Horse With Possible Ulcer, Please Help...

[AMH777]

My thoroughbred ex racehorse has been exhibiting signs of having ulcers. I have heard that Aloe Juice helps treat and prevent them, Will this type work?
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Aloe-Vera-W-99.8-Aloe-Juice-1-gal/10314798
or could you give me a cost effective way to treat/prevent them? I heard that most ex racers/racers have ulcers at one point in their lives, so I want to prevent them, even if he doesnt have them at this point. If this kind wont work, would you please tell me what kind will? Thanks!

 

[Ginger Bear]

Google & read up on green clay.. That's what my boy was treated with by osteopath.

 

[HappyHooves]

I'm sorry to hear that your horse has ( possibly) got ulcers. Does your vet think that is the trouble?
You will find a huge amount of information and help on the forum - put 'gastric ulcers' in the search tool and you'll be overwhelmed by the amount of pots there have been.

 

[AMH777]

Thanks! I will:] do you know where I could buy some?

any one have any alternative advice? thanks

 

[Ginger Bear]

The lady I go to is an equine vet & osteo, I think you can order through amazon but you'd need to get one suitable for human consumption/internal use. I think it's bentonite clay but have a read up & sure google will confirm.

 

[maggiesmum]

If you think he has them he needs treatment! There are lots of over the counter products that will help maintain a healthy digestive tract but they won't allow the ulcers to heal, you really do need veterinary help for that.

 

[JillA]

If you think he has them he needs treatment! There are lots of over the counter products that will help maintain a healthy digestive tract but they won't allow the ulcers to heal, you really do need veterinary help for that.

Not sure I entirely agree with that, the body is amazing at healing itself if you provide the right conditions. Aloe Vera won't do it though - you need to do several things.
Lower the acidity in the digestive system, so low sugar/cereal diet and some medication if you can get it. I used bicarbonate of soda with mine, as well as some human omeprazole donated by kind friends and supporters (that might come under the heading of veterinary help but not as expensive as Gastroguard, and we have no insurance for vet fees).
Then you need to line the system with some kind of protective mucous, and coconut oil was suggested for mine (make sure it is food quality, some is sold as a carrier for other oils). And next provide the optimum environment for good digestion - a probiotic or live yoghurt. And last but not least, identify the cause - stress/empty stomach/diet etc and try and make sure it doesn't continue to cause the problems.
There is also EGUSIN and activated charcoal which might help - presumably to reduce the acidity.
If you have vet fees insurance then that is the easiest way to go, but expensive and if they scope and it is negative, that could be a false negative in that they could be in the intestines and out of the reach of the endoscope The vet may not feel he can prescribe Gastroguard in that uncertain situation

 

[Hedwards]

I have had a real battle with stomach ulcers for about 6 months...

It took a while to decide I thought my TB had them, we saw some success with a diet change and by feeding Feedmark Ulcercalm, but he was never 'right'... spoke to my vet, who was in agreement, and recommended I didnt scope... we believe the source of my boys ulcers was stress (I'd not long bought him so total change of environment etc. and i did quite a bit with him in the early weeks)

We opted to do a 'Gastroguard trial' if we saw improvement, we knew it was ulcers... and boy was there an improvement. within 48 hours he was a different horse. From exploding when you did his girth up, refusing to be groomed around his girth, being generally twitchy and tail swishy... he was calm relaxed and happy to be girthed.

Unfortunately it took 2 attempts with the GG, the second finished ~3 weeks ago... and we havent looked back since, he looks fantastic, his behaviour is perfect (I'd totaly lost confidence in him, as while he was suffering with ulcers i had a rather scary fall from him!) - I had my first lesson on him since all the ulcer problems started on Monday just gone... I was so pleased with him i got rather emotional!

I really do think, to relieve the suffering quickly for your horse, GastroGuard is the only way forward (or you can get the same drug via Abler in america... much cheaper - but i believe there are legal implications with that)

Its essential to 'manage' them properly too:

Low starch/sugar, High fibre diet, low stress, contant access to good forage/grazing, avoid haylage. Make sure there is no underlying pain/discomfort as this can be a cause/make ulcers worse.

My boys diet now is:
1 stubbs scoop Dengie Hi Fi Mollasses Free (Previously used Alfa-A Oil, Alfalfa is fab for ulcer horses due to the calcium levels, and i will move back onto this in the winter)
~300g Saracen releve (only gets this now hes working again)
1 mug micronised linseed
1 small scoop fenugreek
1 scoop Alltech Lifeforce

The Alltech Lifeforce is brilliant, and i'd highly recommend it to anyone, but particualrly to those who have horses with ulcers (googly Rutland Horse Extras)

he lives out 24/7, on good grazing, and we supplement the field with hay if needed.

 

[AMH777]

I have had a real battle with stomach ulcers for about 6 months...

