Portable Equine Gastroscope

Equine Gastroscoping

This is a relatively new procedure that is being offered in Tasmania, with Vet in the Valley the first practice to purchase a gastroscope in southern Tasmania. Our equine vets can come to you to provide this service, or alternately we can facilitate the use of a stable at difference locations.

Gastroscoping is where, under sedation a camera is pasted through the horses nose, down into their oesophagus then all the way down into their stomach. We add some air to inflate the stomach and then we can review all the different areas of the stomach to visually check the horse for equine gastric ulcers.

Signs that your horse may need gastroscoping include:

• Poor condition

• Poor appetite

• Dull, poor coat quality

• Behavioural changes such as grithiness, reluctance to be ridden

• Poor performance

• Repeated low-grade episodes of colic

• Chronic diarrhoea

What treatments are available?

Vet in the Valley has a large variety of treatments available and in-stock. Difference severities and different ulcer locations may change the required treatment. Generally there are several different types- oral pastes, granules and injections. If your horse requires medication, our equine vets will talk you through the different options and help ensure the correct one is picked!

We also stock Suralox, which is a new product from Kentucky Equine Research. Suralox is a specifically designed product to support gastric and intestinal health in horses of all ages and uses. The primary ingredient is sucralfate, which is a shielding agent that binds to ulcerated areas and safeguards the sensitive lining fo the stomach from the damaging effects of gastric acid. It also stimulates the production of prostaglandin and mucus, which adds two more layers of protection.