Stomach Ulcers in Horses: Symptoms and Treatments

Does your horse have a crabby attitude? Is your horse losing body condition in spite of excellent feed? Or is your horse refusing feed? Maybe you've noticed less manure production or dealt with acute colic episodes. These are some of the symptoms of gastric or stomach ulcers in horses. Today's modern horse tends to live a life of high stress training, confinement and eats a diet of largely carbohydrates with low proportions of roughage. While %70 -%100 of horses examined by endoscope (a small camera on a tube sent down a horse's esophagus) show signs of ulceration or erosion and possible sloughing of the surface layers of stomach tissue, even fewer show outward symptoms associated with the condition.

For all horse owners this means taking a careful look at behavior along with lifestyle to determine whether or not ulcers may be a culprit in your horse's poor performance or health. Horses who are able to graze on lower quality high roughage foods can accommodate the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Horses who eat large and infrequent meals which are both rich in nutrients and low on roughage content will find their digestive system overloaded with gastric acids. These acids without the buffering effects of nearly continual presence of fiber will gradually eat away at stomach lining. When ulcers persist to the point of bleeding, anemia may set in as well.

If you suspect ulcers in your horse, there are two methods of diagnosis. One is endoscopic examination. After having the horse fast for a period of about 12 hours the veterinarian will place a tube with a camera on the end down the horse's esophagus to look for signs of lesions associated with stomach ulcers. If present, the veterinarian will prescribe a course of medication and may also indicate a lifestyle change. The other common method is simply to treat for the ulcers via lifestyle modification and medication.

The most common medication for stomach ulcers in horses is Omeprazole, sold as Gastroguard. The human version is Prilosec. This type of medication shuts down some of the cells ability to produce the hydrochloric acid reducing the amount of acid in the system while the ulcer is given some time to heal. Other courses of treatment oral antacids like Mylanta or Maalox which neutralize acids already produced. Medications known as H2 blockers are sometimes used. These drugs compete with histamines produced in the body that would normally stimulate cells to produce acid. Through their action, they also reduce the amount of acid secreted by the body while the stomach ulcer in the horse heals. Cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac) and famotidine (Pepcid AC) are examples of H2 blockers veterinarians might call upon in treating stomach ulcers in horses. At this time, Omeprazole is the only drug approved by the FDA for use in horses with gastric ulcers. Costs of the drug for an average horse range from $40 -$60 dollars per day with 28 days being the recommended course of treatment.

The most economical method of dealing with ulcers in horses is prevention. Veterinarians recommend mimicking the natural lifestyle of the horse as much as possible by providing daily access to turnout, frequent small meals that are high in roughage, and reducing stress in training and travel schedules. For high performance equine athletes this may mean providing some medical intervention. Low doses of Omeprazole have been shown to stave off ulcers and many riders with horses on rigorous training and competitive schedules keep their horses on medication as a precautionary measure. Ultimately, horse owners must stay attentive to the behavior of their horses to look for the often subtle signs that pain related to stomach ulcers is to blame. Through careful management practices and medication, stomach ulcers in horses can be dealt with. For long term health however, owners may have to adjust their horse keeping strategies to prevent ulcers from recurring.

Sources:

http://www.tufts.edu/vet/sports/ulceration.html

http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/health/illnesses_injuries/eqhorseulc217/