It took a while to decide I thought my TB had them, we saw some success with a diet change and by feeding Feedmark Ulcercalm, but he was never 'right'... spoke to my vet, who was in agreement, and recommended I didnt scope... we believe the source of my boys ulcers was stress (I'd not long bought him so total change of environment etc. and i did quite a bit with him in the early weeks)

We opted to do a 'Gastroguard trial' if we saw improvement, we knew it was ulcers... and boy was there an improvement. within 48 hours he was a different horse. From exploding when you did his girth up, refusing to be groomed around his girth, being generally twitchy and tail swishy... he was calm relaxed and happy to be girthed.

Unfortunately it took 2 attempts with the GG, the second finished ~3 weeks ago... and we havent looked back since, he looks fantastic, his behaviour is perfect (I'd totaly lost confidence in him, as while he was suffering with ulcers i had a rather scary fall from him!) - I had my first lesson on him since all the ulcer problems started on Monday just gone... I was so pleased with him i got rather emotional!

I really do think, to relieve the suffering quickly for your horse, GastroGuard is the only way forward (or you can get the same drug via Abler in america... much cheaper - but i believe there are legal implications with that)

Its essential to 'manage' them properly too:

Low starch/sugar, High fibre diet, low stress, contant access to good forage/grazing, avoid haylage. Make sure there is no underlying pain/discomfort as this can be a cause/make ulcers worse.

My boys diet now is:
1 stubbs scoop Dengie Hi Fi Mollasses Free (Previously used Alfa-A Oil, Alfalfa is fab for ulcer horses due to the calcium levels, and i will move back onto this in the winter)
~300g Saracen releve (only gets this now hes working again)
1 mug micronised linseed
1 small scoop fenugreek
1 scoop Alltech Lifeforce

The Alltech Lifeforce is brilliant, and i'd highly recommend it to anyone, but particualrly to those who have horses with ulcers (googly Rutland Horse Extras)

he lives out 24/7, on good grazing, and we supplement the field with hay if needed.

this sounds a lot like my story. he gets annoyed with everything, he is bolting, completely ignoring what I ask of him and he lost weight, even though he gets grass hay , pasture, and alfalfa. he gets hot on grain. I got him maybe... 5 weeks ago I think. and he had never been away from his half brother since he left the track a year ago. He used to be so sweet an laid back (at least for a TB XD) and now he is a night mare. I had a nasty fall off him about 2 weeks ago.

 

[Holly Hocks]

Go to www.abler.com and order the 20 free sachets. I tried it with my mare when she was diagnosed with grade 1 ulcers but the vets refused to give me gastroguard. I gave her 3 sachets a day so I had a week's supply. I'm not actually sure that I noticed any difference to be honest, but I now give her bicarb of soda and aloe vera in her feed and she seems a happy horse.

If you want to try aloe vera, I get mine from www.aloequine.com. But it's expensive and I think trying the bicarb of soda would be worth a try in the first instance. Good luck.

 

[AMH777]

what is a bcarb of soda? Thanks everyone!

 

[Hedwards]

Bicarbonate of Soda... just the stuff used in baking etc. however again, this will not 'cure' ulcers, only omeprazole the active drug in gastro guard (and the abler product) will do this. Is your horse insured? if so, i suggest you speak to your vet and get them sorted. I tried to resolve without the 'official' veterinary treatement (although was seeking veterinary advice), and failed.

Please be aware that the abler product ordered into this country is illegal, however plenty of people seem to be able to get it and use it without any issue.

 

[JillA]

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor and reduces the amount of acid getting into the system. However, as I understand it it doesn't survive very well in the already acid stomach of the horse, whereas gastroguard is omeprazole which has a coating which enables it to. But I found that bicarbonate of soda (not sure but I think it is alkaline) just tips the balance enough for the omeprazole to be able to do its job - mine did heal perfectly well with the regime I described above. I used Dr De Paulos palpation method of diagnosing how it was progressing - my vet was on board because I wanted to rule out any other cause for the presenting symptoms, but he knows funds are limited with my rescues. so he just gave me the nod to go ahead with what he calls my "kitchen sink" remedies. I was lucky enough to get people donating their unused Omeprazole, but I don't know what the outcome would have been without it.

 

[paulineh]

How much Sodium Bicarb do you give your horses each day. My Osteopath has just suggested put one of mine on it.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Gastro Guard only works on stomach ulcers - a lot of horses have ulceration in their hind gut which it will not touch. In order to maintain their hind gut in the best condition to prevent them flaring up you need to address the balance of gut flora and ensure they are getting enough fibre in their diet to help maintain hind gut health. When the hind gut is working effectively they can get all the nutrients they need from a fibre based diet - an effective hind gut helps regulate temperature, proper absorption of nutrients - proteins, vits and mins - and will help not only with them maintaining condition but will also improve their coat and hoof growth. By maintaining good hind gut activity you reduce the possibility of ulceration as part of its function is to maintain the ph levels in the gut and by making the best use of fibre there is always gut activity - it also helps prevent colics.

