A 12 year-old event horse presented for poor performance that was best described as unwilling to "go forward". The gelding was evaluated for lameness and was described as sound. The gelding maintained a good appetite and there were no signs of colic behavior reported. A gastroscopy was scheduled and the owner was instructed to fast the horse for 18 hours. When the gastroscope was passed into the stomach a large volume of fluid was present mixed with feed material. Approximately 3 liters of fluid was removed from the stomach in order to visualize the non-glandular compartment. The remaining fluid was filled with feed material and was not removed. However, a clear pattern of non-glandular ulceration was noted throughout the exposed stomach wall (Figures 1-3).
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| Figure 1 |
These ulcers appear full thickness thru the layer coating the inside of
the stomach and are evenly spread through out the stomach. We were not
able to visualize the glandular stomach or the pyloric region which may
be abnormal in this horse. The fact that the gelding's stomach was filled
with fluid and some feed after 18 hrs of fasting would suggest a delay
in gastric emptying which may be associated with inflammation of the
pyloric region. As such, this gelding will be treated with omeprazole
for the appropriate period of time. In addition, the horse will be
treated with a stomach coating medicine for the first 48 hrs to
alleviate any immediate discomfort due to the ulcerations.
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| Figure 2 |
This case presents yet another example of the types of clinical signs that may be associated with gastric ulcers. Classically we consider horses that have sings of colic, weight loss, poor appetite or failure to thrive. However, in my expereince, horses with gastric ulcers may present in many ways and this condition should be considered on our lists of differentials!!
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| Figure 3 |
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