Case on the web
Case on the web is a series of interesting cases followed by a short summary of the condition described in the case.

This will be changed from time to time. If anyone has any topics that they would like explained or described please contact the equine department (J.Puzio)

Gastric Ulceration

Gastric ulceration is a condition that has become evident now that investigations of the stomach are being carried out. Ulcers can impact significantly a horse’s performance, however the symptoms may not always be obvious. Poor appetite, weight loss, rough coat hair, sour attitude, mild to moderate colic can all be symptoms of this condition. Some animals not working well, difficult to train or having suspected back pain not responding to medication were found to have degrees of gastric ulceration.

It is well known that 90% of racehorses in training have gastric ulcers in varying degees and at least 60% of other performance horses have the condition, this includes eventers, showjumpers, dressage horses and hunters. The only definitive method of diagnosing ulcers is to perform a gastroscopy using a 3 metre long endoscope.

	Marked gastric ulceration
	Moderate to marked ulceration
	Mild ulceration

Here at the hospital we routinely use this method of investigation and have had good results when recognising this condition and prescribing the appropriate medication and feeding regime.
If horses are appropriately starved beforehand, gastroscopy can be carried out on an out-patient basis.

Jan Puzio BVetMed MRCVS