Abstract: Background: The pathogenesis of gastric ulceration is not well understood in foals and the relationship with gastric acidity requires further investigation. A wireless capsule, designed for intraesophageal pH monitoring in humans, has been adapted to measure intragastric pH in adult horses.
Hypothesis/
Objectives: To determine the feasibility of wireless intragastric pH measurement in foals. We hypothesized that the capsules would remain attached for ≥ 48 hours.
Animals: Eight healthy foals aged 24 to 98 days. Methods: Prospective interventional study. Capsules were attached to the glandular mucosa under gastroscopic guidance using a hemostasis clip and pH was continuously recorded. Gastroscopy was performed when detachment was suspected based on sustained pH ≥ 8, or after 7 days, to assess capsule attachment. Results: The capsules remained attached for 7 days in 6/8 foals (75%), with detachment in 2/8 foals after 5 days. The mean of the mean pH was 3.2 ± 0.6, the mean median pH was 3.0 ± 0.7, and the mean percentage of time the pH was less than 4 (%tpH < 4) was 74.0 ± 16.2%. As age increased, median pH significantly decreased (r = -.75, P = .033) and %tpH < 4 significantly increased (r = .72, P = .046). There was no significant correlation between age and attachment duration (r = -.23, P = .58).
Conclusion and Clinical Importance: This technique provides a non-invasive wireless alternative for prolonged measurement of intragastric pH in foals. The effect of age on pH provides additional insight into pathophysiology and warrants further exploration.
