Overview of Gastric and Colonic Ulcers

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) and right dorsal colitis (RDC) are common in performance horses. Diagnoses are based on history, clinical signs, laboratory findings, gastroscopic examination, and response to altered diet and medical therapy. Effective treatment strategies for EGUS focus on increasing stomach pH by inhibiting or buffering gastric acid, which allows a permissive environment for ulcer healing, and environmental and dietary management. Effective treatment strategies for RDC focus on removing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), decreasing the bulk in the diet, reducing inflammation, coating and lubricating the colon, and decreasing environmental stress. Prevention of these conditions requires long-term dietary and environmental management.