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  Discussion on Timing of gastric ulcer development at shows
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DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 5, 2005 - 9:41 am:

Here is a interesting report that observes horses in show or possibly some breeding environments and looks at how fast does it take for ulcers to begin to develop or worsen. This study finds significant changes at 6 days. Should we be using ulcer preventive regimens on all horses going to shows? It has become pretty standard for race horses? For more on cause and prevention see article Gastric Ulcers in Adult Horses.
DrO

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2005 Sep 1;227(5):775-7.
Gastric ulcer development in horses in a simulated show or training environment.
McClure SR, Carithers DS, Gross SJ, Murray MJ.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether conditions representing activities that are typical in the recreational use of horses, including transport to and from show grounds, stall confinement in unfamiliar surroundings, and light exercise, are associated with increased incidence of gastric ulcers in horses. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. ANIMALS: 20 client-owned horses. PROCEDURE: Horses had no gastric ulcers as determined by endoscopic examination on study day -1. Ten control horses were maintained on-site with no changes in management variables. Ten horses were transported via trailer for 4 hours on day 0 to another site, placed in individual stalls, fed twice daily, and exercised twice daily for 3 days. On day 4, they were transported back to the original site via trailer for 4 hours. On day 5, endoscopic examinations were performed on all horses to assess gastric mucosa status. RESULTS: Horses that were transported and housed off-site had a significantly higher incidence of hyperkeratosis and reddening of the gastric mucosa than control horses. Two control horses and 7 transported horses developed gastric ulcers by day 5. Ulcer scores of transported horses increased significantly from day -1, whereas ulcer scores in control horses did not change significantly from day -1. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Activities that are typical in recreational use of horses were ulcerogenic, and ulcers in the gastric squamous mucosa can develop under these conditions within 6 days.
Member:
Redalert

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 5, 2005 - 3:59 pm:

You are the BEST, DrO ... keeping up with ulcer research is SOO IMPORTANT TO ME! I am getting ready to transport a horse to New Mexico from Georgia, and had been wondering about research in the area of show horses and ulcer development. I think we will just start him on Omeprazole the day he leaves and keep him on it until we return from the show! VERY INTERESTING STUDY ... THANKS for keeping us up to date with relevant literature.
Nancy
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