Comparative endoscopic evaluation of normal and ulcerated gastric mucosae in
Thoroughbred foals |
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Authors: | Kazuhiko OKAI Sadao TAHARAGUCHI Yasuhiro ORITA Hiroshi YOKOTA Hiroyuki TANIYAMA |
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Institution: | 1)Okai. Vet. Service, 7–54 Hokuseicho, Niikappu, Hokkaido 059-2403, Japan;2)Hidaka C.L.C., 14–29 Hokuseicho, Niikappu, Hokkaido 059-2403, Japan;3)Central Veterinary Clinical Center, Hidaka District, A.M.A.A., 8 Hokuseicho, Niikappu, Hokkaido 059-2403, Japan;4)Department of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, 582 Bunkyoudai-Midorimachi, Ebetsu, Hokkaido 069-8501, Japan |
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Abstract: | To contribute to early diagnosis and treatment of gastric ulcer of foals, we examined the
gastric mucosa of healthy and affected foals using an endoscope. In healthy foals, the
characteristic changes in the development of the squamous mucosa were seen mainly in the
squamous mucosa, and maturation of the squamous mucosa in the greater curvature (GC-S)
occurred more slowly than that of the squamous mucosa in the lesser curvature (LC-S).
Epithelial desquamation in the LC-S and GC-S was observed between 6 and 90 days but was
not observed in the LC-S at about 60 days, whereas it was observed in the GC-S until 90
days old. These findings suggest that there is a difference in the development of the
gastric mucosa by region and that desquamation continues over a term longer than studies
have reported in the past. In the affected foals, the minimum age at which gastric ulcer
was observed was 4 days old. Gastric ulcers formed predominantly in the squamous mucosa
(LC-S and GC-S) of foals with an immature mucosa before the weaning period,
and the peak incidence occurred between 61 and 90 days old. The differences in the
ulceration sites were considered to depend on the difference in the development
(maturation) stage of the squamous mucosa. The grading score of the gastric ulcer
increased with the growth of the affected foals. The gastric ulcer might be enhanced
greatly by stress in the weaning period. |
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Keywords: | endoscopy equine gastric ulcer foal |
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