Diagnosis and therapeutic protocol in gastric ulcer syndrome in sport equine

Abstract

The interest in the study of equine gastric ulcer syndrome resides both from its negative effects on equine sport performance and from the difficulties in its diagnosis. Based on the location of the lesions, there are two distinct entities within equine gastric ulcer syndrome: equine squamous gastric disease and equine glandular gastric disease. Even though these two diseases have distinct etiopathogenesis, their clinical manifestations are similar, consisting of appetite loss, poor body conditions, bruxism, sialorrhea and abdominal pain expressed by colics of varying intensity. Therefore, the gastroscopy represents the optimal method for correctly diagnosing equine squamous gastric disease and equine glandular gastric disease, thus assuring a differentiated and efficient treatment.