What are gastric ulcers?
It is an erosion of the stomach wall, caused by excessive exposure to acid produced in the stomach.
They can vary from a mild area of inflammation to a nasty deep erosion of the wall that spontaneously bleed!
‘Gastric juice’ in the stomach is made up of acid and digestive enzymes that can overpower the protective mechanisms the stomach has in place to protect itself from damage.
What are the symptoms?
Horses with ulcers can display a range of signs including mild recurrent colic, behaviour changes, loss of appetite or preference to certain food types, poor performance and weight loss.
We diagnose ulcers using a gastroscope. This involves passing a camera via the nose into the horses stomach. This is done whilst the horse is sedated. This allows us to look directly at the stomach wall to identify any ulcers!
Have a look at the 4 images in the picture. The top 2 photos are of a healthy stomach with no ulcers. The bottom 2 images show some nasty ulcers!
If your horse is displaying any of these symptoms please feel free to contact the office on 01977652280 to discuss it with us.
*Covid-19 Update*
We are trying to do our best for our clients to ensure the health and welfare of their horses
Winter coughs in horses who are stabled
Winter coughs in horses who are stabled is usually down to dust particles and fungal spores….
Overnight Care
The Equine Veterinary Centre is not a hospital and hence is not staffed 24 hours a day