The prevalence of gastric ulcers in foals has been reported to be as high as 50%. When mild, they do not seem to bother the foal and there are no clinical signs. Severe stomach ulcers in foals however cause serious disease of nursing foals and weanlings. Usually associated with infectious disease or a stressful environment the picture is one of a unthrfity appearing foal with chronic recurrent colic and a watery diarrhea. This article addresses the clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of gastric ulcers in foals.

In general the picture is one of a unthrfity appearing foal with watery diarrhea and usually chronic recurrent colic. Often there is a history of infectious illness prior to the onset of the ulcers. Symptoms of the colic include: laying down, laying on their backs, teeth grinding, and slobbering. Usually passing a nasogastric tube is very painful and may induce retching. Though the symptoms and presence of blood in the reflux and feces are very suggestive of ulcers confirmation is difficult. Fiberoptic scopes and contrast radiographs require experience, specialized equipment, and can be very stressful to the foal.

If the ulcers are not treated promptly they may healing with scar tissue that creates a stricture of the duodenum and result in chronic vomiting, colic, loss of appetite and aspiration pneumonia. Laboratory work may show decreased chloride and acidosis. Duodenal stricture is indicated if contrast medium does not fill the small intestine within 90 min, and small intestinal distention is absent.

If the ulcer perforates the stomach peritonitis results. Colic, abdominal swelling, rapid breathing, depression and shock and death follows rapidly.