Update (June 19, 2026): 265-Vet Survey Confirms Continued Omeprazole Overprescription in Dogs Despite Evidence-Based Guidelines

TL;DR. A 265-vet survey in Spain (2026) confirms PPIs are the most prescribed gastroprotectant (50.6% of vets) and documents continued injudicious use alongside some evidence-based practice, with more-experienced clinicians and those in some specialties showing better adherence to guidelines.

What just dropped

• Olmeda et al. 2026 (Vet Sci, open access; PMID 41600717) conducted a 265-veterinarian online snowball survey in Spain assessing real-world gastroprotectant prescribing in dogs. (https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC12846710)
• PPIs were the most commonly prescribed gastroprotectant (50.6% of participants).
• While most main indications used by respondents were supported by scientific evidence, injudicious administration for disorders lacking robust evidence or recommendations was well documented.
• Veterinarians with fewer years of clinical experience and those working in internal medicine, emergency, and anaesthesia were more likely to adhere to evidence-based guidelines.
• Those who prescribed gastroprotectants less frequently tended to rely on PPIs and on international consensus guidelines.

Context

This survey complements the earlier Sainz et al. 2024 before-and-after study showing that an ACVIM consensus statement improved omeprazole prescribing in an academic hospital. The Olmeda 2026 survey captures prescribing patterns in primary practice more broadly and shows that although many clinicians follow evidence, the problem of overprescription persists - particularly for conditions where gastroprotection lacks a clear evidence base (such as routine NSAID co-administration without additional risk factors).

The finding that clinicians in internal medicine, emergency, and anaesthesia showed better adherence may reflect greater continuing education engagement with consensus statements in these specialty areas compared with general practitioners. This has implications for targeted education strategies.

What this changes in omeprazole-gastroprotectants-dogs (https://www.thevoyage.ai/forvets/knowledge/omeprazole-gastroprotectants-dogs)

This survey directly updates the prescribing landscape section of the omeprazole gastroprotectants evergreen, confirming that overprescription remains a documented concern even 6+ years after the ACVIM 2018 consensus publication. The data support the recommendation to review indication appropriateness at every prescription.

References

1. Olmeda P, Rey C, Rodriguez-Franco F, Marks SL, et al. Evaluation of Veterinary Prescription of Gastroprotectants in Dogs in Spain. Vet Sci. 2026;13(1):61. https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC12846710
2. Sainz A, Garcia-Sancho M, Villaescusa A, Rodriguez-Franco F, et al. Prevalence and appropriateness of omeprazole prescription before and after the ACVIM consensus statement. Front Vet Sci. 2024;11:1352496. https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC11107090

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