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Rachael Conwell BVetMed CertEM(IntMed) DipECEIM MRCVS Rachael qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1997. Initially working in mixed practice in Wales, she then completed a 3 year residency in equine internal medicine at the University of Liverpool and gained the RCVS Certificate in Equine Internal Medicine. After her specialist training, Rachael worked in first opinion and referral equine practices in Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire and Yorkshire. After passing the European College specialist examinations, she became a European Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine in 2010. Rachael established EquiMed Referrals Ltd and sees referral cases across the North of the UK.

The results of this study suggest that, under the conditions studied, where omeprazole is administered before exercise and following a brief fast, doses of omeprazole as low as 1 mg/kg bwt per os s.i.d. may be as effective as higher doses. The proportion of glandular ulceration that heals with 28 days of omeprazole therapy is less than that of squamous ulceration.

The results of the present study compare favourably with previous reports on the pharmacodynamics of omeprazole and the clinical outcomes of trials reporting response to oral omeprazole therapy.

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BackgroundTo date, risk factors for equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) have not been described in Thoroughbred racehorses.ObjectivesTo determine management factors associated with EGGD, identify clinical signs in affected horses, and compare these to equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD).AnimalsThe study was carried out on 109 Thoroughbred racehorses from 8 training yards (3 in the United Kingdom and 5 in Australia).MethodsGastroscopic examination alongside a questionnaire regarding management, feeding, exercise, and health.ResultsManagement factors and clinical signs were different for EGGD versus ESGD. Exercising ≥5 days per week was associated with a 10.4 times (95% CI [confidence interval]: 1.34‐26.9) increased risk of EGGD. Horses racing below expectation were 3.7 times (95% CI: 1.1‐16.7) more likely to have EGGD. Trainer was also identified as a risk factor for EGGD. Time in work ≤6 weeks was associated with a decreased risk of ESGD (odds ratio [OR] 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1‐0.99). Horses aggressive to humans were less likely to have ESGD (OR 0.12; 95% CI: 0.03‐0.54). Horses with stereotypies were more likely to have ESGD (OR 5.0; 95% CI: 1.6‐15.9).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThe findings of our study further support the notion that EGGD should be considered as a distinct disease entity to ESGD. Exercising ≤4 days per week could reduce the risk of EGGD. Horses with EGGD are more likely to perform below expectation and, as such, EGGD might be performance limiting in some affected individuals. Stress minimization could reduce the risk of EGGD.

Summary Primary gastric impaction is an uncommon condition. Furthermore, the factors associated with gastric impaction and the optimal method of treatment are not clear. The aim of this article is to describe the clinical findings, treatment and outcome of horses with a primary gastric impaction. Medical records of horses that presented with a primary gastric impaction between 2005 and 2008 were reviewed and 20 horses with a primary gastric impaction identified. Diagnosis of a primary gastric impaction was made if the horse had been fasted for a minimum of 16 h, a concretion of ingesta precluded visualisation of the margo plicatus and there was no evidence of concurrent intestinal pathology. Thirteen of 20 (65%) horses were presented on an emergency basis. The most common complaint was inappetence (50%) followed by acute colic (35%) and recurrent colic (35%). On initial examination for colic, all horses had a normal heart rate and 7 of 20 (35%) had decreased gastrointestinal borborygmi. All horses were treated with enteral fluid therapy. The median dose of fluids administered per day was 5 doses (range 1–8 doses) of 2–10 l of isotonic electrolyte solution. The median length of treatment until resolution was 2 days (range 1–5 days). Eighteen of 20 (90%) horses survived to discharge. Primary gastric impaction appears to be a condition with clinical signs of inappetence and mild abdominal discomfort. This is the largest group of horses reported that were treated with enteral fluid therapy for a gastric impaction and it was concluded that enteral fluid therapy was of value in this study.