Effect of changing diet on gastric ulceration in exercising horses and ponies after cessation of omeprazole treatment

Luthersson, N., Bolger, C., Fores, P., Barfoot, C., Nelson, S., Parkin, T. and Harris, P. (2019) Effect of changing diet on gastric ulceration in exercising horses and ponies after cessation of omeprazole treatment. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 83, 102742. (doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.05.007) (PMID:31791527)

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Abstract

Diet is an accepted risk factor for equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD), but there is little published evidence for the benefit of dietary change (DC). This study evaluated the effect of DC with or without initial omeprazole medication. Twelve pairs of exercising horses with ESGD Grade 2/4 (EM) and 17 pairs with ESGD Grade ≥3/4 (ES), were monitored. Paired horses had similar management, feeding times, workloads, and initially feed or forage. One of each pair was randomly assigned, postgastroscopy (Scope1), to a specified restricted starch ration; the other remained on their original diet. Omeprazole (4 mg/kg per os SID) was given to all ES pairs for 4 weeks. Gastroscopies were scored, without dietary knowledge, after 4 and 10 weeks (Scopes 2 and 3). Workloads remained similar throughout. McNemar’s tests identified any changes in ESGD grade. Within the EM group, DC had no additional effect. For the ES group remaining on their original diet, there was significant improvement in ESGD grade from Scopes 1 to 2 (P < .001) but a worsening between Scopes 2 and 3 (P = .005), with Scope 3 being no different from Scope 1 (P = .08) reflecting no apparent long-term medication benefit. For the DC group, there was significant improvement in ESGD grade from Scopes 1 to 2 (P < .001) and between Scopes 1 and 3 (P = .003); In addition, there was no significant difference between Scopes 2 and 3 (P = .32). Although limited by the small number of pairs evaluated, this study provides evidence that appropriate DCs can be a beneficial management strategy for ESGD.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Financial support for this study was provided by Fundacion para � la Promocion del Deporte Ecuestre, ScanVet Animal Health A/S, Norbrook Laboratories Limited, WALTHAM, and Mars Horsecare UK.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Parkin, Professor Tim
Authors: Luthersson, N., Bolger, C., Fores, P., Barfoot, C., Nelson, S., Parkin, T., and Harris, P.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0737-0806
ISSN (Online):1542-7412
Published Online:14 May 2019

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