The aim of the study was to identify the risk factors causing gastric ulcer formation in dogs and determining the prevalence of their occurrence. The study group consisted of 49 dogs of different breeds and genders, between 1-16 years of age. All the dogs were found to have gastric ulcers during an endoscopic examination. The differentiation of peptic ulcers from gastric neoplastic ulcers was based on a histopathological examination, whereas Helicobacter sp. was detected through PCR-assays. Peptic ulcers were diagnosed in 40 dogs and gastric neoplasia was identified in 9 dogs. 46 dogs tested positive for Helicobacter sp. The study confirmed a multifactorial cause of gastric ulcers, where the greatest risk factor of peptic ulcers in dogs was the usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, whereas adenocarcinoma was the greatest risk factor of gastric ulcers of neoplastic origin.

Key words: Adenocarcinoma, Dog, Helicobacter, NSAIDs, Risk factors, Ulcus