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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2024; 14(12); doi: 10.3390/ani14121806

Prevalence and Risk Factors for the Presence of Gastric Ulcers in Pleasure and Breeding Horses in Italy.

Abstract: Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD) and Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD) are two terms used to indicate the presence of lesions of the squamous and glandular mucosa of the stomach. Prevalences, pathophysiology, and risk factors are different, and the latter have been investigated in different populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of ESGD and EGGD in a cohort of pleasure, breeding, and retired horses in Italy. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to investigate such a diverse population of animals and the first one that includes a large number of animals in Italy. Gastroscopies were performed in 316 animals, with and without clinical signs of gastric ulcers, and a questionnaire about signalment, management, activity, and health was given to the owners or caretakers. Prevalence of ESGD was similar to the current literature reports in comparable populations, and the disease was associated with signalment, time with the current owner or caretaker, management (time and type of paddock, hay, and supplementary feed administered), and activity performed. In this population, EGGD was present in a lower percentage of animals and, of the parameters evaluated, was associated only with the signalment, while management does not seem to influence the development of lesions in the glandular mucosa in this population.
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Publication Date: 2024-06-17 PubMed ID: 38929425PubMed Central: PMC11201176DOI: 10.3390/ani14121806Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 article explores the causes and prevalence of two types of gastric disease in horses, Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD) and Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD). The study was conducted to collect data from a wide variety of horses in Italy through gastroscopies and questionnaires.

Objectives and Methodology of the Study

The main objective of the study was to discover the prevalence and risk factors associated with ESGD and EGGD in various categories of horses such as pleasure, breeding, and retired horses in Italy. The research claims to be the first to cover such a diverse range of animals and in a large sample size, including over 316 horses.

The study methodology included conducting gastroscopies and distributing questionnaires to the owners or caretakers of the horses. The gastroscopies were performed on horses both with and without clinical signs of gastric ulcers. The questionnaires aimed to gather information on the horse’s signalment, management practices, the animal’s activity, and overall health.

  • Signalment refers to the horse’s age, sex, and breed.
  • Management pertains to aspects like the time and type of paddock, the quality and type of hay and supplementary feed provided, and the duration of time spent with the current owner or caretaker.
  • Activity assesses the frequency and type of physical exertion.
  • Health evaluates the overall well-being of the horse, noting down any clinical signs of illness.

Findings of the Study

The study found similarities in the prevalence of ESGD as compared to existing literature for other populations. Factors influencing ESGD included the horse’s signalment, duration with the current caretaker, specific management practices, and the physical activity performed.

In comparison, EGGD was found in a lesser percentage of horses. From the evaluated parameters, EGGD was found to be associated only with the horse’s signalment. This infers that the management practices do not significantly influence the development of glandular mucosa lesions in this population.

Implication of the Study

The findings of this study offer valuable insights to horse owners, veterinarians, and horse caregivers. Recognizing factors influencing the development of these diseases can lead to the modification of management practices, potentially reducing the occurrence and impact of ESGD and EGGD in the horse population.

Cite This Article

APA
Busechian S, Bindi F, Orvieto S, Zappulla F, Marchesi MC, Nisi I, Rueca F. (2024). Prevalence and Risk Factors for the Presence of Gastric Ulcers in Pleasure and Breeding Horses in Italy. Animals (Basel), 14(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14121806

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 12

Researcher Affiliations

Busechian, Sara
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
Bindi, Francesca
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Orvieto, Simona
  • Independent Researcher, 06100 Perugia, Italy.
Zappulla, Francesco
  • Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL) Umbria 2, Viale Bramante 37, 05100 Terni, Italy.
Marchesi, Maria Chiara
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
Nisi, Irma
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
Rueca, Fabrizio
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
  • Sport Horse Research Center, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 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).
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