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Equine veterinary journal2019; 52(2); 200-204; doi: 10.1111/evj.13157

Chronic severe pyloric lesions in horses: 47 cases.

Abstract: The clinical findings and outcome associated with chronic severe equine pyloric lesions have not been well described previously. Objective: To describe the history, clinical signs, endoscopic and ultrasound results, laboratory data, treatment, pathological findings and survival of horses with chronic severe pyloric lesions. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records from horses treated at clinics in Czech Republic and Germany in which chronic severe pyloric lesions were confirmed endoscopically and/or on post-mortem examination were reviewed. Results: Forty-seven horses were identified, median age 3 years (range 0.8-16 years). There were 3 geldings, 23 mares and 19 stallions and the majority were Warmbloods (60%). The most common presenting signs were poor body condition (40; 87%), slow eating (39; 83%), recurrent colic (35; 74%) and selective appetite (30; 64%). The most consistent laboratory abnormality was hypoalbuminaemia (10; 36%). Slow gastric emptying was confirmed in 29 individuals during gastroscopy and/or ultrasonography. Endoscopy revealed distal oesophagitis in 9 of 47 horses, and severe equine squamous gastric disease in all cases. Pyloric lesions were depressed, flat or raised fibrinosuppurative pyloric ulcers and were seen in 45 (2 pylori were not seen endoscopically). Thirty-two cases were treated, with 28 responding well initially. All treated cases received anti-ulcer medication and four underwent gastrojejunostomy. Clinical signs recurred after medical treatment in at least 11 cases. Only 18 of 44 cases (41%) survived long term (3 were lost to follow-up). Horses diagnosed at 3 years of age or younger were significantly less likely to survive more than 6 months than older horses (27.8% vs. 72.2%, P<0.001). Conclusions: The study is retrospective, some records were incomplete and case identification was subjective. Conclusions: Chronic severe pyloric lesions can be associated with delayed gastric emptying identified with ultrasonography and/or endoscopy. The prognosis is poor in young horses.
© 2019 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2019-08-28 PubMed ID: 31390081DOI: 10.1111/evj.13157Google 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 research article examines how chronic severe pyloric lesions affect horses, including their symptoms, diagnostic findings, treatment outcomes, and survival rates based upon a review of 47 cases.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers employed a retrospective study design, looking back at medical records of horses treated in clinics in the Czech Republic and Germany for chronic severe pyloric lesions.
  • The pyloric lesions in these horses were confirmed either endoscopically during their lifetime or through post-mortem examinations.
  • In total, 47 horses were studied. They ranged in age from less than a year old to 16 years old, with a median age of 3 years.

Clinical Findings and Symptoms

  • The most common presenting symptoms of horses with these lesions included poor body condition, slow eating, frequent colic, and a selective appetite.
  • There were also laboratory abnormalities found in these horses, with the most consistent one being hypoalbuminaemia – lower than normal levels of albumin in the blood.
  • Slow gastric emptying, a likely symptom of the pyloric lesions, was confirmed in some of the horses during both endoscopic and ultrasound examinations.
  • Endoscopy also revealed distal oesophagitis in 9 of the 47 horses, and severe equine squamous gastric disease in every case.

Treatment and Outcomes

  • Of the 47 horses in the study, 32 were treated for their pyloric lesions.
  • The majority of the treated horses initially responded well to treatment. All treated cases received anti-ulcer medication, and in four instances surgical intervention was used to assist with gastric emptying.
  • However, in at least 11 of the treated cases, clinical signs returned after the medical treatment period.
  • If we look at long term survival, only 18 of 44 cases (or 41%) survived long term; data was not available for the remaining 3 horses.
  • Furthermore, the horses diagnosed with these lesions at 3 years old or younger were significantly less likely to survive more than 6 months after the diagnosis compared to older horses.

Limitations and Conclusions

  • The researchers acknowledge some limitations in their study, including its retrospective nature, some incompleteness in the medical records, and potentially subjective case identification.
  • Nevertheless, this study provides important insights about chronic severe pyloric lesions in horses. The lesions are associated with delayed gastric emptying that can be identified through ultrasonography and/or endoscopy.
  • The prognosis for young horses diagnosed with these pyloric lesions tends to be poor.

Cite This Article

APA
Bezdekova B, Wohlsein P, Venner M. (2019). Chronic severe pyloric lesions in horses: 47 cases. Equine Vet J, 52(2), 200-204. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13157

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 2
Pages: 200-204

Researcher Affiliations

Bezdekova, B
  • Equine Medical, Skalice nad Svitavou, Czech Republic.
Wohlsein, P
  • Department for Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine of Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
Venner, M
  • Equine Clinic Destedt, Destedt, Germany.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stomach Ulcer / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Vokes J, Lovett A, Sykes B. Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome: An Update on Current Knowledge. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 5;13(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13071261pubmed: 37048517google scholar: lookup
  2. Hewetson M, Tallon R. Equine Squamous Gastric Disease: Prevalence, Impact and Management. Vet Med (Auckl) 2021;12:381-399.
    doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S235258pubmed: 35004264google scholar: lookup
  3. Willette J, Guinn A, Munsterman A. Primary Jejunal Impactions Resolved via Exploratory Celiotomy in Six Horses: 2017-2023. Animals (Basel) 2025 Aug 12;15(16).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15162363pubmed: 40867692google scholar: lookup
  4. Paul LJ, Ericsson AC, Andrews FM, McAdams Z, Keowen ML, St Blanc MP, Banse HE. Field study examining the mucosal microbiome in equine glandular gastric disease. PLoS One 2023;18(12):e0295697.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295697pubmed: 38060520google scholar: lookup
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