Gastric Ulcers
Symptoms in adult horses:
colic
attitude change
loose manure
lying down
weight loss
poor body condition
poor performance
loss of appetite
colic
attitude change
loose manure
lying down
weight loss
poor body condition
poor performance
loss of appetite
Causes:
stress (i.e. weaning, travel)
high grain, low forage diet
long periods between meals
hauling
stall confinement
intense exercise
illness
certain drug treatments
management changes
stress (i.e. weaning, travel)
high grain, low forage diet
long periods between meals
hauling
stall confinement
intense exercise
illness
certain drug treatments
management changes
Treatment:
There are many treatments that range from just treating symptoms to actually healing the ulcers.
Antacids work by neutralizing the acid in the stomach. Trade names: NeighLox and U-gard Antacids can be used daily.
Coating or binding agents are medications that bind to the surface of a gastric ulcer to protect and promote healing (Sucralfate and Pepto-Bismol).
Acid blocking drugs work by preventing acid secretion by cells in the stomach lining.
Omeprazole (trade name Gastrogard and Ulcergard)
Ranitidine (trade name Zantac)
Cimetidine (trade name Tagamet) Acid blocking drugs are usually given once or twice a day for a minimum of 28 days.
There are many treatments that range from just treating symptoms to actually healing the ulcers.
Antacids work by neutralizing the acid in the stomach. Trade names: NeighLox and U-gard Antacids can be used daily.
Coating or binding agents are medications that bind to the surface of a gastric ulcer to protect and promote healing (Sucralfate and Pepto-Bismol).
Acid blocking drugs work by preventing acid secretion by cells in the stomach lining.
Omeprazole (trade name Gastrogard and Ulcergard)
Ranitidine (trade name Zantac)
Cimetidine (trade name Tagamet) Acid blocking drugs are usually given once or twice a day for a minimum of 28 days.
Helpful management changes:
avoid stall confinement
constant access to hay
reduce high protein grain in the diet
add corn oil to diet
avoid isolating horse from herdmates
increased pasture grazing time
avoid frequent changes in lifestyle (i.e. change in pasturemates, stable, diet)
avoid stall confinement
constant access to hay
reduce high protein grain in the diet
add corn oil to diet
avoid isolating horse from herdmates
increased pasture grazing time
avoid frequent changes in lifestyle (i.e. change in pasturemates, stable, diet)
gastric ulcer on the lining of stomach as seen through an endoscope
For more information - http://www.aaep.org
Symptoms in foals:
abdominal pain or colic
restlessness
rolling
salivation
tooth grinding
poor appetite
laying on back
loose manure
abdominal pain or colic
restlessness
rolling
salivation
tooth grinding
poor appetite
laying on back
loose manure
