Page 752 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

Grade 3: The stomach lining has large single or multiple ulcers.

Grade 4: The stomach lining has extensive ulcers, which often merge to give areas of deep
VetBooks.ir ulceration.

Grades of 2 or above are considered to be significant.

A grading system for equine glandular gastric disease has not yet been developed but they are

described as:

• localized or widespread
• mild, moderate or severe

• nodular, raised, flat or depressed

• reddened areas, bleeding ulcers or inflamed lesions with an accumulation of pus and
fibrin

Treatment

Treatment involves management changes and medication.

MANAGEMENT CHANGES

Management changes are an essential part of the treatment for horses with gastric ulceration.
Affected horses need:

• plenty of time at pasture (provided they are relaxed in the field)

• continuous access to forage if stabled

• a small amount of alfalfa or chaff prior to fast exercise can be helpful in reducing acid
splashing of the squamous mucosa

• reduced levels of grain and concentrates in the diet

• the addition of vegetable oil to the diet may help protect against EGGD
• minimal stress

• reduced levels of training if they are being worked more than 5 days a week

Unfortunately these recommendations are hard to achieve for racehorses and other elite

equine athletes, so medication is needed to help heal the ulcers and prevent recurrence. The
primary aim is to reduce gastric acidity by a combination of management changes and

medical treatment.