J Vet Sci.  2022 Mar;23(2):e19. 10.4142/jvs.21247.

Prevalence and treatment of gastric ulcers in Thoroughbred racehorses of Korea

• Hwang H
• Dong HJ
• Han J
• Cho S
• Kim Y
• Lee I

• KMID: 2527888
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.21247

Abstract

Background
Gastric ulcer is one of the prevalent diseases in racehorses. However, it has not been recognized as important in Korea, and drugs used to treat gastric ulcers are included in the doping test list, so they are not allowed to be administered to racehorses in training.
Objectives
This study was performed 1) to investigate the prevalence and the severity of gastric ulcers in Thoroughbred racehorses in Korea, 2) to confirm the therapeutic effect of ranitidine and omeprazole, and 3) to compare the efficacy between ranitidine and omeprazole.
Methods
Forty-nine horses were randomly recruited, and gastroscopy was performed within two days after racing. Twelve horses with a sum grade of five or higher were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. Seven horses were administered ranitidine, and five horses were administered omeprazole. Follow-up gastroscopy was scheduled within one to five days after finishing the treatment.
Results
The prevalence of gastric ulcer in Korean Thoroughbred racehorses after racing was 100%, and the grade was more severe in the non-glandular region than in the pyloric region. There was no correlation between the severity of gastric ulcer in the two regions. Omeprazole had a greater therapeutic effect than ranitidine.
Conclusions
This study shows the importance of recognizing gastric ulcers as an important factor, and omeprazole as a possible treatment option in Korea, as it has been removed from the list of prohibited substances for racehorses. Thus, the use of omeprazole is currently recommended until one day before the race.

Keyword

horses; gastric ulcer; gastric ulcer; ranitidine; omeprazole