Prevalence of gastric and duodenal ulceration in 691 nonsurviving foals (1995-2006).
Abstract: Gastric ulcer disease is reported to be a significant cause of morbidity in foals, but the prevalence of ulcers in this population has not recently been evaluated. Objective: To determine the prevalence of gastric and duodenal ulceration in nonsurviving foals, and the association of ulceration with the body system of primary diagnosis. Secondary objectives were to evaluate a potential association between age and ulcer prevalence and to evaluate the use of antacid medication in the neonatal hospital population during the study years. Methods: Necropsy records were searched for all equine accessions from 1995 to 2006. Foals aged from one day to 6 months were included. Year, age, breed, sex, diagnosis and the presence of glandular, nonglandularand/or duodenal ulceration were recorded. Diagnoses were divided into groups based on the body system of primary diagnosis, with multiple diagnoses possible. A computerised database was searched for antacid treatment of all neonatal admissions. Results: The overall prevalence of ulcers was 22%, with nonglandular ulcers predominating. Ulceration was significantly associated with gastrointestinal disease. There was no significant change in ulcer prevalence over time, although there was a significant decrease in the use of antacid medications in the later study years. Neonatal foals (< 1 month) had a lower ulcer prevalence than olderfoals. Conclusions: The prevalence of ulcers in foals, although low, has remained stable over time. Gastric or duodenal ulcers are associated with a primary diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease and are less prevalent in neonates. Conclusions: The prevalence of ulcers in nonsurviving foals is low. Foals with gastrointestinal disease are more likely to have ulcers than foals with other primary diagnoses, and older foals are more likely to have ulceration than neonates. The prevalence of ulceration did not appear to be related to hospital-wide antacid medication use in neonates.
Publication Date: 2012-05-19 PubMed ID: 22594031DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00449.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study investigates the prevalence of gastric and duodenal ulcers in non-surviving foals and studies any correlations between ulcer prevalence, age, body system diagnosis, and usage of antacids. The study found an overall ulcer prevalence of 22%, predominantly nonglandular ulcers, and a significant association with gastrointestinal disease. Despite a decrease in antacid usage, there was no significant change in ulcer prevalence.
Research Methodology
- The researchers examined necropsy records for all equine accessions from 1995 to 2006.
- The study included foals aged from one day to 6 months.
- Various characteristics like year, age, breed, sex, diagnosis, and the presence of glandular, nonglandular and/or duodenal ulceration were recorded.
- The diagnoses were categorized into groups based on the body system of primary diagnosis, considering that a foal could have multiple diagnoses.
- A dedicated computerized database was utilized to search for antacid treatment records of all neonatal admissions during the study years.
Research Findings
- The study revealed that the overall prevalence of ulcers in nonsurviving foals was 22%.
- Nonglandular ulcers were found to be more prevalent than the glandular ones.
- A significant correlation was found between the presence of ulceration and gastrointestinal disease.
- Despite fluctuations in the use of antacids over the studied period, ulcer prevalence did not show any significant change. Specifically, there was a notable decrease in the use of antacid medications in the later study years.
- Foals of less than one month (neonatal foals) had a lower prevalence of ulcers compared to older foals.
Conclusions from the research
- Although the prevalence of ulcers in foals isn’t widespread, it has remained stable over time.
- Gastric or duodenal ulcers possess a significant association with a primary diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease.
- In contrast to older foals, neonatal foals display less prevalent ulceration.
- There doesn’t appear to be a link between the prevalence of ulceration and the use of antacid medication in neonates in hospital settings.
Cite This Article
APA
Elfenbein JR, Sanchez LC.
(2012).
Prevalence of gastric and duodenal ulceration in 691 nonsurviving foals (1995-2006).
Equine Vet J Suppl(41), 76-79.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2011.00449.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Island Whirl Equine Colic Research Laboratory, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Duodenal Ulcer / epidemiology
- Duodenal Ulcer / pathology
- Duodenal Ulcer / veterinary
- Florida / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Prevalence
- Retrospective Studies
- Stomach Ulcer / epidemiology
- Stomach Ulcer / pathology
- Stomach Ulcer / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Hewetson M, Tallon R. Equine Squamous Gastric Disease: Prevalence, Impact and Management. Vet Med (Auckl) 2021;12:381-399.
- Wise JC, Raidal SL, Wilkes EJA, Hughes KJ. Intragastric pH of foals admitted to the intensive care unit. J Vet Intern Med 2020 Nov;34(6):2719-2726.
- Taylor S. A review of equine sepsis. Equine Vet Educ 2015 Feb;27(2):99-109.
- Hewetson M, Venner M, Volquardsen J, Sykes BW, Hallowell GD, Vervuert I, Fosgate GT, Tulamo RM. Diagnostic accuracy of blood sucrose as a screening test for equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) in weanling foals. Acta Vet Scand 2018 Apr 13;60(1):24.
- Fortin-Trahan R, Sjolin E, Lack A, de Arbina CL, McFadden-Bennett A, Wang L, Baird JD, Rikihisa Y, Arroyo LG. Diagnosis of Potomac horse fever (syn. equine neorickettsiosis) in 2 foals in southwestern Ontario. Can Vet J 2023 Dec;64(12):1129-1132.
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