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Australian veterinary journal2004; 81(4); 199-201; doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2003.tb11469.x

The prevalence and distribution of gastric ulceration in 345 racehorses.

Abstract: To report the prevalence and distribution of gastric ulceration within a group of racehorses and to describe the endoscopic appearance of gastric antrum and pyloric ulceration. Methods: Retrospective clinical study. Methods: Medical records from gastroscopic examinations of 345 racehorses (331 Thoroughbreds and 14 Standardbreds) were reviewed. Prevalence, distribution and severity of gastric ulcers were recorded. Lesions involving the squamous mucosa and the glandular mucosa of the antrum and pylorus were graded and compared. Results: Gastric ulceration was found in 86% of racehorses. The squamous mucosa around the margo plicatus was most commonly affected. The pylorus was examined in 175 horses and 47% were ulcerated. No association was found between presence of lesions of the squamous mucosa and those of the pylorus. Low correlation was found between grade and location of lesions, with the pyloric lesion score being significantly less than the squamous mucosal lesion score. Conclusions: Gastric ulceration was present in a large proportion of racehorses. The pylorus was also an important site of ulceration. There was no association between presence of lesion at one site and the other, although there was a low correlation between grade of lesion and location, with the pyloric ulcer grade being lower.
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Publication Date: 2004-04-15 PubMed ID: 15080440DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2003.tb11469.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 study presents the prevalence and distribution of gastric ulceration in racehorses, observing that a large proportion of the racehorses studied have gastric ulcers, with the squamous mucosa around the sheath being the most common location.

Methodology

  • The study was conducted as a retrospective clinical study, using the medical records of gastroscopic examinations of 345 racehorses including 331 Thoroughbreds and 14 Standardbreds.
  • The researchers recorded the prevalence, distribution, and severity of gastric ulcers. Lesions involving the squamous mucosa and the glandular mucosa were graded and compared.
  • The pylorus (the opening from the stomach into the duodenum) was examined in 175 horses.

Results

  • The study found gastric ulceration in 86% of racehorses, making it a prevalent condition among these animals.
  • The squamous mucosa around the sheath was the most commonly affected area.
  • Of the 175 horses in which the pylorus was examined, 47% were ulcerated.
  • The researchers did not find any association between the presence of lesions of the squamous mucosa and those of the pylorus.
  • There was a low correlation between the grade and location of lesions. However, it was noted that the pyloric lesion score was significantly less than the squamous mucosal lesion score.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that gastric ulceration was present in a large proportion of racehorses. The pylorus was also an important site of ulceration even though its lesion grade was lower.
  • There was no association found between the presence of lesion at one site and the other. Despite this, a low correlation existed between the grade of the lesion and its location.

Cite This Article

APA
Begg LM, O'Sullivan CB. (2004). The prevalence and distribution of gastric ulceration in 345 racehorses. Aust Vet J, 81(4), 199-201. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2003.tb11469.x

Publication

Australian veterinary journal
ISSN: 0005-0423
NlmUniqueID: 0370616
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 81
Issue: 4
Pages: 199-201

Researcher Affiliations

Begg, L M
  • Randwick Equine Centre, 3 Jane Street, Randwick, New South Wales 2031.
O'Sullivan, C B

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Female
    • Gastric Mucosa / pathology
    • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
    • Horse Diseases / pathology
    • Horses
    • Male
    • New South Wales / epidemiology
    • Prevalence
    • Pylorus / pathology
    • Retrospective Studies
    • Severity of Illness Index
    • Stomach Ulcer / epidemiology
    • Stomach Ulcer / pathology
    • Stomach Ulcer / veterinary

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