Association of Equine Squamous and Glandular Gastric Disease with Dental Status in 54 Horses

Gastric pH is a key factor in the development of equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD). Although acid injury is unlikely the primary cause of equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD), low pH may promote mucosal damage. Gastric pH is influenced by roughage uptake, as chewing increases the alkaline sa...

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Main Authors: Rabea Lensing, Caroline Wirth, Franziska Thünker, Roswitha Merle, Ann Kristin Barton
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/22/3189
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author Rabea Lensing
Caroline Wirth
Franziska Thünker
Roswitha Merle
Ann Kristin Barton
author_facet Rabea Lensing
Caroline Wirth
Franziska Thünker
Roswitha Merle
Ann Kristin Barton
author_sort Rabea Lensing
collection DOAJ
description Gastric pH is a key factor in the development of equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD). Although acid injury is unlikely the primary cause of equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD), low pH may promote mucosal damage. Gastric pH is influenced by roughage uptake, as chewing increases the alkaline saliva production. The proton pump inhibitor omeprazole is currently recommended by the American/European College of Veterinary/Equine Internal Medicine (ACVIM/ECEIM) for ESGD and EGGD. We hypothesized that dental disorders decrease saliva production and gastric pH, predisposing horses to EGUS. Gastroscopy, intragastric pH measurement and dental examinations were performed (<i>n</i> = 54). Omeprazole therapy was recommended (<i>n</i> = 32), dental disorders were corrected (<i>n</i> = 22) and gastroscopy was repeated 4 weeks later (<i>n</i> = 9). An influence of moderate to severe dental disorders on ESGD (grade ≥ 2/4) (<i>p</i> = 0.394) and EGGD (grade ≥ 2/3) (<i>p</i> = 0.857) could not be determined. Nevertheless, there was a trend that moderate to severe dental disorders were associated with a low gastric pH ≤ 4 (<i>p</i> = 0.100). Horses with no or mild dental problems had a mean pH of 5.4 versus 4.2 in moderate to severe dental disorders. In conclusion, our study results do not show a direct relationship between dental disorders and EGUS, but a gastric and oral cavity examination should still be considered in patients presented for weight loss or inappetence.
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spelling doaj-art-ccbc16e10bf94d6996f4102bf0ce50032025-08-20T01:53:48ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-11-011422318910.3390/ani14223189Association of Equine Squamous and Glandular Gastric Disease with Dental Status in 54 HorsesRabea Lensing0Caroline Wirth1Franziska Thünker2Roswitha Merle3Ann Kristin Barton4Equine Clinic Hochmoor, 48712 Gescher, GermanyEquine Clinic Hochmoor, 48712 Gescher, GermanyEquine Clinic Hochmoor, 48712 Gescher, GermanySchool of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Freie Universitaet Berlin, 14163 Berlin, GermanyEquine Clinic Hochmoor, 48712 Gescher, GermanyGastric pH is a key factor in the development of equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD). Although acid injury is unlikely the primary cause of equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD), low pH may promote mucosal damage. Gastric pH is influenced by roughage uptake, as chewing increases the alkaline saliva production. The proton pump inhibitor omeprazole is currently recommended by the American/European College of Veterinary/Equine Internal Medicine (ACVIM/ECEIM) for ESGD and EGGD. We hypothesized that dental disorders decrease saliva production and gastric pH, predisposing horses to EGUS. Gastroscopy, intragastric pH measurement and dental examinations were performed (<i>n</i> = 54). Omeprazole therapy was recommended (<i>n</i> = 32), dental disorders were corrected (<i>n</i> = 22) and gastroscopy was repeated 4 weeks later (<i>n</i> = 9). An influence of moderate to severe dental disorders on ESGD (grade ≥ 2/4) (<i>p</i> = 0.394) and EGGD (grade ≥ 2/3) (<i>p</i> = 0.857) could not be determined. Nevertheless, there was a trend that moderate to severe dental disorders were associated with a low gastric pH ≤ 4 (<i>p</i> = 0.100). Horses with no or mild dental problems had a mean pH of 5.4 versus 4.2 in moderate to severe dental disorders. In conclusion, our study results do not show a direct relationship between dental disorders and EGUS, but a gastric and oral cavity examination should still be considered in patients presented for weight loss or inappetence.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/22/3189equine gastric ulcer syndromeomeprazoledental disordershorsepH
spellingShingle Rabea Lensing
Caroline Wirth
Franziska Thünker
Roswitha Merle
Ann Kristin Barton
Association of Equine Squamous and Glandular Gastric Disease with Dental Status in 54 Horses
Animals
equine gastric ulcer syndrome
omeprazole
dental disorders
horse
pH
title Association of Equine Squamous and Glandular Gastric Disease with Dental Status in 54 Horses
title_full Association of Equine Squamous and Glandular Gastric Disease with Dental Status in 54 Horses
title_fullStr Association of Equine Squamous and Glandular Gastric Disease with Dental Status in 54 Horses
title_full_unstemmed Association of Equine Squamous and Glandular Gastric Disease with Dental Status in 54 Horses
title_short Association of Equine Squamous and Glandular Gastric Disease with Dental Status in 54 Horses
title_sort association of equine squamous and glandular gastric disease with dental status in 54 horses
topic equine gastric ulcer syndrome
omeprazole
dental disorders
horse
pH
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/22/3189
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