How Is Egus Diagnosed In Horses?

The definitive way to diagnose EGUS is by video gastroscopy. With a video gastroscopy, we can actually visualise the equine stomach from the cardia to the pylorus to rule in/out the presence of equine gastric ulcer syndrome. Gastroscopy is a procedure where we pass a video endoscope into the stomach for visualisation.

How is EGUS diagnosed?

Diagnosis. Suspicion of EGUS may be based on history and clinical signs, but evaluation of the stomach with an endoscope (a procedure called “gastroscopy”) is the only way to confirm the presence, type, and severity of EGUS. This procedure can be performed at the barn or at a referral veterinary facility.

How do I know if my horse has a hind gut ulcer?

Hindgut ulcers tend to have more profound clinical signs than gastric ulcers, according to Andrews. Signs include a recurring lack of appetite, lethargy, intermittent fever, colic bouts, occasional edema on the belly from a loss of protein in the blood, weight loss and thin body condition.

How are gastric ulcers diagnosed in horses?

Gastric ulcers can only be diagnosed definitively through gastric endoscopy, or gastroscopy, which involves placing an endoscope into the stomach and looking at its surface. This procedure is easy to perform, is minimally invasive, and allows for the evaluation of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.

What causes equine EGUS?

Causes of EGUS
Fasting or intermittent feeding have been shown to consistently induce gastric ulceration in horses. The empty stomach is exposed to acids which can attack the defenseless squamous mucosa and overwhelm the defenses of the glandular mucosa. Diets high in concentrates have also been shown to induce ulcers.

How is EGUS treated?

GastroGard (Omeprazole) is one of the most studied medication in horses. It is an “acid pump inhibitor” and inhibits gastric acid secretion regardless of the stimulus. GastroGard is a paste and is given to horses once daily for 28 days to treat EGUS.

Can a blood test detect ulcers in horses?

The SUCCEED Equine Fecal Blood test is a simple stall-side test your veterinarian can use at the beginning of a diagnostic work-up to detect the presence of stomach ulcers, colonic ulcers or other GI disease in a horse that is struggling to perform to potential or showing clear signs of digestive issues.

Does omeprazole treat hindgut ulcers in horses?

Omeprazole is the only drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for treating horses with ulcers. Trade names for equine Omeprazole are Gastrogard and Ulcergard.

What’s the best thing for horses with stomach ulcers?

If squamous ulceration is diagnosed, the most commonly used treatment is a medication named Omeprazole which is given orally. This drug suppresses acid production and so allows the ulcers to heal. This medication should be given in the morning on an empty stomach with the horse not fed until 30-60 minutes after dosing.

What is used to treat hindgut ulcers in horses?

Sucralfate acts to line the stomach and intestines with a buffering substance, and can be used with ranitidine for the treatment of hindgut ulcers. Sucralfate should also be given every 8 hours. Succeed is is a product that I like to use to treat a horse with ulcers.

Can you ride a horse with gastric ulcers?

Feed a small amount of fibre in the time before tacking up to ride so the horse doesn’t have an empty stomach when ridden – a handful or two of a chopped fibre is ideal. Exercise intensity may need to be reduced to allow ulcers to heal.

Can gastric ulcers heal on their own in horses?

Most ulcers in the equine stomach occur at the interface between the glandular and non-glandular portions of the stomach. Ulcers in the stomach can heal on their own, over time, but factors like stress and metabolic status can inhibit healing ability.

What tests are run for stomach ulcers?

Your doctor may use a scope to examine your upper digestive system (endoscopy). During endoscopy, your doctor passes a hollow tube equipped with a lens (endoscope) down your throat and into your esophagus, stomach and small intestine. Using the endoscope, your doctor looks for ulcers.

What foods cause ulcers in horses?

High Grain Consumption
Saliva production during consumption of hay is approximately double that produced during intake of an equivalent amount of grain. In addition, grain empties out of the stomach more rapidly than hay leaving longer periods of time with an empty stomach that is susceptible to ulcer formation.

What causes delayed gastric emptying in horses?

The most common cause of delayed gastric emptying in horses is pyloric outflow obstruction secondary to glandular gastric disease (EGGD).

Does protein cause ulcers in horses?

One study demonstrated that horses fed a high-protein and high-calcium diet (lucerne based) showed higher stomach pH and fewer and less severe ulcers than horses fed a low protein and high calcium hay diet⁹.

How much does it cost to scope a horse for ulcers?

We hold regular gastroscopy clinics every month at our Poppleton practice. Gastroscopies are carried out at a significantly reduced price of £150.00, including sedation, and the offer includes horses that have previously been scoped for ulcers.

What proportion of racehorse has EGUS?

Abstract. Reasons for performing study: The prevalence (up to 93% in Thoroughbred racehorses) and severity of equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) have been correlated with the type of training and associated management practices.

How long do mouth ulcers take to heal in horses?

The disease generally runs its course within two weeks, although it may take as long as two months for the sores to entirely heal. Live virus can often be isolated from the lesions for up to a week after the lesions appear.

What should you not feed a horse with ulcers?

Feeding high starch and sugar concentrate feeds is not recommended for horses with EGUS. Instead, choose a feed that provides a higher proportion of calories from oil and fibre. You should split your feed into several small meals so that starch remains less than 1g starch per kg bodyweight per day.

What to feed horses to prevent ulcers?

For horses prone to ulcers, select hay that is high in structural carbohydrates and low in non-structural carbohydrates. Opt for hays with higher protein and calcium content. Legume hays are a great option, the most popular being alfalfa hay. Alfalfa hay contains 15 to 25% crude protein.