ArticleVeterinary medicine and science2026
Gastroscopic Evaluation of Gastric Mucosa in Horses Treated With Flunixin Meglumine or High-Dose Firocoxib: A Descriptive Pilot Study.
Article in Veterinary medicine and science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundEquine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is common in horses, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a known risk factor for gastrointestinal ulceration. Although COX-2 selective NSAIDs such as firocoxib theoretically offer a better safety profile, endoscopic evidence for their mucosal safety at high off-label doses is lacking.
objectivesTo compare the effects of label-dose flunixin meglumine and high-dose firocoxib on the gastric mucosa of a small selected group of horses using serial gastroscopy and histopathology in a descriptive pilot study.
methodsTwenty mixed-breed horses were allocated non-randomly to control (n = 10), flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg IM, n = 5), or firocoxib (1.0 mg/kg PO, n = 5) groups, treated once daily for 5 days. Gastroscopic evaluation and histopathological analysis were performed before (Day 1) and after treatment (Day 6).
resultsNo glandular disease was observed. Low prevalence of pre-existing squamous lesions was found in all groups without progression after treatment. Histopathological scores revealed baseline incomparability, with marked cellular infiltrate present only in the flunixin group at Day 1 (60%). Within-group analyses showed no significant changes between time points (p > 0.05). The use of NSAIDs effectively resolved lameness.
conclusionsIn this small descriptive pilot study, limited by non-randomised allocation and small sample size, the study found no detectable short-term gastric mucosal injury associated with high-dose firocoxib within the limits of this study. Due to the non-randomised design, no causal conclusions can be drawn. These hypothesis-generating findings require confirmation in adequately powered randomised trials.
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