Equine Gastric Syndrome | Learn All About It

By Author: Abler
Total Articles: 3
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What are gastric ulcers in horses?
Gastric ulcers are lesions in the horse's stomach mucosa that range in size, quantity, and severity. 
Gastric ulcers, also known as stomach ulcers, are lesions that develop on the stomach lining. They are very prevalent in horses, with a prevalence of between 50 and 90% of performance horses. They can affect any horse at any age,  However,  horse ulcers treatment can be done easily if diagnosed early. 
 
Gastric ulcers are caused by a variety of factors.
Before the gastric ulcer treatment, let’s review the factors that may cause the ulcer in horses. The disequilibrium between mucosal aggressive factors (hydrochloric acid, pepsin, bile acids, organic acids) and mucosal protective factors (mucus, bicarbonate) causes gastric ulcer syndrome in foals and horses.
The underlying mucosa will be harmed if the amount of acid is raised or the protective mucus layer is lowered. Because some parts of the horse's stomach lack the glands that create mucus, they are prone to erosion ...
... and gastric ulcers.
The following are some of the most common causes of gastric ulcers:

Stress
Diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems, such as impactions
Feeding intervals that are too long
Nursing is only done once in a while.
Infections or other common ailments

 
What are the signs of gastric ulcers in horses?
Gastric ulcers in horses can display only sporadic signs of discomfort or odd behaviour, which can be readily mistaken for other illnesses. Although some horses show no symptoms, they are later identified as having serious ulcers.
If the horse indicates one or more of the following symptoms, gastric ulcers should be suspected. Therefore, treating ulcers in horses should be done at the earliest stage. The following are the symptoms:

Dullness
The Body Condition Score is low.
Girthing resistance.
Performance has dipped.
There is a reluctance to train.
Appetite problems
Stopping in the middle of a nursing session, sometimes with pawing
Colic symptoms include rolling on the back.
Diarrhea
Teeth grinding and saliva dripping from mouth

 
How are gastric ulcers diagnosed?
Gastric ulcers can only be definitively detected via a gastric endoscope, often known as a gastroscopy, which involves inserting an endoscope into the stomach and inspecting its surface. A gastroscopy is a good approach to diagnosing horse gastric ulcers.
The esophagus, stomach, and small intestine can all be evaluated with this treatment, which is simple to execute and less invasive. Based on clinical indicators and how the horse responds to therapy, a provisional diagnosis can be formed.
 
What is the ulcer treatment for horses?
To successfully treat and prevent gastric ulcers, a combination of medication, feeding adjustments, and management changes is required.

Omeprazole is the preferred horse ulcer treatment. for stomach ulcers in adult horses.
Sucralfate is known to treat ulcer pain, and is a preventative.  

 
What can be done to prevent gastric ulcers?
The following management measures may help to keep ulcers at bay:

Changes in management: Natural grazing is good for the horse's health since it reduces stress and helps buffer the stomach's gastric acid. Keep your horse out on pasture as often as possible during the day.
Feeding modifications: Replace high grain feed with good quality hay or haylage on a daily basis. Instead of offering huge amounts of food at once, feed smaller amounts more frequently.