long term use of gastroguard?

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

does the long term (years/indefinately) use of gastroguard at the maintenance dose, have any negative implications?

would it be better to do a month at full dose then stay on a generic supplement until symptoms return, or do a month on/month off system year round?

any input appreciated!

 

[TwoStroke]

I don't know of any research done into the long term use of omeprazole (Gastroguard) in horses, but once the ulcers have healed it should be possible to maintain a healthy digestive tract with careful management, meaning that it is not necessary to continue with Gastroguard.

As an aside, have you considered importing omeprazole from the US? Much cheaper...

 

[zaminda]

I have horses who have ulcer issues, and haven't found it neccassary to stay on gastroguard long term thank god as it is very expensive. I changed my horses to live out, lots of fibre, and no cereals. If I need to feed anything more than fibre nuts, alfa, and alfa beet, I add equijewel, equilibra, and if really neccasary a mix called releve, which is a non cereal low starch high oil/fibre mix from saracen. I also use neighlox, from Kentucky Equine, which is a preventative treatment for ulcers, which is vey good and reasonablly economical. I haven't had to use that for some time though, and the horses have stayed clear, one having a relapse when on cereals, hence the diet change.

 

[maggiesmum]

Whilst I don't know of any research into the long term use GG didn't work on my horses colonic ulcers and it can make ulcers in the hind gut worse because it works by stopping 90% of stomach acid production, this allows undigested food to pass through into the hind gut - I would think the long term effects of that could cause a problem.

 

[YasandCrystal]

Whilst I don't know of any research into the long term use GG didn't work on my horses colonic ulcers and it can make ulcers in the hind gut worse because it works by stopping 90% of stomach acid production, this allows undigested food to pass through into the hind gut - I would think the long term effects of that could cause a problem.

My holistic vet gave me a herbal routine to follow as my horse as well as 2 other ulcers had an ulcer in the pyloric region and she said the same as you that GG actually makes these worse and also without fail upsets the hindgut fauna in every horse that is given it and this needs intervention to restore.
She prescribed my horse 20ml of Green clay powder daily for 2 weeks and 10ml of Chlorella powder daily for 6 weeks. After the 2 weeks of Green clay - give a 2 week break (VERY important) from the Green clay then resume for 2 weeks - all the while feeding to 10ml of chlorella daily. This should restore the hind gut balance. It is all very cheap to buy.

I too changed my horse's management. He has adlib hay is out 24/7 fed no cereal or sugar (A&Ps Sugar and Cereal intolerant feed) and carob (locust bean and micronized linseed and magnesium oxide. He has wintered fine actually completely rugless and he is a very fine Westphalian. My boy had ulcers due to a chronic SI injury and the pain associated with that but he is a stress head and the new regime has really suited him.

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

thanks.

as far as i can, horse is on a very ulcer friendly regime, he is out for 7 hours a day, all year round and has ad lib hay at all times (in stable, lorry, when being groomed etc).
he has winergy feed (very good for ulcers) and linseed.

he competes, so i guess the stress of that is the only none ulcer friendly element, but as i bought him to compete, i cannot change that aspect.

he's currently on feedmark ulcer calm, which of the 4 ive tried (coligone, gastri x, and the naf one), has had the best effect on him.

sounds like long term omeprazole isnt good, which is what my gut (ha ha) said, but wanted to check.

where did you get the clay and chlorella?

 

[YasandCrystal]

thanks.

as far as i can, horse is on a very ulcer friendly regime, he is out for 7 hours a day, all year round and has ad lib hay at all times (in stable, lorry, when being groomed etc).
he has winergy feed (very good for ulcers) and linseed.

he competes, so i guess the stress of that is the only none ulcer friendly element, but as i bought him to compete, i cannot change that aspect.

he's currently on feedmark ulcer calm, which of the 4 ive tried (coligone, gastri x, and the naf one), has had the best effect on him.

sounds like long term omeprazole isnt good, which is what my gut (ha ha) said, but wanted to check.

where did you get the clay and chlorella?

Chlorella:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250g-PREM...auty_Vitamins_Supplements&hash=item5891eedcf1

Green clay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Green-Cla...ural_AlternativeTherapies&hash=item27c4143901

You could use some 'calming' aromatherapy oils soaked on a rag at competitions. Let him sniff the rag almost like a comfort thing. I used oils for my stressy WB and it was interesting to see the ones he was drawn to. Lavender is calming as is chamomile - just google 'calming aromatherpy oils'. They do work. I used to tie them (different rags with different oils) on the bars of my horse's stable when he was stabled so he could self pick
You might be wise to feed magnesium oxide as a precautionary measure as you probably know it is calming if your horse is deficient, but is harmless if not. I buy that cheaply on ebay too and feed 10ml per day to each of mine.