Postmortem findings of gastric ulcers in Swedish horses older than age one year: a retrospective study of 3715 horses (1924-1996).

The research article is a retrospective study focused on evaluating the prevalence of gastric ulcers in Swedish horses and identifying potential risk factors using postmortem data from 1924 to 1996.

Objective of the Research

• This retrospective study aimed to estimate the prevalence of gastric ulceration in necropsied Swedish horses older than one year and identify possible risk factors.

Study Sample

• The researchers examined the postmortem findings of 3715 Swedish horses who died between 1924 and 1996, who were more than a year old. The cold-blooded horses and the Standardbreds were the majority of the population.

Data Collection

• Data on breed, gender, age, the season of death, clinical signs of colic, Gasterophilus larvae, and documentation of diseases in different organs were recorded for each horse.
• Data regarding the size, number, and anatomical distribution of gastric ulcers were also gathered.

Findings

• Gastric ulcers or erosions were evident in 17% (633) of the horses examined.
• Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds exhibited the highest prevalence, with 19% having gastric ulcers, while just 7% of the cold-blooded horses showed similar symptoms.
• The study found that the most commonly affected area was the cutaneous region along the margo plicatus, with a 52% occurrence rate.
• Among the horses with gastric ulcers, 62% had multiple ulcers and 6% also had concomitant ulcers in the oesophagus.

Statistical Analysis and Associations

• Bivariate analysis showed significant associations between gastric ulcers and signs of colic (P<0.001) and gender (P<0.001).
• Gastric ulcers were also significantly associated with concurrent bowel (P<0.001), liver (P<0.05), and oesophageal (P<0.01) lesions.
• Using a multivariate logistic regression model, year of necropsy and breed were found to significantly influence the risk of gastric ulceration by decreasing the Log Likelihood test value.

Conclusion

• The study confirms that gastric ulceration has been prevalent in Swedish horses throughout the 20th century, suggesting that this could be the situation globally as well.