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3 EQUINE REVIEW
SPRING 2010
IS YOUR HORSE SUFFERING FROM
GASTRIC ULCERS?
HOW AND WHY ULCERS FORM
Horses were designed as 'trickle feeders' with
free access to light grazing. In contrast,
depending on the level of work and yard
regime, our modern horse in work is usually
stabled, often with restricted access to food.
Whilst, like humans, horses produce saliva
when they eat, an important feature of equine
ulcers is that horses secrete gastric acid
continuously in the stomach, whether or
not they are eating. An adult horse will
produce approximately 1.5 litres of gastric
acid per hour and with restricted access to
food, continued secretion means the pH level
can rapidly become very acidic and ulcers
can begin to develop.
In contrast, horses constantly eating hay or
grass have a higher average stomach pH
providing a much healthier environment. It
can take up to 24 hours for the adult horse's
stomach to empty completely after a forage
meal, whereas a cereal based diet will pass
through much more quickly.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS?
A variety of factors may increase the risk
of gastric ulcers; these include the diet,
physical stress and illness associated
with transportation, relocation or stable
confinement, and medication such as
NSAIDs as well as exercise.
ADDITIONAL FACTORS
Research has also shown that regular exercise
and training has an effect on stomach acid
levels. Exercise increases the pressure in the
stomach and decreases the gastric pH.
Exercising on an empty stomach can
exacerbate this.
In addition to the feeding regime and exercise,
other factors that can influence the formation
of ulcers are transportation, relocation,
hospitalisation or separation from their usual
group
1
. The use of anti-inflammatories has
also been shown to be a possible contributing
factor to the formation of equine ulcers
2
.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
If a horse is suspected of having gastric
ulcers, a gastroscopy using a video
endoscope will confirm the presence,
severity and location of the ulceration.
Although the most common location for
ulcers is the upper region of the stomach,
they have been known to develop in other
areas, including the duodenum.
Ulcers are graded from 0 to 4, reflecting the
severity of ulceration. Grade 0 is a normal
healthy stomach, and grade 4 demonstrating
extensive lesions with areas of deep
ulceration. A 28 day course of the prescription
medicine containing omeprazole has shown
to be the most effective treatment for gastric
ulcers. After completion of the treatment, the
horse is then usually re-scoped and in most
cases the ulceration will have healed.
RECURRENCE AND PREVENTION
Many owners and riders note a significant
improvement in their horses, sometimes within
days of treatment commencing. However,
once the ulcers have healed, unless changes
are made to the horse's management, training
and/or environment, it's very possible that
they will recur. For a horse in hard work,
ulcers can start to reappear as quickly as
three to four days after the end of treatment,
however even subtle changes to their daily
regime can make a difference.
We should try to emulate the horses' natural
environment as closely as is possible. Free
access to hay and daily turnout - even for
short periods - can help significantly, as can
splitting hard feeds into smaller quantities fed
more frequently i.e. the same total amount
given in four instead of two feeds.
Studies have also shown that travel, and
separation from peers are also high risk
factors for gastric ulcers. In addition to
management modifications, or where risk
factors cannot be avoided, your veterinary
surgeon may recommend that horses receive
a preventative daily dose of omeprazole to
keep them clear of ulceration.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY HORSE
What are equine gastric ulcers?
'Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome'
describes the erosion of the horse's stomach lining, due to the prolonged
exposure to the acid produced by the stomach. Gastric ulceration is
a common, serious condition that can be fatal in foals and can also
seriously affect an adult horse. Despite negatively affecting appetite,
temperament and overall health, Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome
remains an under-diagnosed complaint.
The signs of gastric ulcers can be vague and vary from one horse to
another and whilst it's generally known that around 90% of racehorses
in training have ulcers, it's perhaps less well known that about 60% of
performance horses and 40% of leisure horses are also affected.
EQUINE
GASTRIC ULCER AWARENESS