Equine

Zoetis introduces interactive tool to aid EGUS diagnosis

vetreportAugust 10, 2016

Zoetis has introduced an interactive digital tool to help vets illustrate and record types of Equine Gastric Ulceration Syndrome (EGUS) following diagnosis using gastroscopy techniques. The new tool is part of a package that also includes posters and SMS texts to support veterinary practices in raising awareness of gastric ulcers to horse owners.

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is a serious and common condition and any type of horse can be at risk.1 EGUS can have a profound impact on a horse’s condition and performance and can be life threatening in foals. It is a challenging condition to diagnose as the clinical signs are often vague and not always present.1 Gastroscopy is the only method currently available for a definitive diagnosis. Of the two types of disease equine squamous gastric disease is graded on a numeric scale with 1 being the least severe and 4 being the most serious. Equine glandular gastric disease can be very varied in terms of location and type so grading this disease on a score system is no longer recommended. Instead it is now usually described in terms of location, severity and appearance.2

The new interactive tool helps vets to illustrate and record gastroscopy findings. This information, together with treatment and management recommendations, can be shared easily with the client. Posters explaining gastric ulceration have been designed to help increase awareness and understanding of EGUS amongst horse owners.

Effective treatment usually involves a combination of management and medical treatments. UlcerGold is indicated to treat and prevent the recurrence of gastric ulcers in horses, administered once-daily for 28 consecutive days at the full dose of 4mg/kg bodyweight followed by the reduced dose of 1mg/kg bodyweight for a further 28 days.3 It contains omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor that suppresses gastric acid secretion.3,4 One syringe contains enough UlcerGold for a daily dose for a horse weighing up to 700kg. It can be used for foals as young as four weeks of age that weigh over 70kg and for breeding stallions.

UlcerGold is an oral paste containing omeprazole POM-V. Further information is available on the SPC or from Zoetis UK Ltd, Walton Oaks, Dorking Road, Walton-on-the-Hill, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 7NS.

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References
1. Picavet M-Th. EQUINE GASTRIC ULCER SYNDROME. Proceedings of the First European Equine Nutrition & Health Congress. February 9 2002. Antwerp Zoo, Belgium.
2. Sykes BW, et al. ECEIM Consensus Statement. J Vet Intern Med 2015; 29: 1288-1299.
3. UlcerGold Summary of Product Characteristics. May 2014.
4. Bell RJ, et al. Equine gastric ulcer syndrome in adult horses: a review. NZ Vet J 2007; 55 (1): 1-12.