Archive Case #32: Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome

Clinical Clues

1. A performance horse is examined for poor condition, intermittent colic, and reduced willingness to work.
2. The owner reports the horse is in regular training and spends long periods stabled.
3. The signs are subtle but persistent, especially after exercise.
4. Physical examination is largely unremarkable apart from mild weight loss and irritability during girthing.
5. Gastroscopy reveals erosive lesions affecting the gastric mucosa.
6. A syndrome of gastric mucosal ulceration is common in intensively managed horses and often causes vague performance-related signs.

Diagnosis

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome

This case is most consistent with Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome because the horse has chronic poor performance, intermittent colic, and gastroscopic evidence of gastric ulceration. The most important clues are the management risk factors and direct visualisation of gastric lesions, which make musculoskeletal causes of poor performance less likely.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.