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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can Vet J / Primary gastric rupture in 47 horses (1995-2011).
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2015; 56(9); 953-958; doi: 10.1177/0300985814556780

Primary gastric rupture in 47 horses (1995-2011).

Abstract: The purpose of this retrospective case-control study was to identify factors associated with primary gastric rupture and to investigate if there were differences between etiologies of primary gastric rupture. Compared to the general colic population, Quarter horses were under-represented and Friesians and draft breeds were over-represented in 47 cases of primary gastric ruptures. Horses with primary gastric rupture typically presented with severe clinical and clinicopathological derangements. There were 24 idiopathic gastric ruptures, 20 gastric impaction associated ruptures, and 3 perforating gastric ulcers. Thoroughbred horses were over-represented in the idiopathic gastric rupture group compared to other breeds and etiologies. This study suggests the presence of important breed predispositions for development of gastric rupture. Further study is necessary to identify if these predispositions are associated with management factors or breed-specific disorders. Rupture gastrique primaire chez 497 chevaux (1995–2011). Le but de cette étude rétrospective de cas témoins était d’identifier les facteurs associés à la rupture gastrique primaire et de faire une enquête afin de déterminer s’il y avait des différences entre les étiologies de la rupture gastrique primaire. Comparativement à la population générale de coliques, les chevaux Quarter horse étaient sous-représentés et les Frisons et les races de trait étaient surreprésentées dans 47 cas de ruptures gastriques primaires. Les chevaux atteints de rupture gastrique primaire étaient présentés avec de graves dérangements cliniques et clinicopathologiques. Il y avait 24 ruptures gastriques idiopathiques, 20 ruptures associées à l’impaction gastrique et 3 perforations ulcéreuses gastriques. Les chevaux pur-sang étaient surreprésentés dans le groupe des ruptures gastriques idiopathiques comparativement à d’autres races et étiologies. Cette étude suggère la présence de prédispositions importantes des races pour le développement de la rupture gastrique. De nouvelles études sont nécessaires pour identifier si ces prédispositions sont associées aux facteurs de gestion ou à des troubles spécifiques aux races.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).
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Publication Date: 2015-09-09 PubMed ID: 26345205PubMed Central: PMC4535512DOI: 10.1177/0300985814556780Google 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.

The study reviews a set of past cases to discern potential factors linked to a horse’s likelihood of experiencing a primary gastric rupture, focusing on potential breed predispositions, clinical presentations, and distinct etiologies. The study uncovers differences across horse breeds in prevalence of the condition, differentiating between idiopathic gastric ruptures, gastric impaction associated ruptures, and perforating gastric ulcers.

Overview of the Research

  • This study is a retrospective one, meaning it analyzes past data to gather insights.
  • A total of 47 cases of primary gastric ruptures in horses have been examined from 1995 to 2011.
  • The main objective was to identify factors associated with primary gastric rupture and explore if there are differences between causes (etiologies) of primary gastric rupture.

Breed Prevalences and Gastric Rupture

  • The research indicates that prevalence of gastric rupture varied among different breeds of horses.
  • Quarter horses were less common among the general colic population in the conducted study, whereas Friesians and draft breeds were over-represented.
  • In particular, thoroughbred horses were over-represented in the group with idiopathic gastric rupture compared to other breeds and causes.

Classification of Gastric Ruptures

  • Gastric ruptures were categorized into idiopathic gastric ruptures (24 cases), gastric impaction associated ruptures (20 cases), and perforating gastric ulcers (3 cases).
  • Horses with primary gastric rupture usually displayed severe clinical and clinicopathological disturbances.

Implications and Future Research Directions

  • This study implies that the breed of a horse could significantly influence the development of gastric rupture.
  • Due to these findings, further research is needed to determine whether these predispositions are associated with factors regarding the management of the breed, breed-specific disorders, or other yet unidentified factors.

Cite This Article

APA
Winfield LS, Dechant JE. (2015). Primary gastric rupture in 47 horses (1995-2011). Can Vet J, 56(9), 953-958. https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985814556780

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 56
Issue: 9
Pages: 953-958

Researcher Affiliations

Winfield, Laramie S
  • Steinbeck Country Equine Clinic, Salinas, California 93908, USA (Winfield); Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA (Dechant).
Dechant, Julie E
  • Steinbeck Country Equine Clinic, Salinas, California 93908, USA (Winfield); Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California 95616, USA (Dechant).

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horse Diseases / genetics
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stomach Rupture / pathology
  • Stomach Rupture / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Tharwat M, Al-Sobayil F. Equine colic: A comprehensive overview of the sonographic evaluation, diagnostic criteria, and management of different categories. Open Vet J 2025 Mar;15(3):1116-1139.
    doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i3.5pubmed: 40276205google scholar: lookup
  2. Saey V, Tang J, Ducatelle R, Croubels S, De Baere S, Schauvliege S, van Loon G, Chiers K. Elevated urinary excretion of free pyridinoline in Friesian horses suggests a breed-specific increase in collagen degradation. BMC Vet Res 2018 Apr 25;14(1):139.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-018-1454-8pubmed: 29699546google scholar: lookup
  3. Bergstrom TC, Sakai RR, Nieto JE. Catastrophic gastric rupture in a horse secondary to psyllium pharmacobezoars. Can Vet J 2018 Mar;59(3):249-253.
    pubmed: 29599554
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