This narrative review explores the etiopathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of ESGD (equine squamous gastric disease) and discusses the impact of this commonly encountered condition on the equine industry. ESGD refers specifically to peptic injury of the squamous mucosa of the stomach. Prevalence is highest in performance horses, but the disease has been documented across many breeds and ages, including in feral horses and foals. The pathogenesis of ESGD is well understood. Intensive management and exercise are important factors that contribute to a disruption of the normal stratification of gastric pH. This results in exposure of the vulnerable squamous mucosa to acid, leading to ulceration. Clinical signs are variable and there is little evidence to support a direct association between reported signs and the presence or absence of lesions seen on gastroscopy. Management is aimed at acid suppression and mitigation of known risk factors.

A 9-year-old Show Pony mare became acutely lame following removal of a bone sequestrum of the distal phalanx of the right thoracic limb. The mare also suffered from ongoing right dorsal colitis secondary to previous long-term non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) use. To avoid further NSAID use, a protocol for caudal epidural administration of morphine and detomidine in an increased volume was used to provide analgesia to the thoracic limbs. A total volume of 50 ml (0.2 ml/kg) was administered over approximately 90 seconds. Immediately following the injection, the pony collapsed into lateral recumbency, and experienced an apparent generalised seizure characterised by loss of consciousness and frantic paddling of all four limbs.The pony recovered rapidly without intervention and no residual neurological deficits were noted. The epidural analgesia resulted in a marked improvement in comfort levels. The speed of injection is thought to have caused a change in epidural and intracranial pressures resulting in a generalised seizure and highlights the importance of administering large volumes slowly.

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BackgroundSagittal plane slab fractures of the third carpal bone are a recognised injury in the racehorse. Currently no published data exist for the UK Thoroughbred racehorse population.ObjectivesTo document return to racing following sagittal slab fracture of the third carpal bone in a UK‐based racehorse population, and to compare conservative and surgical management.Study designSingle centre retrospective study.MethodsComputerised medical and racing records were searched over a 15‐year period for Thoroughbred racehorses with a simple sagittal slab fracture of the third carpal bone. Horses with comminuted fractures and short incomplete linear lucencies were excluded. Time from intervention to next race was recorded. Success rates were compared by Fisher's Exact Test and Mann‐Whitney U Test.ResultsForty‐seven horses, with 49 fractures met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 27 horses raced following injury (60%). Median time to first start was 251 days (115‐600, IQR 109). Fifteen horses with 16 fractures were managed conservatively. Seven horses (47%) raced, 115‐508 days following injury (median 240 days, IQR 306). Thirty horses underwent surgery; this involved placement of a single 3.5‐mm lag screw under arthroscopic guidance. Twenty horses (67%) raced again 145‐600 days following surgery (median 264 days, IQR 102). A higher proportion of horses managed surgically improved their Racing Post Rating (RPR) following injury (14/20), compared with those managed conservatively (1/7, P = .02).Main limitationsThe numbers of horses are small, particularly for those managed conservatively. Treatment was not randomly allocated, and as such several horses which underwent conservative management were subsequently retired for breeding.ConclusionsThis case series indicates that both arthroscopic repair and conservative management of sagittal slab fractures of the third carpal bone allows horses to successfully return to training and racing.

Liver disease in adult horses is commonly identified during investigation of non-specific clinical signs such as general malaise, lethargy or weight loss. In some cases, disease may be advanced and irreversible by the time a diagnosis is reached. Serum biochemistry and tests of liver function form an important part of diagnosing liver disease but provide limited information regarding aetiology, severity and prognosis. Liver biopsy is recommended in the majority of cases to confirm the presence of disease, to guide therapeutics and to provide information regarding prognosis.