Ulcers are a condition that can impact the gastrointestinal system of horses for several reasons. Today, our Versailles equine vets discuss gastric ulcer symptoms and treatment for horses as well as the common causes.
Gastric Ulcers in Horses
Stomach ulcers, also known as gastric ulcers, are ulcers that are found on the stomach lining. Horses can often develop ulcers, with athletic horses being at a higher risk due to increased gastric acid production and decreased blood flow to the GI tract caused by excessive exercise. It is common for most horses to experience this condition at some point in their lives.
Horses, unlike other animals, have smaller stomachs, requiring them to eat less but more frequently throughout the day. When horses graze naturally, their bodies produce a constant supply of gastric acid to aid digestion. However, in scenarios where horses are fed only twice a day, such as during boarding, this can lead to an overproduction of acid, potentially causing negative effects on their digestive system, including the development of gastric ulcers.
Causes of Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in Horses
An imbalance between mucosal aggressive and protective factors generally causes Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in horses. Prolonged exposure to hydrochloric acid, pepsin, bile or organic acids may lead to ulcers in the esophagus. When a horse experiences ulcers in this area, it can be compared to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Syndrome (GERDS) in humans.
The severity of the condition in horses depends on how long the horse is exposed to acid. Ulcers in the glandular mucosa are usually caused by reduced blood flow and decreased mucus and bicarbonate secretion.
If a horse has been fasting or gone long without eating, it will be more likely to experience gastric ulcer syndrome, along with foals that nurse or feed infrequently.
Signs of Gastric Ulcers in Horses
When it comes to gastric ulcers in horses, most do not show outward clinical signs and can appear completely healthy. Gastric ulcer syndrome in horses can have various symptoms, including:
- Poor appetite
- Dullness
- Attitude changes
- Decreased performance
- Reluctance to train
- Poor body condition
- Poor hair coat
- Weight loss
- Low-grade colic
- Girthiness
The clinical signs of ulcers in foals can manifest as intermittent colic occurring after suckling or eating, frequent resting, reduced nursing, diarrhea, poor appetite, a pot-bellied appearance, teeth grinding, and excess salivation. These symptoms are indicative of an advanced condition that necessitates immediate diagnosis and treatment.
How are gastric ulcers treated in horses?
Instead of using equine X-rays, which is a useful type of equine diagnostic imaging, your vet will use an endoscope to perform a gastroscopy. During the gastroscopy, your equine vet will insert a thin, flexible tube through your horse's mouth to view the upper digestive tract.
Gastric Ulcer Treatment for Horses
If you have noticed any of the symptoms above in your horse or foal, you should have your horse examined by our Versailles vets. Our vets can recommend the ideal treatment once your horse has been diagnosed with gastric ulcer syndrome through our equine surgery and diagnostics department.
Various methods have been used to treat and prevent gastric ulcers in horses and foals. Regarding medication, a paste must be administered once daily for 28 days to treat gastric ulcer syndrome in horses. One of the added benefits of this medication is that it can prevent the recurrence of gastric ulcers when administered at a half dose. While horse surgery can be useful for many conditions, this concern is generally treated with medication and not through invasive measures.
Treatment is important as ulcers do not tend to heal on their own, and untreated gastric ulcers can cause serious complications, such as a hole in the stomach lining.
Note: The advice in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding animals or professional advice regarding equine regulations. To diagnose your animal's condition and help navigate rules governing the care and transportation of equine animals, please make an appointment with your vet.