At a luncheon meeting on Tuesday April 19, 2016, the staff at Full Circle Equine Services presented information about equine stomach ulcers and demonstrated “scoping” two horses to detect them. Guest speaker was representative from Merial, the maker of Gastrogard. Lunch was from Corky’s barbeque.
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) consists of erosions of the stomach lining due to prolonged exposure to acid normally present in the stomach for digestion. This is different from human stomach ulcers, which are caused by bacteria. This problem can develop in any horse regardless of age. The progression of the disease is from inflammation to erosion to ulceration to perforation of the stomach lining.
The disease is prevalent in racing Thoroughbreds (93%) and show/performances (60%), with some in racing Standardbreds (38-56%). Even foals are susceptible (25-50%). About half the horses with ulcers do not show clinical signs.
Risk factors include:
·Feed: a diet high in concentrates, or feed deprivation, or intermittent feeding
·Stall confinement
·Training/exercise programs. Intense exercise is believed to contribute to ulcer formation in performance horses. It is theorized that the gastric emptying associated with exercise may increase the stomach acidity, a precursor to gastric ulcer formation.
·Stress
·Medications (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories)
Although half the horses with ulcers do not show clinical signs, 50% of the horses with ulcers may exhibit these signs: poor performance, attitude change, teeth grinding, intermittent mild to moderate colic signs, and slow or poor appetite.
The only way to accurately diagnose ulcers is via endoscopy. Endoscopy is a nonsurgical procedure used to examine the digestive tract. Using an endoscope, a flexible tube with a light and camera attached to it, a doctor or veterinarian can view pictures of the digestive tract on a color TV monitor.
Once a diagnosis is made, the progression of the disease can be determined. Grade 1 means the epithelium is intact, although with mild redness and roughening. Grade 2 means there are small areas of erosion and ulcerations (small sores in the stomach lining). Grade 3 means there are larger, multi-focal areas of erosion and ulcerations. Grade 4 means there are extensive lesions of deep ulcerations and bleeding is seen. (Each is these was illustrated with photos in the slideshow presentation.)
Treatments consist of antacids, such as Carafate and Neighlox; Sucralfate; H2 receptor antagonists (Ranitidine, Cimetidine); and protein pump inhibitors (Omeprazole).
But, of course, most horse owners would rather prevent the disease in the first place.
·Feeding Alfalfa hay in a horse’s diet can help prevent stomach ulcers. A study performed by the University of Tennessee compared two diets to see which would cause stomach ulcers: alfalfa hay with textured grain vs. brome hay with no grain (Nadeau et al., 2000). The researchers were surprised to find that horses fed the alfalfa-containing ration combined with grain had a lower incidence of stomach ulcers. Another study conducted by Texas A&M examined two groups of horses – both being fed an appropriate grain ration, but one with alfalfa hay and the other with Bermuda grass hay (Lybbert et al., 2007). This study also found that alfalfa hay did seem to decrease the severity of gastric ulcers in horses confirmed with EGUS, while not increasing the overall incidence of ulcers when compared to Bermuda grass hay.
·Making sure horses have plenty of turnout and grazing time is important, as well as having sufficient grass to graze.
·Limit the concentrates in a horse’s diet.
·During times of stress, such as trailering, horse shows, illness, or changes in normal routine, there are prophylactic treatments, such as omeprazole (I mg/kg), Aloe Vera juice, or SmartGut Ultra from SmartPak.
After the informational presentation, the Full Circle Equine veterinarians performed two gastroscopies those attending see up close the procedure, what veterinarians look for, and what an equine stomach looks like.
If you have further questions about EGUS, contact your veterinarian or the veterinarians at Full Circle Equine Services. Information at their website: http://www.fullcircleequineservice.com/or on facebook.
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) consists of erosions of the stomach lining due to prolonged exposure to acid normally present in the stomach for digestion. This is different from human stomach ulcers, which are caused by bacteria. This problem can develop in any horse regardless of age. The progression of the disease is from inflammation to erosion to ulceration to perforation of the stomach lining.
The disease is prevalent in racing Thoroughbreds (93%) and show/performances (60%), with some in racing Standardbreds (38-56%). Even foals are susceptible (25-50%). About half the horses with ulcers do not show clinical signs.
Risk factors include:
·Feed: a diet high in concentrates, or feed deprivation, or intermittent feeding
·Stall confinement
·Training/exercise programs. Intense exercise is believed to contribute to ulcer formation in performance horses. It is theorized that the gastric emptying associated with exercise may increase the stomach acidity, a precursor to gastric ulcer formation.
·Stress
·Medications (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories)
Although half the horses with ulcers do not show clinical signs, 50% of the horses with ulcers may exhibit these signs: poor performance, attitude change, teeth grinding, intermittent mild to moderate colic signs, and slow or poor appetite.
The only way to accurately diagnose ulcers is via endoscopy. Endoscopy is a nonsurgical procedure used to examine the digestive tract. Using an endoscope, a flexible tube with a light and camera attached to it, a doctor or veterinarian can view pictures of the digestive tract on a color TV monitor.
Once a diagnosis is made, the progression of the disease can be determined. Grade 1 means the epithelium is intact, although with mild redness and roughening. Grade 2 means there are small areas of erosion and ulcerations (small sores in the stomach lining). Grade 3 means there are larger, multi-focal areas of erosion and ulcerations. Grade 4 means there are extensive lesions of deep ulcerations and bleeding is seen. (Each is these was illustrated with photos in the slideshow presentation.)
Treatments consist of antacids, such as Carafate and Neighlox; Sucralfate; H2 receptor antagonists (Ranitidine, Cimetidine); and protein pump inhibitors (Omeprazole).
But, of course, most horse owners would rather prevent the disease in the first place.
·Feeding Alfalfa hay in a horse’s diet can help prevent stomach ulcers. A study performed by the University of Tennessee compared two diets to see which would cause stomach ulcers: alfalfa hay with textured grain vs. brome hay with no grain (Nadeau et al., 2000). The researchers were surprised to find that horses fed the alfalfa-containing ration combined with grain had a lower incidence of stomach ulcers. Another study conducted by Texas A&M examined two groups of horses – both being fed an appropriate grain ration, but one with alfalfa hay and the other with Bermuda grass hay (Lybbert et al., 2007). This study also found that alfalfa hay did seem to decrease the severity of gastric ulcers in horses confirmed with EGUS, while not increasing the overall incidence of ulcers when compared to Bermuda grass hay.
·Making sure horses have plenty of turnout and grazing time is important, as well as having sufficient grass to graze.
·Limit the concentrates in a horse’s diet.
·During times of stress, such as trailering, horse shows, illness, or changes in normal routine, there are prophylactic treatments, such as omeprazole (I mg/kg), Aloe Vera juice, or SmartGut Ultra from SmartPak.
After the informational presentation, the Full Circle Equine veterinarians performed two gastroscopies those attending see up close the procedure, what veterinarians look for, and what an equine stomach looks like.
If you have further questions about EGUS, contact your veterinarian or the veterinarians at Full Circle Equine Services. Information at their website: http://www.fullcircleequineservice.com/or on facebook.
