A gastroscopy is a relatively common procedure used to look inside a horse’s stomach, often to diagnose stomach ulcers. This guide outlines how an equine gastroscope works, as well as the symptoms of equine gastric ulcers.
What is a Gastroscopy?
A gastroscopy allows us to visualize the lining of the stomach by passing a 3m long endoscope through the nasal passage into the back of the throat, where it is then swallowed into the esophagus. The endoscope is then passed down the esophagus to the stomach. The end portion of the endoscope has a camera, which can be steered to help with examining the entire stomach, from the stomach wall to the pylorus (exit point of the stomach). The horse is sedated for this procedure, and it should take approximately 15 minutes to carry out.
What are Gastric Ulcers?
Gastric ulcers are caused by prolonged exposure to acid in the stomach, leading to erosion of the stomach lining. Ulcers can appear in two areas; the glandular mucosa and the squamous mucosa. Ulcers here can be caused by forage deprivation, exercise on an empty stomach, high work intensities and diets high in concentrates.
How do I know if my horse may have gastric ulcers?
Horses with gastric ulcers can present with a number of different symptoms including:
Poor condition
Reluctance to eat
Discomfort whilst girthing or grooming
Recurrent, or acute colic
Weight loss
Poor performance - reluctance to go forward, bucking/rearing when pressured
Changes in attitude and/or behaviour – acting "grumpy" or being aggressive
Horses suffering with gastric ulcers can become difficult to ride and handle. If you are concerned that your horse may have gastric ulcers, please call the practice and a vet can discuss your horse’s symptoms.
What is the procedure prior to a gastroscopy?
The stomach must be empty, therefore the horse should not have access to any food for 12 hours prior to the procedure. Ideally the horse should be on inedible bedding. It is advisable to muzzle your horse if they are likely to eat any bedding or faeces. Water should be removed 2 hours prior to the procedure.
What happens after the gastroscopy?
After the procedure, your horse needs to wake up from the sedation; this can take up to an hour. Once awake, your horse can be fed and have water back in the stable. We suggest a wet feed or small amount of wet forage to start with. If your horse does have gastric ulcers then a treatment plan will be devised, including medication, diet and management changes. After treatment, it is advised that your horse has a repeat gastroscopy to see if the condition has improved.
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