gastric ulcers

S

sybilstoute

Member
Joined
19 June 2011
Messages
11
Visit site
Has anyone heard or tried a product called Gastro-G its a proton pump inhibitor that is supposed to treat gastric ulcers including hind gut and those caused by bacterial infection? I'm about to buy some as its a fraction of the cost of Gastrogard (£130 for 1 month course) I have a lovely eventing mare who has struggled to finish XC this year as although she responded to gastrogard shes still slightly underweight, anaemic and lethargic, the vet thinks it may be hind gut or bacterial ulcers and gastrogard isnt going to be effective. Would really apreciate feedback thanks
 
If your horse has bacterial ulcers (mine did) then you will need a course of antibiotics to treat them! A proton-pump inhibitor (like gastrogard) won't touch them, because the problem isn't with the acid splashing up the walls of the stomach, it's with the mucosal (glandular) tissue not producing an effective mucus layer in the part of the stomach which is designed to constantly have acid on it. So notwithstanding the facts that a) I can't find a thing to tell me what the 'natural substitute' for omaprazole is in Gastro G, b) doesn't seem to be competition legal (needs a 24hr withdrawal period for racing) and c) I cannot find any of their 'well documented research' that shows it is 98% effective; I can't see how it will help if your horse has bacterial issues. And lets face it, if omaprazole (which is the active ingredient in gastrogard) didn't work, why on earth would a natural product which is also a proton-pump inhibitor? There's no logic to that!

My horse had a month on doxycycline alongside gastrogard, pepto bismol and antepsin tablets. He's been ulcer-free for a couple of years now.

Unless you can get them to tell you what the 'natural substitute' is, I'd be wary of feeding it because who knows what is in it, and therefore what the possible withdrawal period is to make you competition legal. It says it is a strong anti-inflammatory, so it's almost certainly not FEI legal - I wonder what is in it.
 
My vet recommended the use of this particular natural treatment because it has anti bacterial, analgesic, anti inflammatory properties as well as being a proton pump inhibitor with high levels of anti oxidants. I believe it is a primary health care medicine in both Brazil and Japan, my vet has been involved in some of the research in Newmarket but the company are restricted in what they are allowed to publish as the VMD dont allow medical claims for any natural products unless it is a licensed medicine which would increase the price. I am very keen on natural alternatives rather than anti biotics and as it is already a health care product in Brazil I thought it was well worth a shot, and I really apreciate your very sound advice thanks.
 
The treatment for bacterial ulcers in horses is pretty complex, largely because they've never been able to isolate the bacteria they suspect causes the problem, so are extrapolating from humans. Also, many of the antibiotics used to treat bacterial ulcers can't be used on horses, hence the use of doxy, which is a human antibiotic that I had to feed ridiculous numbers of per day (and ended up wearing a lot of - it stains).

I would guess my knowledge is a couple of years out of date now though, so this could well be worth a try if your vet is recommending it. I would want to know what was in it first though - if your vet has been involved in the research I guess they'd be able to tell you. Is your vet RH?
 
sybilstoute said:
Has anyone heard or tried a product called Gastro-G its a proton pump inhibitor that is supposed to treat gastric ulcers including hind gut and those caused by bacterial infection? I'm about to buy some as its a fraction of the cost of Gastrogard (£130 for 1 month course) I have a lovely eventing mare who has struggled to finish XC this year as although she responded to gastrogard shes still slightly underweight, anaemic and lethargic, the vet thinks it may be hind gut or bacterial ulcers and gastrogard isnt going to be effective. Would really apreciate feedback thanks
Click to expand...

Please be very careful as hindgut ulcers are very hard to treat. My horse had low grade ulcers (1 in the pyloric region also) early this year and he was put on a month's course of Gastrogard.
He has just returned from 2 weeks rehab at Donna Blinman's clinic and she said he had hindgut bacteria imbalance caused by the Gastrogard. The Gastrogard by inhibiting the acid pumps in he stomach allows undigested food to go through the hindgut for the duration of the treatment. This is bad for the hindgut. My horse is on a month's herbal course to sort out his gut. He is on Chlorella and Green Clay for 2 weeks on, 2 weeks break and a further 2 weeks on. I would suggest you consult with a holistic vet like Donna Blinman before self treating hind gut ulcers. http://www.donnablinman.co.uk/default.html
Good luck.
 
Last edited:
The vet has identified two bacteria, Escherichia Fergusonii and Enterococcus faecium and I believe the plant extract in the Gastro-g is from the maytenus family, apparently it is grown in Brazil as a medicinal crop with certain set growing and weather conditions to ensure its contains an effective amount of the active ingredient and then its tested with chromatography. Thanks for suggesting holistic vet, I'll definately check out the website.
 
sybilstoute said:
The vet has identified two bacteria, Escherichia Fergusonii and Enterococcus faecium and I believe the plant extract in the Gastro-g is from the maytenus family, apparently it is grown in Brazil as a medicinal crop with certain set growing and weather conditions to ensure its contains an effective amount of the active ingredient and then its tested with chromatography. Thanks for suggesting holistic vet, I'll definately check out the website.
Click to expand...

It may be a good solution, but I would check first. I am sure Donna would be happy to talk to you. It's just that acid pump inhibiting I don't like the sound of as that will probably cause the bacteria imbalance that my horse has had.
Donna could just tell from my horse's behaviour at her clinic that he has issues with his hindgut. Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top