Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome

Question 1

Where does 80% of ulcers occur?

Answer 1

in the non-glandular area of the stomach

Question 2

Glandular tissue in the stomach:

Answer 2

-secretes mucus
-more resistant to acid

Question 3

Where does 20% of ulcers occur?

Answer 3

the glandular area of the stomach

Question 4

Role of high concentrate diet

Answer 4

volatile fatty acids are formed
-change in pH
-change in microflora

Question 5

Role of forage in diet

Answer 5

-increase salivation
-creates basketball-sized bolus that absorbs gastric acidity

Question 6

Role of alfalfa in diet

Answer 6

-high in Ca
-high in Mg
-high in protein

Question 7

Risk factors of gastric ulcers

Answer 7

-lifestyle (in training, stalled 24/7, out with a herd, etc.)
-transport
-mediations: NSAIDS (will cut off prostaglandins)
-management (turnout, stress, feeding practices, access to water)
-breed
-discipline
-intensity

Question 8

If a horse has been eating forage for awhile, what should you feed them first?

Answer 8

hay (not concentrates)

Question 9

Exercise intensity that is a risk factor:

Answer 9

-racing (abdomen is getting squeezed)
-drilling dressage

Question 10

Breeds that are at higher risk:

Answer 10

-Thoroughbreds
-Arabians
-with exceptions

Question 11

What % of endurance horses suffer from gastric ulcers?

Answer 11

95%

Question 12

What % of racing horses suffer from gastric ulcers?

Answer 12

85%

Question 13

What % of Thoroughbred broodmares suffer from gastric ulcers?

Answer 13

60-65%
-don’t usually show signs because they have all access forage

Question 14

What level of jumpers has more ulcers?

Answer 14

the lower level
-the upper level horses may be able to cope with life better

Question 15

What % of quarter horses suffer from gastric ulcers?

Answer 15

40%
-quiet breed but intense disciplines

Question 16

Role of training and ulcers:

Answer 16

-pH probe in cardiac valve during exercise (walk vs trot)
-faster gaits (push stomach contents into the nonglandular region; more jarring/slushing effects)
-horses in turnout spend most of their time walking or standing
-horses in training prolong their exposure of squamous region to acid

Question 17

Why are foals VERY prone to gastric ulcers?

Answer 17

-liquid diet
-frolicking (slosh’s the liquid)
-laying down a lot
(a little less affected when they start to eat forage)

Question 18

Clinical signs of gastric ulcers in adults:

Answer 18

-acute colic
-recurring colic
-excessive recumbency
-poor body condition
-poor appetite
-poor performance/training
-behavioral changes
-pain when girthing
-dull haircoat
-reluctance to move during riding
-chronic diarrhea

Question 19

Clinical signs of gastric ulcers in foals:

Answer 19

-diarrhea
-abdominal pain
-restlessness
-rolling
-colic
-excessive salivation
-bruxism
-intermittent nursing
-poor appetite

Question 20

How is gastric ulcers diagnosed?

Answer 20

-physical exam/bloodwork
-response to treatment
-endoscopy

Question 21

What is the only way to 100% diagnose gastric ulcers?

Answer 21

endoscopy
-esophagus
-stomach
-duodenum
have to fast the horse 12 hours before

Question 22

What color should a non-ulcer stomach be?

Answer 22

non-glandular: light pink
glandular: dark pink/red

Question 23

What is the grading scale for Squamous ulcers?

Answer 23

Grade 0 (normal) - Grade 4 (bad)

Question 24

What is the grading scale for Pyloric lesions?

Answer 24

normal - severe/raised hemorrhagic

Question 25

What is the best treatment choice for ulcers?

Answer 25

omeprazole (ulcerguard or gastroguard)
-given 1/day
-for 28 days minimum

Question 26

What is another form of omeprazole?

Answer 26

-used in Australia
-injectable
-give 1/week
-thick liquid put into neck
-4 rounds/4 weeks

Question 27

What other treatments are available and how often are they given?

Answer 27

-Cimetidine (tagament) - 2/day
-Antacids (Neigh-lox) - every 2 hrs.
-Sucralfate (carafate) - BID-QID

Question 28

How long is treatment?

Answer 28

generally 28 days

Question 29

What supplements can be used to help treatment?

Answer 29

-pectin-lecithin complex
-corn oil
-U7
-polysaccharides (hyaluronic acid, beta glucans)
-aloe vera
-antacids pre-exercise
-hay pre-exercise

Question 30

What are changes in management you can make to decrease ulcer risk?

Answer 30

-modify diet (add alfalfa)
-modify feeding practices (hay first then grain)
-address training issues
-decrease stress (pasture mates, routine)
-modify exercise practices (feed hay, antacids)

Question 31

What should you not do with a racehorse immediately after they retire?

Answer 31

turn them out
-should transition slowly
-it can cause stress because of the sudden change in routine and feeding schedule