Gastroduodenal ulceration in foals.
Abstract: Gastroduodenal ulceration is becoming recognised as an important disease in foals during the first few months of life. Aetiopathogenesis is presumed to be similar to peptic disease in humans associated with back diffusion of hydrogen ions into the mucosa. Many factors have been incriminated as predisposing foals to ulceration but few have been proven. To date, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents has been the only documented cause of gastroduodenal ulceration in foals. The clustering of affected foals on certain farms suggests an infectious aetiology but attempts to identify a causative organism have been unsuccessful. Four clinical syndromes defined for foals with gastroduodenal ulceration include: silent ulcers, which occur most often in the non-glandular stomach along the margo plicatus and are identified as incidental findings at necropsy; active ulcers which are often manifested by abdominal pain, excessive salivation and bruxism; perforating ulcers which usually result in a severe, diffuse peritonitis; and pyloric or duodenal obstruction from a healing ulcer. General approaches to therapy of a foal with active ulceration consist of reduction of gastric acidity and enhancement of mucosal protection. Antacids and type 2 histamine receptor antagonists are used most often to neutralise or decrease acid secretion, respectively. Sucralfate, a locally active sulphated sucrose preparation, is commonly used as a cytoprotective agent. The efficacy and safety of many products used have not been evaluated adequately in foals. Perforating ulcers are usually associated with death or humane destruction of the foal because of fulminating peritonitis. Surgical intervention and bypass procedures are indicated in foals that develop pyloric or duodenal obstructions from healing ulcers.
Publication Date: 1986-07-01 PubMed ID: 3758011DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1986.tb03638.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article explores the disease of gastroduodenal ulceration in foals and studies its causes, symptoms, and treatment methods. It suggests that foals are predisposed to this condition but the exact reasons are yet to be proven except for the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. The paper also indicates possible infectious causes due to the clustering of cases in certain farms.
Aetiology and Pathogenesis
- The study reveals that gastroduodenal ulceration in foals during the initial few months of life is emerging as a significant disease.
- Variables incriminated as predisposing factors are many, but only a few have been substantiated. The only proven cause so far is the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Certain farms with a higher number of affected foals suggest the possibility of an infectious cause, but a causal organism has yet not been successfully identified.
Clinical Syndromes of Gastroduodenal Ulceration
- The paper defines four clinical syndromes for foals suffering from gastroduodenal ulcerations:
- Silent ulcers: These are usually found in the non-glandular stomach along the margo plicatus and are discovered as incidental findings at autopsies
- Active ulcers: These are accompanied by symptoms like abdominal pain, excessive salivation, and bruxism, which is grinding or gnashing of the teeth
- Perforating ulcers: These result in severe, widespread peritonitis, a serious inflammation of the abdominal linings
- Pyloric or duodenal obstruction: This is caused by a healing ulcer leading to an obstruction in the pylorus (the lower part of the stomach) or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine)
Treatment Approaches
- General treatment methods for active ulceration in foals involve lowering gastric acidity and enhancing mucosal protection.
- Antacids and Type 2 histamine receptor antagonists are used to neutralize or reduce acid secretion.
- Sucralfate, a locally acting sulphated sucrose preparation, is utilized as a cytoprotective agent for the treatment.
- However, the safety and efficiency of several products used for treatment have not been adequately assessed in foals.
- In the case of perforating ulcers, the foal often dies or is humanely put to rest due to aggressive peritonitis.
- For foals with pyloric or duodenal obstructions caused by a healing ulcer, surgical interventions and bypass procedures are suggested.
Cite This Article
APA
Becht JL, Byars TD.
(1986).
Gastroduodenal ulceration in foals.
Equine Vet J, 18(4), 307-312.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1986.tb03638.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Peptic Ulcer / diagnosis
- Peptic Ulcer / drug therapy
- Peptic Ulcer / pathology
- Peptic Ulcer / veterinary
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