My WB has been on a ulcer management for years - he wouldn't go forward under saddle, cribbed, windsucked, dropped condition etc etc - he is now turned out as much as possible and his diet is hay - not haylage - alfalfa and Lifeforce. This winter was the cheapest ever for feeding him, his weight has been maintained, the cribbing and windsucking has virtually disappeared and there is no girthiness, grumpiness or going backwards. He has plenty of energy without fizz. The Lifeforce is made up of live yeasts and organic minerals and a mycotoxin binder - and has made all the difference to him.

 

[philamena]

My WB has been on a ulcer management for years - he wouldn't go forward under saddle, cribbed, windsucked, dropped condition etc etc - he is now turned out as much as possible and his diet is hay - not haylage - alfalfa and Lifeforce. This winter was the cheapest ever for feeding him, his weight has been maintained, the cribbing and windsucking has virtually disappeared and there is no girthiness, grumpiness or going backwards. He has plenty of energy without fizz. The Lifeforce is made up of live yeasts and organic minerals and a mycotoxin binder - and has made all the difference to him.

Hi Slinkyunicorn - am I right in thinking you stock / sell Lifeforce? (I may be misremembering something I thought I saw on another thread...) If so, are you able to help with a full ingredients list for it? I've had brilliant results with the gut balancer / yeasts I've been using but am always keen for more info on other possibles, but have struggled to get a proper ingredients / nutritional info list for Lifeforce, which puts me off trying it.

 

[AMH777]

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor and reduces the amount of acid getting into the system. However, as I understand it it doesn't survive very well in the already acid stomach of the horse, whereas gastroguard is omeprazole which has a coating which enables it to. But I found that bicarbonate of soda (not sure but I think it is alkaline) just tips the balance enough for the omeprazole to be able to do its job - mine did heal perfectly well with the regime I described above. I used Dr De Paulos palpation method of diagnosing how it was progressing - my vet was on board because I wanted to rule out any other cause for the presenting symptoms, but he knows funds are limited with my rescues. so he just gave me the nod to go ahead with what he calls my "kitchen sink" remedies. I was lucky enough to get people donating their unused Omeprazole, but I don't know what the outcome would have been without it.

I'm afraid I dont quite understand, do you suggest I cover an omeprazole pill in baking soda? I'm really confused, I might be completely off:]

 

[JillA]

No, you add bicarb to the feeds to reduce the acid in the digestive system as much as possible so that the omeprazole has the time to finish the job.

 

[AMH777]

Thanks everyone so how does this sound, I put some baking soda and a little bit of alfalfa (he probably won't eat it if there is no alfalfa in itXD) in a bucket with an omeprazole pill? (I can get the genetic pill form at my local drug store. Again I might be completely misunderstanding... Will this help it the problem ends up being in the hind gut? Also will this help soothe the pain or should I get something else to do that part? Will he chew up the pill and make it ineffective? Should I make the baking soda into a paste with water and give it to him via syringe?

 

[JillA]

You need around 210mg per day of omeprazole for a big horse for a couple of weeks and the capsules are easily opened to put the granules in the feed. I had a supply of 70mg capsules and he had 3 a day (if I remember rightly) Sprinkle both onto his feed and stir it in - if you can add some oil (if he will eat it) that will help line the walls of his gut - it can all go into a small palatable feed if he will eat it like that. Speedybeet helps disguise taste and the powders not to drop through and out.

 

[cptrayes]

Human omeprazole is no longer prescription only and it also comes with an enteric coating. The Abler product is enteric coated specifically for horses.

 

[AMH777]

You need around 210mg per day of omeprazole for a big horse for a couple of weeks and the capsules are easily opened to put the granules in the feed. I had a supply of 70mg capsules and he had 3 a day (if I remember rightly) Sprinkle both onto his feed and stir it in - if you can add some oil (if he will eat it) that will help line the walls of his gut - it can all go into a small palatable feed if he will eat it like that. Speedybeet helps disguise taste and the powders not to drop through and out.

I cant give my horse grain because he gets really hot. Can I mix an opened capsule with a little bit of alfalfa? wouldnt openng the capsule neutralize the affect of the coating that protects it? If I open the capsule should I mix in some baking soda? He is like 16.2 or 16.3 hh.

 

[JillA]

If you give it in chop or other dry food like alfalfa it is quite likely to drop through - a moist feed is best, and a small amount of Speedybeet or other unmollassed beet won't blow his brains. Or you could use alfalfa pellets and damp them enough but honestly unmollassed beet is much better.
If you don't open the capsules you will find he will leave them - the little grains inside are the ones with the coating, not the outer capsule cover, which is usually some form of gelatine. So mix a small feed of something tasty and moist, add the contents of the capsules and also the bicarb.

 

[AMH777]

chould I chop up some carrots since they are moist? like if I chop them up big enough so they arent mushy but small enough so the pieces wont fall through?