Gastric ulcers are now the second most claimed for ailment, says Petplan Equine
PETPLAN EQUINE, ONE of the top UK horse insurance providers, has published data on the top five most claimed for conditions in 2017 – and there’s been an increase in one particular condition, gastric ulcers. Kate Hopkins, Petplan marketing consultant explained, “Every year, when we review our ‘Top Five’ most common health problems in horses, we see interesting changes which can point toward shifts in equine management. “Petplan Equine paid out over £3 million to customers for the top five conditions in 2017, and over £11.9 million was paid out for claims in total. This shows how crucial it is to have quality horse insurance to help cover the cost of unexpected veterinary treatment.” In 2017, while arthritis has remained in first position, claims show an increase for gastric ulcers and a reduction in laminitis when compared to 2016 data. Laminitis has seen a reduction in claims of more than 19% compared to 2016 and has fallen to number five in the ranking. However, gastric ulcer
With gastric ulcers moving up to number two in the top five claims with Petplan Equine, ensure you have an insurance policy in place so your horse’s treatment is covered
claims have increased by more than 28% year on year. This would suggest that increased knowledge among horse owners and use of better management techniques, as well as more accessible veterinary tests being available, has had a visible effect on claims.
Petplan Equine’s veterinary expert Gil Riley MRCVS says, “The awareness that many underperforming horses do so because they are suffering from gastric ulcers means that checking for their presence is high on the list of priorities for vets investigating such cases. It’s also well recognised that back pain and stomach ulcers commonly occur together, possibly because the discomfort and stress caused by a bad back may interfere with the maintenance of a healthy stomach lining and vice versa. “Reduced claims for laminitis is a reflection of the ever-growing awareness among horse owners and vets of the two hormonal diseases responsible for 90% of laminitis cases, Cushing’s Disease and Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). As a result we are testing for these conditions and, if present, putting preventative treatment management changes in place before the distressing condition that is laminitis has an opportunity to occur.”