What are the symptoms of stomach ulcers in horses?

How do I know if my horse has a gastric ulcer?

The majority of horses with gastric ulcers do not show outward clinical signs and can appear completely healthy. Subtle signs may include: More serious cases will show abdominal pain (colic) and/or grinding of the teeth.

What is EGUs and what causes EGUs?

Gastric ulcers or EGUS can be caused by prolonged exposure of the stomach lining (gastric mucosa) to gastric juices resulting in ulceration and sometimes bleeding.

How do you test for EGUs in horses?

A definite diagnosis of EGUS can only be made by gastroscopy: passing an endoscope – a tube with a camera on the end up the nostril and down the oesophagus into the stomach. However, due to cost or other reasons, it has not been uncommon for horses suspected of having gastric ulcers to be treated with medications or gastric ulcer supplements.

What is Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS)?

What are Gastric Ulcers or Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS)? Gastric ulcers or EGUS can be caused by prolonged exposure of the stomach lining (gastric mucosa) to gastric juices resulting in ulceration and sometimes bleeding.

How to make a diagnosis of EGUS in horses?

A presumptive diagnosis of EGUS can be made on these typical clinical signs and response to therapy. A definitive can only be made using a video or fibreoptic endoscope. The endoscope must be at least 7 feet long. A longer endoscope (11 feet) is necessary to observe the duodenum in adult horses.

What causes EGUs in foals?

The horse stomach continuously secretes variable amounts of hydrochloric acid throughout the day and night and secretion of acid occurs without the presence of feed material. Foals secrete gastric acid as early as 2-days-of-age and acidity of the gastric fluid is high. High acid in the stomach may predispose foals to EGUS.

How do you diagnose stomach syndromes in horses?

A diagnosis of these clinical syndromes relies on recognition of clinical signs and endoscopic examination of the stomach. The horse stomach is divided into two distinct regions, the esophageal or non-glandular region and the glandular region.

What is EGUs in horses?

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) – EGUS is a term used to describe erosive and ulcerative diseases of the stomach of the horse. It is more specifically divided into 2 terms that describe Phone: (603) 842-5037 Menu Home About Us Our Team

How common are gastroesophageal problems in horses?

They are common in horses, with the prevalence estimated between 50 and 90%. They can affect any horse at any age but occur most frequently in horses that perform athletic activities such as racing, endurance, and showing. Researchers have found that exercise increases gastric acid production and decreases blood flow to the GI tract.

What percentage of racehorses have EGUs?

EGUS has generally been found to be lowest in pleasure horses and highest in Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses in training. However, occurrences of over 60% have been found in some studies of showing horses, endurance horses and eventers. What factors appear to increase the risk of horses having EGUS?

How do they test for Dope in horses?

When dope testing, horses are taken to a sampling box, where a sample of blood and urine is taken. A steward or testing official will be present to watch.

How to diagnose gastric ulcer in horses?

Differential Diagnosis of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome Gastroscopy continues to be the only reliable method for the differential diagnosis of gastric ulceration in horses.

What is the best medicine for EGUs in horses?

GastroGard (Omeprazole) is one of the most studied medication in horses. It is an “acid pump inhibitor” and inhibits gastric acid secretion regardless of the stimulus. GastroGard is a paste and is given to horses once daily for 28 days to treat EGUS.

What is the equine stomach?

The horse stomach is divided into two distinct regions, the esophageal or non-glandular region and the glandular region. The esophageal region or squamous mucosa covers approximately one-third of the equine stomach, is void of glands, and is covered by stratified squamous epithelium similar to the esophagus.

Does feed deprivation cause ulcers in horses?

Feed deprivation has been shown to cause ulcers in the squamous mucosa of horses, which is due to repeated exposure of the squamous mucosa to high acidity. In yearling and adult horses, hay and saliva (rich in sodium bicarbonate), may help buffer gastric hydrochloric acid.

How are ulcers diagnosed in horses and foals?

Although ulcers are similar in foals and horses, the syndromes frequently have different inciting causes and may produce different clinical signs. A diagnosis of these clinical syndromes relies on recognition of clinical signs and endoscopic examination of the stomach.

What does EGUs stand for?

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) – EGUS is a term used to describe erosive and ulcerative diseases of the stomach of the horse. It is more specifically divided into 2 terms that describe Phone: (603) 842-5037 Menu Home About Us Our Team New Clients Online Forms Appointments Services Online Pharmacy Education Contact Locations Sports Medicine

What is the prevalence of gastric ulcers in horses?

Prevalence estimates have been reported to range from 25 to 50 percent in foals and 60 to 90 percent in adult horses, depending on age, performance, and evaluated populations. Gastric ulcers have been identified in the non-glandular stratified squamous mucosa, margo plicatus, glandular mucosa and pyloric regions of the equine stomach.

What are the most common back problems in horses and ponies?

Back problems are very common in horses and ponies. They are usually the result of ill-fitting saddles, but they can also develop when a horse pulls a ligament or muscle when it rolls or falls. The spine can become very tender and painful. You may notice swelling or heat around the affected area.

What is the TRH-response test for Cushing’s syndrome?

The TRH-response test is used for diagnosing Cushing’s syndrome in horses. Pituitary adenoma cells seem to lose receptor specificity for hypothalamic-releasing hormones.

How does Cushing’s disease affect ACTH levels?

“When the pituitary gland is affected by Cushing’s disease, overproduction of ACTH is detectable as higher ACTH concentrations in a blood sample.”

How do you treat ulcers in horses?

The main treatment for gastric ulcers is Omeprazole. Omeprazole is an acid reducer. Because the equine stomach produces acid around the clock, Omeprazole has significant benefits. In a serious case of gastric ulcers, Omeprazole is usually administered for at least thirty days. Now here is where things get tricky.

Should I give my Horse a supplement for EGUs?

If a horse has signs suggestive of EGUS, then feeding a supplement should produce a rapid improvement in behaviour, especially around feeding, temperament and, over a longer period, improvement in condition. If you try a supplement, then it would be advisable to try one that has undergone some clinical trials.

How to treat gastric ulcers in horses?

A shorter scope (5-6 feet) is sufficient to see the stomach of foals. Inhibiting gastric acid secretion is the mainstay of gastric ulcer treatment in horses. A number of treatment modalities have been used for treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers in horses and foals.

What causes ulcers in the glandular region of the equine stomach?

Inhibition of prostaglandins may play a major role in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcers in the glandular region of the equine stomach. Gastric ulceration in the squamous mucosa is directly related to the degree and severity of gastric acid exposure.

Why does my horse have sores on his stomach?

The sores are usually covered with pus. Mild gastric ulcers are seen in approximately 50% of foals during the first four months of life. Most ulcers in foals are considered to be related to the stresses of weaning. These ulcers occur in the stomach or just beyond the outlet of the stomach in the duodenum, which is the first few feet of intestine.

Are ulcers the same in foals and horses?

Although ulcers are similar in foals and horses, the syndromes frequently have different inciting causes and may produce different clinical signs. A diagnosis of these clinical syndromes relies on recognition of clinical signs and endoscopic examination of the stomach.