EGUS In Adult Horses 2015

Question 1

Describe ESGD and EGGD and how it is categorized in each disease

Answer 1

ESGD has primary and secondary disease. Primary disease is found when all other parts of the GI are normal. Secondary ESGD occurs when there is delayed gastric emptying, from other disease states of the GI.

EGGD pathophysiology has yet to be determined. Instead, this disease should be characterized by anatomy and description of lesion. I.e. Cardia, fundus, antrum and pylorus are locations
Focal/multi-focal/diffuse
Mild/moderate/severe
Flat and hemorrhagic/flat and fibrinosuppurative/raised and hemorrhagic/ depressed +/- blood clot/depressed and fibrinosuppurative

Question 2

Prevalence of ESGD is highest in which breeds? During which stage of life?

Answer 2

Tbreds 37% in untrained and increases to 80-100% during race training
Sbreds 44% that increases to 87% in training

Question 3

What are some feeding recommendations for preventing EGUS?

Answer 3

• more pasture turnout, not affecting gastric pH too much
• feeding more alfalfa to raise gastric pH and more often feeding of fiber/forages
• decreasing grain/starch intake
• free choice water at all times

Question 4

What clinical signs are common with EGUS, and how can these be used towards diagnosis?

Answer 4

Reduced appetite and poor BCS are the most prevalent; inconsistently effects on behavior and poor performance are seen.

These general signs do not support diagnosis of EGUS and it is recommended for actual diagnostics to occur.

Question 5

Describe the Equine Gastric Ulcer Council Scoring System

Answer 5

0 - healthy, no evidence of ulcers
1 - intact mucosa, hyperkeratosis
2 - small, single or multifocal lesions 
3 - large, single or multifocal lesions
4 - extensive lesions or apparent deep ulcerations

Question 6

Pathophysiology of ESGD and EGGD

Answer 6

ESGD - HCl and VFA can initiate breakdown of barrier, allowing squamous mucosa exposure to acid; well described relationship between exposure of squam mucosa to acid and degree of training

EGGD - difficult to determine, as this area of stomach is routinely exposed to pH of 1-3; breakdown of normal defenses must occur; humans this is often due to Heliobacter and NSAIDs