What is EGUS and how are ulcers treated in horses?

How can it be treated?

The approach to treating EGUS is two-fold. 

First, medication is given for a period of time, to reduce the stomach acidity. 

Routinely we use a drug called omeprazole, this inhibits stomach acid secretion for about 24-hours. It is normally given for one month and the response to treatment is monitored using gastroscopy, to see if the ulcers are getting better.

Some horses will require a longer or shorter course, depending on how well they respond, and they might need to continue omeprazole at a lower dose in the long term – this is to help prevent the ulcers from coming back. The horse might need additional treatment with mucosal protectants, or, occasionally, with antibiotics. 

The second aspect of treatment is reducing the risk factors for developing EGUS. 

This means making changes specific to the individual horse. These changes may include minimising any stress, increasing foraging behaviour (through access to pasture, or providing regular hay-nets when stabled), maximising the fibre content of the diet, adapting the horse’s activity program, maintaining consistency in routines and ensuring constant access to water. These horses will often benefit from being fed a small handful of hay before exercise, to help buffer any stomach acid that gets splashed around.  

So what’s the long term outlook?

EGUS can take some time to get on top of, and there are horses that will suffer from it chronically or have repeated episodes during their lives. There are still parts of EGUS that we don’t completely understand, and there’s research underway to help us treat and manage it better. Wherever possible, prevention is better than cure, so try to make sure your horse’s lifestyle minimises the risk of EGUS. If you have any concerns, get your vet to take a look to make sure he isn’t being affected.

You may also be interested in;

What is PPID and how is it treated in horses?Horse Welfare: The importance of the 3 FsWhy do horses get hoof abscesses and how are they treated?How much food does a laminitic pony actually need?Can a pony recover from a rotated pedal bone?