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Gastric ulcers are an extremely prevalent condition in the equine population. It is estimated that between 25% and 51% of foals and 60% to 90% of athletic adult horses are affected. With these figures in mind, it is obvious that not all horses with ulcers show clinical signs.
There are many possible reasons why horses develop ulcers so readily, but risk factors such as stress, training, travel, and the use of certain drugs such as corticosteroids and NSAIDS have been well established. The practice of feeding meals (especially highly acidifying grain rations) to animals adapted to constant grazing is another possible explanation of these numbers.
Gastric ulcers can cause clinical signs in horses of any age, but foals and young horses in training appear to be most a risk of developing serious problems. The most common signs of clinically significant Gastric ulcers include mild colic that is associated with feedings, poor appetite, diarrhea (foals most commonly), bruxism (grinding of the teeth), salivation (foals), and poor body condition.
More subtle signs such as decreased performance or attitude changes can be the only presenting complaint, and this appears to be the most common presentation in the adult performance horse population.
Any horse with recurrent signs of abdominal discomfort should receive a thorough evaluation (physical exam, bloodwork, rectal exam, ultrasound). Gastroscopy is the only test to definitively diagnose gastric ulcers and it is indicated for horses with recurrent clinical signs consistent with gastric ulcer disease.
The procedure is performed in hospital under standing sedation and is very well tolerated by most patients. This is generally an outpatient procedure that requires a strict fast (a muzzle is often needed) of at least 12 hours prior to the examination. Once fasted and sedated, a long (3 meter) flexible videoendoscope is advanced from the horse’s nostril into its stomach. The stomach lining is then evaluated for the presence of ulcers.
Treatment (Gastrogard/Ulcergard) of gastric ulcers is effective and simple, but can be relatively expensive; between $1,200 and $1,800 depending on severity. Gastroscopy allows for a definitive diagnosis to be reached before a costly and lengthy treatment is initiated.
Gastric ulcer disease in foals can have a more rapid and serious course than in adult horses, and aggressive diagnostics are recommended for any foal with consistent clinical signs. Allowing gastric ulcers to go untreated in foals can result in lethal gastric perforation and peritonitis, or stricture of the pylorus (chronic, severe colic due to mechanical obstruction).
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GREAT INSIGHT TO WHAT MAKES A HORSE FEEL HIS BEST OR NOT. THANKS FOR INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE READ.