Prophylaxis and treatment of gastric ulcers syndrome in horses

K. Kubiak, M. Jankowski, J. Spuzak, A. Nied?wied?, J. Nicpon, V. Vlizlo, K. Michlik, M. Grzegory, I. Maksymovych

For several years, we observe a higher frequency of gastric ulcers in horses (Equine Gastric Ulcus Syndrome - EGUS), regardless of age, gender and race. Increased frequency of recognition of this condition, is probably associated with the introduction of diagnostic endoscopy, which allows for accurate inspection of initial gastrointestinal tract [6, 20]. Underlying reason of the formation of ulcers in the stomach mucosa, are wrong nutrition, stressful training and administration of antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with low selectivity [1-3, 14, 15]. According to reports by various authors, the prevalence of gastric ulcers can reach even 90 % in adult horses, especially those used in sports [6, 12, 19]. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment is able to completely normalize the state of gastric mucosa. The most frequently used drugs are proton pump inhibitors, but in foals due to the slightly different pathomechanism in formation of gastric ulcers, may not be sufficient [8].

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