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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2024; 14(22); 3189; doi: 10.3390/ani14223189

Association of Equine Squamous and Glandular Gastric Disease with Dental Status in 54 Horses.

Abstract: Gastric pH is a key factor in the development of equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD). Although acid injury is unlikely the primary cause of equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD), low pH may promote mucosal damage. Gastric pH is influenced by roughage uptake, as chewing increases the alkaline saliva production. The proton pump inhibitor omeprazole is currently recommended by the American/European College of Veterinary/Equine Internal Medicine (ACVIM/ECEIM) for ESGD and EGGD. We hypothesized that dental disorders decrease saliva production and gastric pH, predisposing horses to EGUS. Gastroscopy, intragastric pH measurement and dental examinations were performed ( = 54). Omeprazole therapy was recommended ( = 32), dental disorders were corrected ( = 22) and gastroscopy was repeated 4 weeks later ( = 9). An influence of moderate to severe dental disorders on ESGD (grade ≥ 2/4) ( = 0.394) and EGGD (grade ≥ 2/3) ( = 0.857) could not be determined. Nevertheless, there was a trend that moderate to severe dental disorders were associated with a low gastric pH ≤ 4 ( = 0.100). Horses with no or mild dental problems had a mean pH of 5.4 versus 4.2 in moderate to severe dental disorders. In conclusion, our study results do not show a direct relationship between dental disorders and EGUS, but a gastric and oral cavity examination should still be considered in patients presented for weight loss or inappetence.
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Publication Date: 2024-11-07 PubMed ID: 39595242PubMed Central: PMC11591547DOI: 10.3390/ani14223189Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study investigates the connection between dental issues and diseases of the stomach in horses. It finds that although there is not a direct link between these two factors, horses with dental issues are linked to lower pH levels within the stomach.

Research Context and Hypothesis

  • The primary focus of this study is equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) and equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD), both of which are conditions affecting horses’ stomachs. The authors note that gastric pH levels – the balance of acidity and alkalinity in the stomach – are key to the development of these conditions.
  • The primary factor that influences gastric pH levels is roughage intake, as chewing increases alkaline saliva production. The researchers theorised that dental issues, which would decrease a horse’s ability to chew and therefore produce saliva, could lead to lower gastric pH levels, thus making horses more likely to suffer from these gastric diseases.

Research Methodology

  • To test this hypothesis, a number of tests were performed on a sample of 54 horses. This included gastroscopy to view the stomach, measurement of intragastric pH levels, and dental examinations.
  • In some instances, the horses were recommended a course of omeprazole therapy. This is a proton pump inhibitor that is commonly used for gastric issues, as it can help to increase pH levels. Some of the horses also underwent dental procedures to correct their dental issues.

Research Findings and Conclusion

  • The results did not find a clear link between moderate to severe dental disorders and ESGD and EGGD. However, there was a trend noted that horses with moderate to severe dental disorders did have a lower intragastric pH level than horses with no or minor dental problems.
  • The researchers conclude that although there isn’t a direct link between dental disorders and gastric diseases, there’s an association between dental disorders and decreased gastric pH levels. They suggest that both a gastric and oral cavity examination should be considered in horses presented for weight loss or a lack of appetite, as these conditions can often be symptomatic of severe medical issues.

Cite This Article

APA
Lensing R, Wirth C, Thünker F, Merle R, Barton AK. (2024). Association of Equine Squamous and Glandular Gastric Disease with Dental Status in 54 Horses. Animals (Basel), 14(22), 3189. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14223189

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 22
PII: 3189

Researcher Affiliations

Lensing, Rabea
  • Equine Clinic Hochmoor, 48712 Gescher, Germany.
Wirth, Caroline
  • Equine Clinic Hochmoor, 48712 Gescher, Germany.
Thünker, Franziska
  • Equine Clinic Hochmoor, 48712 Gescher, Germany.
Merle, Roswitha
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Freie Universitaet Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany.
Barton, Ann Kristin
  • Equine Clinic Hochmoor, 48712 Gescher, Germany.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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