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Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Vet Scand / Endoscopic findings of the stomach in pleasure horses in Pol...
Acta veterinaria Scandinavica2013; 55(1); 45; doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-55-45

Endoscopic findings of the stomach in pleasure horses in Poland.

Abstract: This study was performed to determine the prevalence of ulcers in the gastric squamous and glandular mucosa in Polish pleasure horses. Methods: Medical records from gastroscopic examinations of 108 pleasure horses of different breeds were reviewed. The study population consisted of two groups; group I (n = 48) with horses that expressed mild clinical signs of gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) including poor appetite, slight weight loss or poor body condition, and group II (n = 60) with horses that had no signs of gastrointestinal problems. The age range was 4-10 years, including 5 males, 34 castrated males (geldings) and 69 mares. The prevalence, distribution and severity of gastric ulcers were recorded. Lesions involving the squamous mucosa and the glandular mucosa of the antrum and pylorus were graded and compared between groups. Results: Significant difference was found in the presence and severity of gastric ulcers between the two groups of horses. The overall prevalence of gastric ulcers in the first group of horses (n = 48) was 59% while in the group of clinically healthy horses (n = 60) the prevalence of gastric lesion was 40% (P = 0.004). Almost 19% of horses from group I had between 6-10 lesions (EGUS score III) and nearly 19% had either >10 localized lesions or very large diffuse lesions (EGUS number score IV). The number of ulcerations in affected horses were significantly lower in group II compared to group I (P = 0.016) as 10% of horses had 6-10 lesions (EGUS number score III) and nearly 14% had either >10 localized lesions or very large diffuse lesions (EGUS number score IV). Gastroscopy revealed that nearly 32% of horses from the second group had an ulceration EGUS score ≥ II. Conclusions: This study confirms that gastric ulcerations can be prevalent in apparently clinically normal pleasure horses and a complete gastroscopic examination including the examination of the pylorus is advisable to evaluate this syndrome.
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Publication Date: 2013-06-07 PubMed ID: 24044656PubMed Central: PMC3680328DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-55-45Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 examines the frequency and severity of stomach ulcers in leisure horses in Poland, comparing those that showed mild symptoms of gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) with those that showed no symptoms. The findings revealed a higher prevalence of stomach ulcers among the horses that showed mild symptoms, though ulcers were also present in healthy-seeming horses to a lesser degree.

Methodology

  • The research was based on a review of the medical records from gastroscopic examinations of 108 pleasure horses of diverse breeds.
  • The horses were divided into two groups; the first group (n = 48) comprised horses with mild signs of EGUS, such as a poor appetite, slight weight loss, or poor body condition. The second group (n = 60) had horses that exhibited no signs of gastrointestinal problems.
  • The age of the horses ranged from 4 to 10 years, and the study population included 5 males, 34 castrated males (geldings), and 69 mares.
  • The distribution, severity, and prevalence of stomach ulcers in both groups were recorded.
  • The study also compared and graded lesions found in the squamous and the glandular mucosa of the antrum and pylorus.

Results

  • The study found a significant difference in both the presence and severity of gastric ulcers between the two groups of horses.
  • In the first group of horses, the overall prevalence of gastric ulcers was 59%, while in the seemingly healthy group, it was 40%.
  • Closer inspection revealed that almost 19% of horses from group I had between 6-10 lesions (EGUS score III) and nearly the same percentage had either >10 localized lesions or very large diffuse lesions (EGUS number score IV).
  • Even though fewer horses in the healthy group were affected by ulcers, around 32% still had lesions with an EGUS score greater than or equal to II.

Conclusion

  • The research confirms that gastric ulcers are commonly found in horses used for leisure, including those deemed clinically healthy.
  • This suggests that a comprehensive gastroscopic exam is advisable in order to thoroughly evaluate this syndrome, as it also includes the examination of the pylorus, which is often overlooked in a typical veterinary inspection.
  • Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and early detection of EGUS in maintaining the health of leisure horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Niedźwiedź A, Kubiak K, Nicpoń J. (2013). Endoscopic findings of the stomach in pleasure horses in Poland. Acta Vet Scand, 55(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-55-45

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 1751-0147
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 1
Pages: 45

Researcher Affiliations

Niedźwiedź, Artur
  • Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 47, Wrocław 50-366, Poland. artur.niedzwiedz@up.wroc.pl
Kubiak, Krzysztof
    Nicpoń, Józef

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horse Diseases / pathology
      • Horses
      • Male
      • Poland / epidemiology
      • Stomach Ulcer / diagnosis
      • Stomach Ulcer / epidemiology
      • Stomach Ulcer / pathology
      • Stomach Ulcer / veterinary

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      Citations

      This article has been cited 11 times.
      1. Busechian S, Di Salvo A, Orvieto S, Rueca F, Villella C, Sollevanti G, Pieramati C, Nisi I, Della Rocca G. Changes in Fitness Parameters in Ridden Trained Showjumping Horses After Healing of Gastric Ulcers: Preliminary Results. Vet Sci 2025 Dec 21;13(1).
        doi: 10.3390/vetsci13010009pubmed: 41600665google scholar: lookup
      2. Zhou K, Dong Z, Zhou X, Zhai B, Li B, Zhang J, Cheng F. The Prevalence of Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in 395 Horses in Jiangyin City, China, Jiangsu Province. Animals (Basel) 2024 Dec 17;14(24).
        doi: 10.3390/ani14243636pubmed: 39765539google scholar: lookup
      3. Busechian S, Bindi F, Orvieto S, Zappulla F, Marchesi MC, Nisi I, Rueca F. Prevalence and Risk Factors for the Presence of Gastric Ulcers in Pleasure and Breeding Horses in Italy. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 17;14(12).
        doi: 10.3390/ani14121806pubmed: 38929425google scholar: lookup
      4. Busechian S, Bindi F, Pieramati C, Orvieto S, Pisello L, Cozzi S, Ortolani F, Rueca F. Is There a Difference in the Prevalence of Gastric Ulcers between Stallions Used for Breeding and Those Not Used for Breeding?. Animals (Basel) 2024 May 22;14(11).
        doi: 10.3390/ani14111531pubmed: 38891578google scholar: lookup
      5. Muñoz-Prieto A, Contreras-Aguilar MD, Cerón JJ, Ayala de la Peña I, Martín-Cuervo M, Eckersall PD, Holm Henriksen IM, Tecles F, Hansen S. Changes in Calprotectin (S100A8-A9) and Aldolase in the Saliva of Horses with Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome. Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 16;13(8).
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