Suchodolski, J. S., & Steiner, J. M. (2009). Gastric histopathological abnormalities in dogs: 67 cases (2002–2007). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 234(9), 1147–1153. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.234.9.1147
- Cândido, M. V., Syrjä, P., Hanifeh, M., Lepajõe, J., Salla, K., Kilpinen, S., Noble, P.-J. M., & Spillmann, T. (2021). Gastric mucosal pathology in Belgian Shepherd dogs with and without clinical signs of gastric disease. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 63, Article 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-021-00570-6
- Amorim, I., Smet, A., Alves, O., Teixeira, S., Saraiva, A. L., Taulescu, M., Reis, C. A., Haesebrouck, F., & Gärtner, F. (2015). Presence and significance of Helicobacter spp. in the gastric mucosa of Portuguese dogs. Gut Pathogens, 7, Article 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13099-015-0057-1
- Ali Shabestari, A. S., Jamshidi, S., Mohammadi, M., Sasani, F., Bahadori, A., & Oghalaie, A. (2008). Assessment of chronic gastritis in pet dogs and its relation with Helicobacter-like organisms. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 11(11), 1443–1448. https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2008.1443.1448