Equine gastric ulcer syndrome in horses and foals
Authors: van den Boom Robin, Kranenburg Lieuwke
Journal: UK-Vet Equine
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome Gastric ulceration remains a prevalent condition affecting both adult horses and foals, yet clinical diagnosis presents a significant challenge due to poor correlation between endoscopic findings and clinical severity. Van den Boom and Kranenburg emphasise a critical distinction in current veterinary practice: squamous and glandular gastric disease represent two distinct pathological entities requiring differentiation, as ulcers may occur in either or both mucosal layers, each with different treatment implications. Gastroscopy remains the gold standard for confirming ulcer presence and grading severity, though clinical signs alone are unreliable indicators of mucosal damage. Both disease types stem from acid-induced tissue injury, making the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole the foundation of medical management; however, glandular disease typically demands adjunctive sucralfate therapy to address the underlying pathophysiology. Practitioners should recognise that successful treatment depends equally on pharmaceutical intervention and systematic evaluation of husbandry and management factors—feed type and frequency, stabling duration, exercise patterns, and stress—since these documented risk factors directly influence both healing rates and recurrence risk.
Read the full abstract on the publisher's site
Practical Takeaways
- •Gastroscopy is necessary to confirm ulcers and determine severity, but clinical signs alone should not be dismissed even if endoscopy findings appear mild
- •Manage husbandry and feeding practices as core prevention strategy—address risk factors during treatment and recovery to prevent recurrence
- •Distinguish between squamous and glandular ulcers as treatment protocols differ; glandular disease requires combination therapy with omeprazole and sucralfate
Key Findings
- •Gastric ulcers occur in both squamous and glandular mucosa, representing two distinct disease entities with different pathophysiology
- •Poor correlation exists between gastroscopic findings and clinical severity, requiring careful clinical interpretation
- •Omeprazole (proton pump inhibitor) is the mainstay treatment for both squamous and glandular gastric disease
- •Sucralfate is recommended as adjunctive therapy specifically for glandular gastric disease cases