Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome- Could my horse be affected?
It is incredibly difficult to replicate this lifestyle for our domesticated horses, particularly with restrictions on pasture turnout (due to wet ground in the Winter and laminitis risk for certain horses and ponies in the Summer). Increasing athletic demands and stressful situations such as travelling, separation from companions and increased stabling are all a long way from the lifestyle the horse originally evolved for. Increased levels of stress results in the production of high levels of stomach acid. A common result of this is the development of a condition called “Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome” (EGUS).
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Roles and anatomy of the stomach Due to the high levels of dietary cellulose (plant fibres which are difficult to digest), the horse has developed several ways to break this down into useable energy. Chewing and saliva production is the first step, followed by further breakdown in the stomach by the gastric acid. It is therefore imperative that the pH of the stomach fluid remains very acidic to aid this vital step of digestion. The horse’s stomach is split into two distinct areas- the GLANDULAR and the NON-GLANDULAR (or SQUAMOUS) and portions. The GLANDULAR part of the stomach is the reservoir which holds this highly acidic stomach fluid, and is well protected against acid by a thick lining. This portion also includes the PYLORUS, where the stomach empties into the start of the small intestine. The NON-GLANDULAR portion is simply a reservoir for fibrous food, and it’s thin lining means this area is poorly protected against acid.
What is EGUS? Ulcers affecting the NON-GLANDULAR part of the stomach usually occur due to acid contacting this very thin layer of lining. Usually stomach acid collects at the bottom of the stomach in the GLANDULAR area, and does not contact the delicate NON-GLANDULAR portion in the upper part of the stomach. When there is excessive fluid build-up, the acid can splash from it’s reservoir in the GLANDULAR portion onto the thin lining of the NON- GLANDULAR area. The acid easily erodes through this weaker lining, causing painful ulceration. This type of ulceration is oſten called “acid splash ulceration”.
Ulcers in this area are graded as follows; • Grade 0: Stomach lining is intact with no areas of reddening or thickening • Grade 1: The lining is intact but there are areas of reddening or thickening • Grade 2: Single / few small superficial ulcers • Grade 3: Single large deep ulcer or widespread superficial ulceration • Grade 4: Extensive deep ulceration
GLANDULAR ulceration is a little more complicated, because the lining of this part of the stomach is designed to hold highly acidic liquid. It is thought that stress, pain and use of certain medications can reduce blood flow to this area, impairing it’s natural defence against acid. Ulcers in this part of the stomach are described on their appearance, rather than following a grading scale.
orses have evolved to spend a high proportion of their time roaming across large areas in herds, eating a range of fibrous grasses and other forage.
Could my horse be suffering from EGUS? There are a huge range of clinical signs associated with gastric ulcers, and interestingly the severity of symptoms does not always reflect severity of ul- ceration. Certain horses seem to be incredibly stoical and show only mild signs even when suffering from high levels of ulceration. Ulcers are also not breed or age specific- indeed it is as common to find severe ulceration in native breeds such as Shetlands and Connemaras, as it is in Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods.
Mild symptoms; • Lethargy • Reluctance to move forward freely under saddle • Increased spookiness • Behavioural changes eg bucking, rearing, cribbing, windsucking • Flinching when girthed • Low grade poor performance
Moderate severe symptoms; • Refusing to move forward, reluctance to jump, napping • Biting or ears flat back when girthed • Poor appetite for certain feeds • Colic
Oſten horses only show one or two of the above signs when suffering from EGUS.
Diagnosis of EGUS The gold-standard of diagnosis is by gastroscopy. This is a relatively straight-forward, non-invasive procedure that is readily available at most
Grade 0 (normal stomach) 18 THE WINTER SPECIAL 2019
Grade 1 (ulceration non-glandular)
Grade 3 ulceration non-glandular
Grade 4 ulceration non-glandular For the latest news
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