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The treatment of gastric ulceration in horses

Cynthia Donnellan BVSc Hons MMedvet, Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital, 45 Main street, Newlands, 7700, 021 6744090

Gastric ulceration is very common in working horses. Up to 90% of Thoroughbred racehorses in training, 67% of endurance and 60% of show horses are affected with gastric erosions or ulcerations.

The lining of the stomach of the horse is divided by the margo plicatus into the non- glandular squamous mucosa and the glandular mucosa. The glandular mucosa secrets hydrochloric acid and pepsinogen, but is protected from the effects of hydrochloric acid by a mucous and bicarbonate layer, rapid epithelial restitution, extensive capillary network and prostaglandin E production. The squamous epithelium lacks these protective factors and prolonged exposure to hydrochloric acid leads to ulceration. Gastric ulcers occur most commonly and are usually most severe at the lesser curvature near the margo plicatus where the squamous mucosa most frequently comes in contact with the acidic gastric content.

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