DESCRIPTION OF GASTRIC ULCERS AND OF THEIR SUSPECTED, ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS IN DECEASED WILD EQUIDS AT THE RÉSERVE AFRICAINE DE SIGEAN, FRANCE (2010-2016).
Abstract: Gastric ulcers are common in domestic horses and foals, affecting at least 90% of unmedicated racehorses in active training. Despite these high prevalences in domestic horses, literature about this condition in wild equids is almost nonexistent. The presence of gastric ulcers was evaluated at necropsy in six species of wild equids that died at the Réserve Africane de Sigean, a safari park in the south of France from 2010 to 2016. Among the 55 individuals that died during that period, a description of the gastric mucosa was available in 82% (45/55) of cases. Considering the cases for which a description of the gastric mucosa was available, the prevalence of gastric ulcers was 64% (29/45). The highest prevalences were noted in Grant's zebra (Equus quagga boehmi) and Hartmann's mountain zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae) at 83% and 100%, respectively. In contrast to what is reported in domestic foals, gastric ulcerations were only diagnosed in one foal (out of 11 foals necropsied). The higher prevalence was noted in young individuals (3-36 mo old) at 93% (14/15); the lesions observed consisted mainly of single to multiple, superficial lesions, of which, only the mucosa was missing; these superficial lesions are often considered not clinically significant. The prevalence was lower for adults (74%; 14/19), but lesions were deeper or with a hyperemic or inflammatory appearance. All the lesions observed were located in the gastric, nonglandular, stratified squamous mucosa, along the margo plicatus. No statistical correlation could be found between the development of gastric ulcers and an ongoing, chronic pathologic process or a digestive tract pathology. The detection of gastric ulcers was, therefore, significantly greater in wild equids isolated in smaller enclosures. Nevertheless, additional larger-scale research is needed to point out predisposing factors in equids under human care.
Publication Date: 2017-09-19 PubMed ID: 28920797DOI: 10.1638/2016-0249.1Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research paper investigates the presence of gastric ulcers in wild equids at the Réserve Africane de Sigean from 2010 to 2016, noting a significant occurrence of the condition without a clear link to any chronic pathologic or digestive tract processes. The highest prevalence of ulcers was observed in young animals rather than foals or adults.
Gastrointestinal Health in Wild Equids
- The research focused on evaluating the presence of gastric ulcers, a common condition in domestic horses, in wild equids across six species.
- Among the 55 deaths that occurred in the reserve over seven years, the researchers managed to gather data on the condition of the gastric mucosa in 82% of the cases. They found a 64% prevalence of gastric ulcers in the studied animals.
- The condition of the gastric mucosa was analyzed through necropsy – a postmortem examination designed to determine the cause of the animal’s death and to study various diseases present.
Prevalence and Severity of Gastric Ulcers in Various Demographics
- The highest occurrences of ulcerations were noted in two specific species of the zebra: the Grant’s zebra and the Hartmann’s mountain zebra, at 83% and 100% respectively.
- Among the age demographics, young individuals between 3 and 36 months showed the highest prevalence of ulcers at 93%.
- Contrary to common findings in domestic foals, only one gastric ulceration was diagnosed out of 11 foals necropsied in the study.
- The least affected demographic was adult individuals with a lower prevalence of 74%, however, these individuals manifested deeper ulcers that often appeared hyperemic or inflammed.
Locality and Non-Correlation with Other Diseases
- All observed ulcers were located along the margo plicatus in the gastric, non-glandular, stratified squamous mucosa, a portion of an equid’s stomach lining.
- Despite the high prevalence, the research found no statistical correlation between the development of gastric ulcers and any ongoing, chronic pathologic processes or digestive tract pathologies.
Association with Enclosures
- The study identified significantly higher detection rates for gastric ulcers in wild equids kept in smaller enclosures. This observation suggests that stress caused by a lack of space could be a factor contributing to the development of the condition.
- To confirm this hypothesis and identify other potential risk factors for ulcer development in equids under human care, the researchers advocate for additional larger-scale research.
Cite This Article
APA
Lamglait B, Vandenbunder-Beltrame M, Trunet E, Lemberger K.
(2017).
DESCRIPTION OF GASTRIC ULCERS AND OF THEIR SUSPECTED, ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS IN DECEASED WILD EQUIDS AT THE RÉSERVE AFRICAINE DE SIGEAN, FRANCE (2010-2016).
J Zoo Wildl Med, 48(3), 668-674.
https://doi.org/10.1638/2016-0249.1 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Zoo
- Equidae
- Female
- France / epidemiology
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
- Risk Factors
- Species Specificity
- Stomach Ulcer / epidemiology
- Stomach Ulcer / pathology
- Stomach Ulcer / veterinary
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