Gastrointestinal ulceration in calves presented to a central Iowa veterinary referral facility: An underappreciated morbidity?

Abstract

Summary and ImplicationsThe objective of this retrospective investigation is to identify the incidence of gastrointestinal ulceration as a co-morbidity in calves presenting to a referral veterinary hospital. Approximately 24% of calves presented to the hospital that died or were euthanized had evidence of gastrointestinal ulceration. Previous administration of an NSAID was significantly associated with the presence of ulcers, whereas antibiotic administration, age at presentation, gender, or breed were not. Clinicians and producers should consider the risk of ulceration in calves treated with NSAIDs, in light of antiulcer therapies.