Incidence of gastric ulcers in weanling foals and the treatment with Omeprazole

Abstract

EinleitungDas Absetzen der Fohlen von der Mutterstute, das in der Regel zwischen dem fünften und dem siebten Lebensmonat erfolgt, ist mit einem mannigfaltigen Wechsel des Lebensumfeldes verbunden. Die Änderung der Haltung, die Futterumstellung sowie eine neue Gruppenkonstellation mit daraus resultierender Neugliederung des Sozialgefüges sind sowohl mit physischem als auch mit psychischem Stress verbunden, der Wegbereiter für das Entstehen von Magengeschwüren bei 561 M. Dahlkamp et al. Pferdeheilkunde 28 Pferdeheilkunde 28 (2012) Incidence of gastric ulcers in weanling foals and the treatment with OmeprazoleThe aim of this study was To assess the prevalence of gastric ulcers and the development of bodyweight of weanling foals before and after weaning and to evaluate the effect of treatment with Omeprazole on gastric findings after weaning. Weanlings (n=79) (5 to 7.5 month) were examined in two subsequent studies with about 40 foals each. Each study had 2 randomly formed groups of 20 foals, a treatment group and a control group. In the first study (V1) the foals received Omeprazole-paste 2.2mg /kg bwt q 24 h by oral administration. Foals of the second study (V2) received 4mg/kg bwt q 24 h of Omeprazole-powder via feeding, to avoid the stress of daily catching and oral administration. The control groups remained untreated. On day T0 and day T14 after weanling the body condition score (BCS) and the bodyweight were determined and foals were gastroscopied. The nonglandular, glandular and the pyloric region were scored separately. There were no significant differences between groups regarding body weight and BCS. Of all 79 foals included in this studies 38 foals had gastric lesions in one or more gastric regions before weaning. Control foals of both studies showed significant worsening in the nonglandular portion 14 days after weaning (V1-control: T0-6 foals and T14-16 foals; V2-control: T0-7 foals and T14-15 foals). Both of treated groups showed significant worse findings in the glandular and/or pyloric region on day 14 (gl.reg.: 1 foal / pyl.: 0 foal before and gl.reg.: 9 / pyl.: 6 after weaning in the Omeprazole-paste-study and gl.reg.: 1 / pyl.: 1 before and gl.reg.: 3 / pyl.: 10 after weaning in the omeprazole-powderstudy). There was a significant improvement in the nonglandular portion besides a significant worsening in the glandular portion and the pylorus in the treated groups. Omeprazole at 4mg/kg bwt q 24 h via feeding is effective to prevent and treat lesions of the nonglandular portion. Nevertheless Omeprazole seems to be associated to inflammation of the mucosa in the pyloric region. Practical significance: For the time being generalised prophylactic use of Omeprazole in weanlings in the protocol used here cannot be recommended.

Effects of two alfalfa preparations with different particle sizes on the gastric mucosa in weanlings: alfalfa chaff versus alfalfa pellets

“…The prevalence of gastric ulcers in Thoroughbred racehorses is estimated to be >80 % in the squamous mucosa [ 1 ]. In weanlings it ranges between 32 and 94 % [ 2 , 3 ]. Risk factors for gastric mucosa lesions, specifically for equine squamous gastric ulcer disease, are stall confinement, strenuous exercise, transport stress in adult horses (as reviewed by Andrews and others [ 4 ]), and the weaning process in foals [ 2 , 3 ].…”

“…In weanlings it ranges between 32 and 94 % [ 2 , 3 ]. Risk factors for gastric mucosa lesions, specifically for equine squamous gastric ulcer disease, are stall confinement, strenuous exercise, transport stress in adult horses (as reviewed by Andrews and others [ 4 ]), and the weaning process in foals [ 2 , 3 ]. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been demonstrated to be a risk factor for the equine glandular region in adult horses and foals [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Der klinische Fall: Gastropathie bei einem Fohlen

“…Die Therapie sollte 3-4 Wochen durchgeführt werden, bevor eine gastroskopische Nachkontrolle erfolgt [6]. Die alleinige Applikation von Omeprazol bei Fohlen während des Absetzens konnte zeigen, dass zwar Läsionen der kutanen Schleimhaut eine signifikante Besserung zeigten, die glanduläre Schleimhaut hingegen signifikant mehr Ulzerationen aufwies [7], sodass die Autoren zu dem Schluss gelangten, dass eine prophylaktische Gabe von Omeprazol bei absetzbedingten Magenulzera nicht gerechtfertigt ist.…”

The impact of feeding a high-fibre and high-fat concentrated diet on the recovery of horses suffering from gastric ulcers

“…The prevalence of EGUS in foals ranges between 30 and 50% particularly in weanlings (Dahlkamp et al 2012). Before weaning, Dahlkamp et al (2012) found gastric ulcers in 38 out of 79 foals they examined. After weaning, the number of affected foals, as well as the severity, increased significantly.…”

“…In Canada, a study of 94 thoroughbred horses revealed EGUS in 74.5 % of the examined horses (Marques et al 2011). The prevalence of EGUS in foals ranges between 30 and 50% particularly in weanlings (Dahlkamp et al 2012). Before weaning, Dahlkamp et al (2012) found gastric ulcers in 38 out of 79 foals they examined.…”