Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
TURKISH JOURNAL OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES, cilt.37, ss.541-545, 2013 (SCI-Expanded)
Gastric ulceration is common in performance horses. More than 90% of thoroughbred horses in the training season and
approximately 60% of racing horses from other disciplines have gastric ulcers. Excessive secretion of gastric acid, impairment of
gastric mucosal blood flow, weakening of prostaglandin E or the gastric mucus/bicarbonate layer, and gastric emptying disorders are
important factors in the onset of ulceration. In this study, 12 horses with poor performance were evaluated using gastroscopy following
clinical examinations. Gastroscopy revealed ulceration in 5 horses and ulcerative lesions in 7. A daily dose of 4 mg/kg omeprazole was
administered orally for 4 weeks in all horses with clinically suspected gastritis, with or without gastric lesions. At the end of this time,
a protective dose of 2 mg/kg per day of omeprazole was used for an additional 2 weeks. No rest for the horses was advised during the
medical treatment period. According to the histories obtained from riders and trainers, all horses showed improved performance during
the second week of treatment. No gastric lesions were detected at endoscopic examination following medical treatment of horses with
gastric ulcerative lesions. In conclusion, gastric ulcer syndrome with or without gastric lesions in sport horses is a significant problem
causing poor performance. This is corroborated by the improvement in performances following medical treatment.