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Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2000; (29); 34-39; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05166.x

Cross-sectional study of gastric ulcers of the squamous mucosa in thoroughbred racehorses.

Abstract: Although gastric ulcers have been identified relatively frequently in racing Thoroughbreds, there have been no large scale studies to determine their effect on health and performance. Two hundred and two Thoroughbred horses in active race training were selected by the attending veterinarians for gastro-endoscopic examination. Images of the stomach mucosa were stored in a digitised format for subsequent evaluation. The number of ulcers and a score of severity were determined. Gastric ulceration of the squamous mucosa was identified in 82% of horses. Seventy-three (39%) horses displayed clinical signs consistent with gastric ulceration. Increasing Furr and Murray Score was associated with poor hair coat (P = 0.03), colic (P = 0.03), and increasing serum creatinine concentration (P = 0.029). There were no associations between haematology and serum biochemistry values (other than serum alkaline phosphatase concentration and serum creatinine concentration) and gastric ulceration. Our study confirmed the relatively high incidence of gastric ulceration in Thoroughbred horses involved in active race training. Gastric ulceration is a potential, but rare, cause of overt colic, but may produce more subtle detrimental effects on a horse's condition. It is concluded that the diagnosis of gastric ulceration should be based on an endoscopic examination of the stomach, although future studies are required to elucidate further the aetiology and clinical significance of gastric ulceration.
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Publication Date: 2000-03-04 PubMed ID: 10696291DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05166.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The research article reveals that gastric ulcers are quite common in Thoroughbred racehorses and might influence their health and performance. However, these ulcers are rarely the cause of overt colic.

Methodology

  • 202 Thoroughbred racehorses that were undergoing active training were chosen for a gastro-endoscopic assessment by their respective vets. The purpose was to capture images of the stomach lining.
  • The digital images were stored and later evaluated for the severity of the ulcers and the number.

Findings

  • The research identified gastric ulcers on the squamous mucosa in 82% of the horses involved in the study.
  • Out of these, 39% of the horses presented clinical signs that were consistent with gastric ulcers.
  • Although gastric ulcers can cause colic, it is a rare outcome. The study, however, confirmed the correlation between high Furr and Murray Scores, bad hair coats, and colic.
  • An increase in the serum creatinine concentration was connected with a higher Furr and Murray Score. This implies that past a certain level, creatinine levels in the bloodstream may indicate more critical concerns connected with gastric ulceration.

Conclusions

  • The data gathered through the study provided confirmation about the relatively high occurrence of gastric ulceration in the Thoroughbred horses involved in active race training.
  • However, gastric ulceration rarely causes an overt case of colic. More often than not, it has more subtle negative effects on a horse’s condition.
  • The diagnosis of gastric ulceration ought to be based on an endoscopic examination of the horse’s stomach. More research is needed to understand the cause and clinical significance of gastric ulceration better.

Cite This Article

APA
Vatistas NJ, Snyder JR, Carlson G, Johnson B, Arthur RM, Thurmond M, Zhou H, Lloyd KL. (2000). Cross-sectional study of gastric ulcers of the squamous mucosa in thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet J Suppl(29), 34-39. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05166.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 29
Pages: 34-39

Researcher Affiliations

Vatistas, N J
  • Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Snyder, J R
    Carlson, G
      Johnson, B
        Arthur, R M
          Thurmond, M
            Zhou, H
              Lloyd, K L

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / administration & dosage
                • Breeding
                • California / epidemiology
                • Cross-Sectional Studies
                • Female
                • Gastric Mucosa / drug effects
                • Gastric Mucosa / pathology
                • Gastroscopy / veterinary
                • Horse Diseases / blood
                • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                • Horse Diseases / pathology
                • Horses
                • Incidence
                • Logistic Models
                • Male
                • Physical Conditioning, Animal
                • Severity of Illness Index
                • Stomach Ulcer / blood
                • Stomach Ulcer / epidemiology
                • Stomach Ulcer / pathology
                • Stomach Ulcer / veterinary

                Citations

                This article has been cited 37 times.
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