Merial study shows equine gastric ulcer diagnosis shortfall

Merial has highlighted a shortfall in the diagnosis of equine gastric ulcers in the UK, despite the progress made in recent years.

A Merial survey of equine vets has revealed that the number of practices owning a endoscope has more than doubled in the last six years, meaning that half of equine practices now own one of these devices.

Meanwhile, the average number of monthly scopes has risen from 1.5 to 9.25 and referrals from practices without a scope has increased by 65 per cent, with recognition of symptoms such as changes in behaviour, loss of appetite, poor performance and recurrent colic also improving.

However, more work needs to be done to ensure that diagnosis rates match the incidence of gastric ulcer cases.

Merial's Louise Radford said: "It is believed that up to 30 percent of leisure horses have some degree of gastric ulceration and this increases in sports horses, yet just a fraction of this figure represents those scoped."

Owned by Sanofi, Merial is one of the world's leading animal health companies, with a total global market share of more than 14 percent.