More than half of all foals1 and non-racing performance horses2 suffer from equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). For racehorses, the numbers are even higher. Is your horse at risk?
Horses get ulcers when acid production overwhelms the stomach's normal protective mechanisms. Inconsistent or low-roughage feeding, rigorous training schedules, stress due to travel, injury or isolation and overuse of NSAIDs are all contributing factors.
Symptoms of EGUS
Equine gastric ulcer syndrome is a colic trigger, and recurrent colics are a symptom of the condition. Other common symptoms of EGUS in horses include poor appetite and condition, decreased manure production, weight loss, dull or rough hair coat and low-grade, acute or frequent colic. Your horse may be a little pissy, too. Wouldn't you be?
In foals, look for intermittent colic, a pot-bellied appearance, poor condition, diarrhea, teeth grinding or excess salivation.
Equine gastroscopy is the most definitive method for diagnosing equine gastric ulcer syndrome, although a new fecal blood test is available to help diagnose equine gastric problems including EGUS.
Treatment of EGUS
There are a number of treatments for EGUS. Read about equine gastric ulcer treatments here.
1 Murray MJ. Endoscopic appearance of gastric lesions in foals: 94 cases (98701988) JAVMA 1989
2 Mitchell RD. Prevalence of gastric ulcers in hunter/jumper and dressage horses evaluated for poor performance. Association for Equine Sport Medicine, September 2001