Is there life after Gastrogard ?

R

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Has anyone else had the experience of their horse losing it's appetite after finishing a one month course of gastrogard ? When she started the course my 25year old mare's appetite had dwindled badly,getting her to eat was a struggle. Once we were 7-10 days into the course she was eating everything in sight and weight was going back on - fantastic. After a month she was scoped and was 100% better - euphoria ! However 4 days after finishing the meds, her appetite has ebbed away again. I wonder if this is normal ? Needless to say, no insurance at her age so have splashed out on one more box of Gastrogard to give at one quarter per day.
 
I was advised by a vet after my horse was on GG for a month that GG kills off the 'good bacteria' in the hindgut, because by the nature of the way GG works it allows undigested food to pass through the hindgut and the good fauna/bacteria die off as a consequence of this.
This vet told me it was extremely important to reestablish this good fauna and the way to do this was through a 6 week regime using Green Clay and Chlorella (both inexpensive. If you look at the below thread you will see I posted and again point to my original thread about this and exactly what I was told to do.
I don't know that this is the answer for you, but it wouldn't hurt to try this. Good luck.

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=560473&highlight=chlorella+green+clay
 
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My gelding has just finished his gastro guard, I've started following the information from Y&C above. His diet is now 2 mugs fast fibre, 1/2 Stubbs scoop Dengie Healthy Tummy, 1 scoop fenugreek and 1 scoop alltech lifeforce (which I highly recommend) and its been 1 week since the GG finished and so far so good... If definitely try the fenugreek & lifeforce, my lad wolfs his feeds down!
 
It is vitally important not to abruptly stop gastroguard. You should have 4 weeks on full dose, then two weeks on half dose and then 2 weeks on quarter dose. Also feed a probiotic afterwards. If you stop abruptly, it actually causes an INCREASE in acid and a quick return of the ulcers.
 
Wagtail said:
It is vitally important not to abruptly stop gastroguard. You should have 4 weeks on full dose, then two weeks on half dose and then 2 weeks on quarter dose. Also feed a probiotic afterwards. If you stop abruptly, it actually causes an INCREASE in acid and a quick return of the ulcers.
Click to expand...

This. You're right in thinking you need a weaning off period :) If you think about how GG works, suppressing the production of acid, then you can imagine how it might feel to come straight off it even if the ulcers had cleared. Has the horse been worked or cantered about since coming off it? Splash ulcers can happen in a flash :(

Also - do you have her on a supplement to help support against a recurrence? I feel for you - the prospect of even more GG without insurance is pretty bl**dy scary!
 
What supplement would be recommended to avoid them coming back after treatment? And would you feed the green clay and chlorella (sp!) along side the gastro guard or after the weaning process?
 
poiuytrewq said:
What supplement would be recommended to avoid them coming back after treatment? And would you feed the green clay and chlorella (sp!) along side the gastro guard or after the weaning process?
Click to expand...

I was advised to feed the Green Clay and Chlorella after the GG was finished completely.

I have not kept my horse on any special supplements as his ulcers were symptomatic of another injury and chronic pain. His management is currently out 24/7 also which should help giving a stress free environment. I feed Pure Feed worker and Healthy Tummy and Speedibeet. The supplements that come up on here time and again as being good are Coligone, micronised Linseed, Feedmark's Settlex to name a few.
 
Another one who uses Lifeforce with great reults - is the only supplement needed so is the most cost effective way or managing mine - I previously used Acid-X and Aloe Vera - but not anymore:)

Why green clay?:confused: I can understand the need for a mycotoxin binder but clays are for a mycotoxin which is prevalent in the US but non-existant here:o does it have another function?:confused::)
 
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