Introduction

• Cause: inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Acute or chronic.
• Signs: anorexia, vomiting, regurgitation, hypersalivation, tooth grinding, weight loss, melena (if gastric ulceration present).
• Diagnosis: clinical presentation, radiographs, contrast radiographs, gastroscopy, gastric lavage, biopsy, PCR, fecal parasitology, post-mortem findings.
• Treatment: supportive care with fluid therapy, analgesia, nutritional support. Gastric protectants, antacids. Targeted treatment of the inciting cause.
• Prognosis: good to guarded depending on the etiology.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Multiple possible etiologies for acute and chronic gastritis.
• Gastric ulceration.
• Bacterial infection, eg salmonellosis in snakes.
• Cryptosporidium serpentis in snakes Snake parasitology overview.
• Neoplasia, eg lymphoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma Gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma / carcinoma in Bearded dragons Bearded dragons.
• Thermal burns from feeding hot food items, eg prey defrosted in microwave for snakes.
• Poor husbandry Chelonia husbandry Lizard husbandry Snake husbandry.
• Chronic stress may be associated with gastric ulceration Gastric ulceration.
• Effects of drugs, eg corticosteroids, NSAIDs.

Predisposing factors

General

• Poor husbandry.
• Stress.
• Immunosuppression.
• Poor housing hygiene.

Specific

• Use of corticosteroids or NSAIDs may lead to gastric ulceration.

Pathophysiology

• Inflammation of the gastric mucosa.

Timecourse

• Acute or chronic presentation.

Epidemiology

• May see outbreaks of disease in groups, eg parasitic infections.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Outcomes