Journal of Veterinary Science

The Korean Society of Veterinary Science (대한수의학회)
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Prevalence and treatment of gastric ulcers in Thoroughbred racehorses of Korea

  • Hwang, Hyeshin (Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University) ;
  • Dong, Hee-Jin (Department of Veterinary Pathobiology and Preventive Medicine, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University) ;
  • Han, Janet (College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences) ;
  • Cho, Seongbeom (Department of Veterinary Pathobiology and Preventive Medicine, BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University) ;
  • Kim, Yongbaek (Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University) ;
  • Lee, Inhyung (Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University)
  • Received : 2021.09.03
  • Accepted : 2021.12.07
  • Published : 2022.03.31
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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.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Abler Pharmaceuticals for their donation of omeprazole, Korea Racing Authority (KRA) for their financial support, and the trainers for their cooperation and assistance.

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