Gastric Ulcer Essay
Highly prevalent in the equine industry, gastric ulcers appear in sixty to ninety percent of horses depending on athletic demand, lifestyle, and age (Bell et al., 2007, Nadeau et al., 2003). While gastric ulcers primarily effect the un-protected, non-glandular region of the stomach, above the margo plicatus, they can appear in any area of the stomach (Nadeau et al., 2003; Videla and Andrews, 2009). An overall decrease in performance, weight loss, and colic are typical indications of gastric ulcer presence, although symptoms are often vague and may never manifest (Bell et al., 2007; Videla and Andrews, 2009). Gastric endoscopy is the only way to clinically diagnose gastric ulcers; however, veterinarians will also assess the horse’s history
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All of these aspects are risk factors for gastric ulcers through both physiological and emotional stress (Videla and Andrews, 2009). Due to the prevalence of gastric ulcers in the horse, extensive research concerning which aspect of equine nutrition has the most impact on this condition has been conducted. Of the above listed predisposing factors, intermittent feeding patterns are a common theme. The horse has evolved to eat several small meals throughout the day and continuously secrete hydrochloric acid into the stomach (Bell et al., 2007; Berschneider et al., 1999). Mastication stimulates saliva production, which acts as an acid buffer in the equine stomach. Food withdrawal results in a decrease of gastric pH via lack of saliva entering the stomach. It is hypothesized reduced digesta volume causes an excess splashing of gastric juice on the non-glandular region of the stomach. Subsequently, there is an increased likelihood of acid reaching the non-glandular region of the stomach and ulcer formation (Bell et al., 2007). Similarly, exercise is shown to induce ulcers in both feed and fasted horses (Lorenzo-Figueras and Merritt,
All of these aspects are risk factors for gastric ulcers through both physiological and emotional stress (Videla and Andrews, 2009). Due to the prevalence of gastric ulcers in the horse, extensive research concerning which aspect of equine nutrition has the most impact on this condition has been conducted. Of the above listed predisposing factors, intermittent feeding patterns are a common theme. The horse has evolved to eat several small meals throughout the day and continuously secrete hydrochloric acid into the stomach (Bell et al., 2007; Berschneider et al., 1999). Mastication stimulates saliva production, which acts as an acid buffer in the equine stomach. Food withdrawal results in a decrease of gastric pH via lack of saliva entering the stomach. It is hypothesized reduced digesta volume causes an excess splashing of gastric juice on the non-glandular region of the stomach. Subsequently, there is an increased likelihood of acid reaching the non-glandular region of the stomach and ulcer formation (Bell et al., 2007). Similarly, exercise is shown to induce ulcers in both feed and fasted horses (Lorenzo-Figueras and Merritt,