Equine Gastric Ulcers

Equine Gastric Ulcers

The symptoms of equine gastric ulcers can be vague and may vary from one horse to another. This means that gastric ulcers could be one of the most under-recognised problems in the equine field with around 60% of performance horses and 40% of leisure horses affected.

Horses are at risk of developing ulcers when they are fed intermittently (especially forage), have a diet high in carbohydrates, are under intensive training and are physically stressed such as when suffering an illness.

Underlying orthopaedic pain (lameness) is extremely common with horses with gastric ulceration. It is normally advised that a horse is examined for any lameness when investigating potential gastric ulceration

Anatomy of the horses stomach
The horse has a simple stomach much the same as ourselves. The horses stomach differs from the human stomach in one important aspect. The stomach lining is split into two areas. The proximal (at the top) stomach lining is non-glandular with a white appearance whilst the distal (at the bottom) stomach lining is glandular with a pink appearance. These two areas are demarcated by the margo plicatus. The glandular portion of the stomach is the area in which the stomach secretes various substances that include acid to digest the food and lining protectors such as bicarbonate. Both areas of the stomach can become ulcerated.

Clinical Signs
The clinical signs of a horse suffering from gastric ulcers can be very vague and a highly variable with each individual. Signs include:

• Anorexia or lack of appetite.
• Colic.
• Poor performance.
• Poor hair coat quality.
• Poor condition.
• Sudden onset of vices such as crib-biting, weaving and box walking.

Foals also suffer from ulceration. They are particularly susceptible when suffering from another illness in the first days of life. Clinical signs in foals include poor appetite, colic and diarrhoea.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis is very difficult using clinical signs alone as the signs mimic many other diseases. The only method of diagnosis is to visualise the stomach lining with a gastroscope. We need very long endoscopes (3 meters in length) to reach the stomach in the adult horse.

Priors Farm can perform gastroscopy either in the clinic or at your stables. It has become a common and very routine procedure in recent times but there are some essential steps that need to be followed in preparation for the procedure. Please contact the office to book in and for detailed information about how to prepare your horse for a gastroscope.

Treatment
Treatment strategies for ulcers are three pronged: prevent clinical signs, promote ulcer healing and prevent recurrence. Identifying if there are any underlying problems, such as lameness, is also essential to successful outcomes.

Medical treatment of ulceration can be difficult and there are several treatments available that may be used on their own or in conjunction. The mainstay of treatment is a drug called omeprazole. This drug actually prevents the glands in the stomach from producing too much acid by “blocking” the acid pump within the glands. The treatment can be given orally or by injection. The reduction in stomach acid will promote the healing of the ulcers.

Other treatments can include antacids, prostaglandin inhibitors, steroids and antibiotics.

It is essential that not only an effective medical treatment is given but that there are management changes implemented to prevent recurrence of the ulcers. These changes include increased turn-out, reduction in the percentage of carbohydrates in the diet, increased access to forage. A reduction in the intensity of training may also be of benefit.