Page 751 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse
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Figure 17.4 Foals with gastic ulcers may be colicky and lie on their backs
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of gastric ulceration can be suspected from the clinical signs or response to
treatment, but can only be confirmed by gastrointestinal endoscopy. A long endoscope
(gastroscope) is needed and the horse has to be starved for up to 16 hours beforehand so that
the ulcers are not obscured from view by food material in the stomach. The procedure is
performed in the standing, sedated horse. If the lesions have not healed within 3 months then
biopsy of the affected area may be performed.
Grading of Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD)
A grading system has been developed for squamous gastric ulcers so their severity can be
recorded and reassessed on subsequent examinations:
Grade 0: stomach lining intact. No reddening or ulceration.
Grade 1: Stomach lining intact with areas of reddening.
Grade 2: Small, single or multiple ulcers of the stomach lining.
