Gastric ulcers in standardbred racehorses: prevalence, lesion description, and risk factors.
Abstract: This study was performed to estimate the prevalence of gastric ulcers in Standardbred racehorses, to describe the lesion score and location, and to identify potential risk factors. Two hundred seventy-five (275) Standardbred horses from 5 training centers and 2 racetracks in Quebec, Canada, were studied. Historical data for the 2 months before examination were recorded for each horse, and the presence of gastric ulcers was determined by gastroscopy. A previously reported scoring system that used grades 0-3 for gastric lesions was used. Overall, 121 horses (44.0%; 95% CI, 38.1-50.1%) had gastric ulcers. The prevalence of gastric ulcers was significantly higher (P < .0001) in actively racing horses (63.3%; 95% CI, 54.7-71.2%) than in horses at rest. Multivariate analysis defined that horses in racing (OR = 9.29; 95% CI, 3.55-24.3) were significantly more likely to have gastric ulcers than horses at rest and that trotters (OR = 2.23; 95% CI, 1.28-3.86) were more likely to have gastric ulcers than pacers. The number of lesion sites (P < .0001) and poor body condition (P < .0001) were significantly associated with lesion scores. Gastric ulcers are highly prevalent in Standardbred racehorses. Furthermore, actively racing horses and trotters are more likely to have gastric ulcers. Also, poor body condition in Standardbred racehorses may be an indication that gastric ulcers are present and that lesion scores are high. The cause-and-effect relationship between poor body condition and the presence of gastric ulcers is unclear.
Publication Date: 2003-04-10 PubMed ID: 12683624DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2003.tb02437.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research involves a study conducted to determine the frequency of gastric ulcers in Standardbred racehorses, describe the nature of these lesions, and uncover potential risk factors. The researchers found out that gastric ulcers are quite common in these horses, especially those actively racing or using a trotting gait, and those with poor body condition.
Background and Methodology
- The researchers conducted a detailed investigation to estimate the prevalence of gastric ulcers in Standardbred horse species. The study involved evaluating 275 Standardbred horses from 5 training centers and 2 racetracks situated in Quebec, Canada.
- Historical data for the two months preceding the examination was recorded for each horse, and the presence of gastric ulcers confirmed through gastroscopy.
- A previously implemented scoring system was used to grade the severity of the gastric lesions from 0 to 3.
Results of the Study
- Out of all the horses studied, 44% were found to have gastric ulcers, with a confidence interval of between 38.1% and 50.1%.
- The prevalence of gastric ulcers was notably higher in horses that were actively racing, with a percentage of 63.3% and a confidence interval between 54.7% and 71.2%. This exposure was significantly higher than in resting horses.
- A multivariate analysis delineated that horses in active racing were approximately nine times more likely to have gastric ulcers than resting horses.
- Trotters, horses that move with a particular type of gait, were over two times more likely to develop gastric ulcers compared to pacers, horses that move at a leisurely pace.
- The study also found out that there was a statistically significant association between poor body conditions, the number of lesion sites, and high lesion scores.
Implications and Conclusions
- The study concluded that gastric ulcers are highly prevalent in Standardbred racing horses, particularly those involved in active racing and trotting.
- Additionally, poor body condition could indicate the presence of gastric ulcers and associated high lesion scores.
- However, the exact relationship between poor body condition and the presence of gastric ulcers remains unclear and requires further research.
Cite This Article
APA
Dionne RM, Vrins A, Doucet MY, Paré J.
(2003).
Gastric ulcers in standardbred racehorses: prevalence, lesion description, and risk factors.
J Vet Intern Med, 17(2), 218-222.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2003.tb02437.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- From the Département de sciences cliniques, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Q, Canada. rachdionne@hotmail.com
MeSH Terms
- Aging
- Animals
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Housing, Animal
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
- Prevalence
- Risk Factors
- Stomach Ulcer / epidemiology
- Stomach Ulcer / pathology
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