Pyloric stenoses in horses: a seven case reports

The seven cases presented here were diagnosed at the Equine Clinic, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic between the years 2002 and 2008. The age range of affected horses was from 10 months to 10 years and included four Thoroughbreds and three warm blooded horses. The horses showed different clinical signs – recurrent or acute colic, poor appetite, frequent recumbency and poor performance. Physical examination revealed diverse results in each horse. Results of gastroscopic examination showed severe nonglandular mucosa ulceration and pathological changes along the pylorus in all horses. Two horses showed distal esophagitis. The duodenum was visible and endoscopically unchanged in two horses. Treatment was applied to four horses with different results. Follow up: Two horses are alive and they have partially or fully returned to their previous performance level. Five horses were euthanised because of clinical worsening and/or unsuccessful treatment. Four horses were examined post mortem. The final diagnosis of pyloric stenosis was made by gastroscopy in six horses. In the seventh horse it was confirmed by necropsy. Gastric or gastroduodenal ulceration was revealed as the cause of pyloric stenosis in five horses. In two horses the origins of pyloric changes were uncertain.