Is There a Difference in the Prevalence of Gastric Ulcers between Stallions Used for Breeding and Those Not Used for Breeding?

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is a worldwide disease, and includes two different syndromes, Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD), affecting the squamous mucosa, and Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD), affecting the glandular mucosa. These two diseases are present in different categories (different activities, ages, etc.) and breeds of horses. The effect of sex on gastric health is not clear: some studies found a higher prevalence of ESGD in geldings and stallions, while others found no influence of sex on the squamous mucosa. The few studies conducted on glandular diseases failed to identify sex as a risk factor. The only study on breeding horses, focused on Thoroughbred mares at pasture, found that 70% of them were affected by gastric ulcerations especially in the squamous mucosa. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of EGUS, ESGD, and EGGD in intact males while also investigating the potential influences of breeding and exercise activity on the occurrence and severity of the diseases. A total of 101 intact males were admitted for gastroscopic examination. Comprehensive data regarding their breeding and sports history, management, and presence of clinical signs were recorded. A statistical analysis was performed. Within this equine population, no discernible relationship was found between breeding activity and occurrence and severity of ESGD or EGGD. Exercise and a combination of exercise and breeding activities were found to be associated with the occurrence of EGGD. The presence of clinical signs was correlated only with the grade of ESGD in this cohort of horses.

Ureteral Endoscopy to Detect Upper Urinary Tract Diseases in Horses.

Ureteral endoscopy is a routine procedure in human medicine, whereas the reports of this procedure on horses are few and far between. The aim of this paper is to describe the endoscopic technique to evaluate the ureters in standing, sedated horses. An endoscopy of the ureters and lower urinary tract was performed using flexible endoscopes on 4 horses, 3 mares and one gelding. The animals were sedated with alpha-2-agonists and an epidural anaesthesia was given. An endoscopy of the ureter in the horse is easy to perform, causes the animal no adverse effects and could provide significant information on the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases of the urinary tract.

Diagnostic and Clinical Course of Small Colon Recurrent Impaction Associated with Severe Myenteric Ganglionopathy in A Mare.

A 10-year-old Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland (KWPN, Netherlands-based organization for registration of the Dutch Warmblood horses) mare was evaluated three times over four months because of recurrent colic. At every referral, a physical examination revealed a small colon impaction, which partially responded to food deprivation and oral administration of water and magnesium sulphate. Due to the recurrent nature of the small colon impaction, several differential diagnoses were considered: inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), chronic salmonellosis and myenteric ganglionopathies. At first admission, an exploratory laparotomy was proposed, but the owner declined. On the second hospitalisation, the mare underwent a standing exploratory laparoscopy, but no abnormality related to the small colon was detected and resolved with a soap-based enema. At the third hospitalisation, the owner agreed to the exploratory laparotomy, which allowed surgical biopsies of the caecum and the large and small colon. Lymphomonocytic enteritis and mild myenteric ganglionitis were diagnosed. After laparotomy, the mare regularly fed and defecated, but a few days later, tachycardia, fever and abundant gastric reflux occurred. As the clinical condition rapidly deteriorated, the owner elected for euthanasia. A post-mortem histological examination showed severe chronic lymphocytic enterocolitis and typhlitis associated with the marked depletion of myenteric ganglion bodies. Small colon impaction is a very common disorder of the small colon in horses. In the presence of myenteric ganglionopathies, this case proposes the controversial matter of primary or secondary disorders of enteric neuromuscular function as the base of repeated small colon impactions of the horse. In this mare, recurrent small colon impaction was considered secondary to severe myenteric ganglionopathy associated with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction.

Successful Surgical and Medical Management of a Pararectal Abscess in a Horse.

Pararectal abscesses are life-threatening conditions that can rupture and cause septic peritonitis. The objective of this case report is to describe aggressive treatment of a pararectal abscess to allow a quick return to competitions. A 14-year-old pony was admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of the University of Perugia because of a suspected intra-abdominal mass. Two weeks earlier, it exhibited clinical signs compatible with colic which was treated medically; however, because of the persistence of a firm mass on the right side of the abdomen noted on rectal palpation, the pony was admitted to the VTH. Based on rectal palpation, rectal ultrasound, neutrophilic leukocytosis, hyperfibrinogenemia, and elevated alkaline phosphatase, the diagnosis of a pararectal abscess was made. The horse was treated with ceftiofur IM and MgSO4/paraffin oil via a nasogastric tube. Standing surgical drainage of the abscess with placement of an indwelling drain was performed, followed by daily lavages with rifampicin and acetylcysteine along with Ringer lactate solution with subsequent passive drainage. A bacterial culture revealed the presence of Streptococcus zooepidemicus that was treated with oral rifampicin. Standing laparoscopy revealed adhesions to the rectum. An epidural catheter was placed for repeated delivery of morphine sulfate. The pony was monitored daily by rectal examination, while complete blood count, fibrinogen, serum amyloid A, and abdominal ultrasound (to assess the size of the abscess) were repeated weekly. The pony progressively improved and was discharged one month later, shortly returning to competitions. This report emphasizes the importance of combining medical and surgical treatments for pararectal abscesses.