Page 750 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

decreasing blood flow to the stomach lining, increasing acid secretion and disrupting the

protective mucus-bicarbonate barrier, leading to erosion of the stomach lining. This is the
VetBooks.ir equivalent of a chemical burn, which causes severe pain in some horses. However, it is now
questioned whether the use of NSAIDs at standard doses causes EGGD.

Clinical signs

It is possible for a horse with gastric ulceration to show no obvious clinical signs. However,
treatment of these horses may result in improved performance. The clinical signs can be

vague and non-specific but they include:
• Nervousness

• Aggression

• Increased sourness and irritability

• Crib-biting, wind-sucking or restlessness in the stable
• Biting at the flanks

• Poor appetite

• Loss of condition or difficulty maintaining weight

• Depression

• A dull, rough coat
• Teeth grinding

• Excessive salivation

• Lying down more than usual

• Intermittent colic

• Skin sensitivity – dislike of grooming, rugging, leg aids
• Pain on tightening the girth

• Poor performance with reluctance to go forwards

• Pain in the withers and back

Foals with ulcers are frequently colicky and spend periods of time lying on their backs

(Figure 17.4). Regular suckling helps to reduce gastric acidity; anything that interrupts this
leads to increased acidity. Foals are especially sensitive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory

medication. Extensive gastric ulceration in foals can cause diarrhoea.