Equine Gastric Ulcerative Syndrome in a population of horses at Antioquia: Frequency and risk factors

Abstract

Background: Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) has been associated with duration of confinement, grain supplementation, exercise, stress, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and the gastric microbiome. On the other hand, limited information is available on the risk factors for EGUS in Colombia. Objective: To determine the frequency and risk factors for the presentation of EGUS in several municipalities of Antioquia. Methods: A total of 103 male and female horses were evaluated. Endoscopic samples from different portions of the stomach were taken and subjected to histopathological analysis. Information on management conditions for each animal was also obtained. Descriptive statistics, association analysis and logistic regression were performed. Results: A 69% of the animals presented at least one gastric lesion: 22.3% lesions in the squamous mucosa, 39.2% in the Margo plicatus (MP) and 48.9% in the glandular region. Diet was associated with the presentation of ulcers in the squamous mucosa (p = 0.003). MP ulceration was associated with concentrate feed consumption (p = 0.032). Conclusion: The EGUS frequency is 69%. Consumption of concentrate feed by horses in Antioquia is a critical factor for the development of ulcers in the stomach squamous and glandular regions.