Equine Gastric Ulcers
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What are equine gastric ulcers?
How do gastric ulcers develop?
Which horses get gastric ulcers?
Why are foals at particular risk?
How can I tell if my horse has gastric ulcers?
Can gastric ulcers easily be treated?
What are equine gastric ulcers?

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome describes the erosion of the horse’s stomach lining, due to prolonged exposure to the acid produced by the stomach1.

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome spans a wide spectrum of severity, from an inflamed but intact stomach lining, through to widespread erosion and bleeding1. In extreme circumstances the condition develops to such an extent that perforation of the stomach can occur, and this can be fatal. Such fatalities most commonly occur in foals, rather than adult horses2.

A 4-point scoring system has been developed by vets to help classify the severity of equine ulcers, in which grades 2 or above are considered clinically significant3.

 

 
Ulcer severity scoring for grades 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4
Grade 0 - Stomach lining is intact, and there is no appearance of reddening Grade 0 - Stomach lining is intact, and there is no appearance of reddening Grade 1 - The mucosa is intact but there are areas of hyperaemia Grade 1 - Stomach lining is intact but there are areas of reddening
Grade 2 - Stomach has small single or multiple ulcers Grade 2 - Stomach has small single or multiple ulcers Grade 3 - Stomach has large single or multiple ulcers Grade 3 - Stomach has large single or multiple ulcers
Grade 4 - Stomach has extensive ulceration; often merge to give areas of deep ulceration Grade 4 - Stomach has extensive ulcers; often merge to give areas of deep ulceration
 

   
  References  
  1. Murray MJ, Eichorn ES. Effects of intermittent feed deprivation, intermittent feed deprivation with ranitidine administration, and stall confinement with ad libitum access to hay on gastric ulceration in horses. Am J Vet Res 1996; 57: 1599-1603.  
  2. Murray MJ et al. Prevalence of gastric lesions in foals without signs of gastric disease: an endoscopic survey. Equine Vet J 1990; 22(1): 6-8.  
  3. Andrews F, Bernard W, Byars D et al. Recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). The Equine Gastric Ulcer Council. Equine Vet Ed 1999; 11: 252-272.  
 
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