Surgical repair of steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-associated full-thickness gastrointestinal ulcers in 10 cats.

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aimed to describe the clinical presentation, surgical management, complications and outcomes of cats with gastrointestinal (GI) ulcer perforation associated with recent administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids or both.MethodsA retrospective review of medical records from five UK referral hospitals was conducted between 2009 and 2024. Cats were included if they underwent surgical correction of GI ulceration within 14 days of NSAID and/or corticosteroid administration.ResultsA total of 10 cats met the inclusion criteria. The proximal duodenum was the most common site of perforation (n = 6/10), followed by the gastric body (n = 2/10). Surgical techniques varied and included primary repair (n = 5/10), Y-U pyloroplasty (n = 2/10), enterectomy (n = 2/10) and partial gastrectomy (n = 1/10). All cats survived the immediate postoperative period; however, one cat did not survive to discharge (median hospitalisation time 6 days [range 3-15]). Short-term complications were noted in three cats: one death (sepsis 9 days postoperatively) and three mild complications, with two of these complications occurring in the same cat. Long-term complications were noted in one cat (severe ulcerative duodenopathy and euthanased 16 days postoperatively). Long-term follow-up (median 928 days [range 9-1215]) revealed that 5/10 cats remained alive at study completion. Two deaths (n = 2/10) were attributed to GI ulcer-related complications.Conclusions and relevanceGI perforation secondary to recent NSAID or corticosteroid administration in cats carries a favourable prognosis after surgical correction. Despite the high-risk nature of GI perforation, the majority of cats survived to discharge.