Atrophic gastritis is a process of chronic inflammation of the stomach mucosa, leading to loss of gastric glandular cells and their eventual replacement by intestinal and fibrous tissues. As a result, the stomach's secretion of essential substances (hydrochloric acid, pepsin) and intrinsic factor is impaired, leading to digestive problems and megaloblastic anemia.
In other words, atrophic gastritis is a condition in which the mucous lining of the stomach is inflamed and the tissue begins to be destroyed. When the gastric tissue is destroyed, it is replaced by fibrous and intestinal tissue, which then limits the stomach's secretion of substances such as pepsin and hydrochloric acid. This creates digestive problems in the body.
While the condition remains rare and sporadic in most dog breeds, the Norwegian Lundehund dog breed has shown a high prevalence of atrophic gastritis.
Common symptoms associated with this disorder include
Occasional vomiting
Anorexia
Weight loss
Sluggishness
Pica (compulsive eating of non-food items)
