Gastrointestinal ulcers in equine patients

Gastrointestinal ulcers in equine patients are common and can be classified based on location in colonic ulcers or right dorsal colitis and equine gastric ulcer syndrome. Both of these syndromes are associated with distinct clinical presentations, treatment strategies and prognosis. The diagnosis is based on the clinical history, gastroscopic examination findings, clinical signs, laboratory findings, and the patient’s response to altered diet and medical therapy. Effective treatment strategies for EGUS focus on increasing stomach pH by inhibiting or buffering gastric acid, which allows a permissive environment for ulcer healing, and environmental and dietary management. The presentation and clinical findings in foals is different from that in the adult horse and is frequently part of a syndrome known as gastroduodenal ulcer syndrome. Effective treatment strategies for right dorsal colitis focus on removing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), decreasing the bulk in the diet and other dietary modifications, reducing inflammation, coating and lubricating the colon, and decreasing environmental stress. Prevention of this condition requires long-term dietary and environmental management.