Gastric Ulcers: A Pain in the Gut!

Gastric ulcers are common in horses, with a prevalence estimated from 53 to 93%.1-3 Gastric ulcers can lead to decreased performance, vague clinical signs and may go undiagnosed for months. Gastric ulcers are primarily caused by stomach acids. However, the anatomy of the stomach, diet, restricted feed intake, exercise, stress (stall or transport), and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) are risk factors for development of gastric ulcers. Because many factors are involved in the cause of gastric ulcers, the term Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) was coined in 1999 to describe the condition of erosions and ulcerations occurring in the distal esophagus, non-glandular (NG) and glandular stomach, and proximal duodenum of horses.4 All ages and breeds of horses are susceptible to gastric ulcers and current therapeutic strategies focus on blocking gastric acid secretion and raising stomach pH. Pharmacologic agents are needed to treat these conditions, however, a comprehensive approach including correcting the underlying cause, environmental management, and dietary manipulation is needed for successful prevention.