Does your horse show mild signs of colic or act slightly uncomfortable when traveling to shows? Is your foal acting strange? Some horses develop gastric ulcers when they are under stressful situations or for a variety of reasons. [emember_protected custom_msg=”Click here and register now to read the rest of the article!”]
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) has been used to describe gastric ulcer disease because it has many causes and is complicated in nature. Gastric ulcers are lesions in the mucosa of the horse’s stomach. More precisely, they can occur in the distal esophagus, non-glandular (squamous area) and glandular stomach, and proximal duodenum of the horse.
Diagnosis of EGUS is based on clinical signs and with an endoscopic exam. If you notice any of the signs listed below, please contact your veterinarian. There is FDA-approved medication that can heal your horse and bring back the personality you love.
Signs of gastric ulcers in horses
In foals, signs of gastric ulcers include:
• Intermittent colic, often after nursing or eating
• Poor appetite and nursing for only very short periods
• Teeth grinding
• Excessive salivation
• Diarrhea
• Lying on the back
In adult horses, signs of gastric ulcers include:
• Poor performance
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss and poor body condition
• Poor hair coat
• Mild colic
• Mental dullness or attitude changes
• Lying down more than normal
For answers to other frequently asked questions, visit our website at www.PolkEquine.com. If you have a question of your own, just give us a call at (863) 287-8413.
CREDITS
by DR. KATIE HENNESSY
BIO: Dr. Katie Hennessy graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 with a degree in large animal health and equine medicine. After completing an advanced internship and working as an Associate Veterinarian, she is currently practicing at Polk Equine, LLC. Her expertise ranges from small and exotic creatures to large animals, specializing in equine medicine. [/emember_protected]