The prevalence and distribution of gastric ulceration in 345 racehorses.

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.