Equine gastric ulcer syndrome in adult horses

Abstract

Many domesticated horses have gastric ulcers which can be diagnosed and graded during gastroscopy. A distinction should be made between equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD), which is caused by exposure of the mucosa to acid, and equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD), thought to occur when mucosal defence mechanisms are compromised. Horses with gastric ulcers may, but do not always, show clinical signs such as poor appetite, mild colic, discomfort during girthing, behavioural changes and reduced performance. The mainstay of treatment is blocking acid production using the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole. Treatment is usually successful in cases of ESGD, but less so for EGGD, where treatment duration is longer and for which sucralfate may be added or alternatives necessary, such as misoprostol, a prostaglandin analogue. To prevent recurrence of ulcers known risk factors, such as high concentrate diets, intense exercise and stress should be avoided or minimized.