Succeed test for ulcers

[Caramac71]

I would like to hear of people's experiences with this, as a diagnostic (as well as a treatment).

My horse is off to the vets next week for tests - vet came out a few days ago and found back pain so wants her in for X-rays etc

I do think a lot of her behaviour sounds ulcer-like although I know kissing spines have similar symptoms. I've also read of lots of links between the two. I'm worried that if a diagnosis is found for the back pain, that ulcers might be overlooked. Especially as horse lives out and therefor wouldn't be a typical candidate.

I have a major concern that my insurance won't pay and therefore I need to proceed very carefully with tests and costs until a claim form is submitted and I know if/what they will cover.

I wondered if succeed might be a lower cost way of seeing if ulcers might be a problem - at which point we could then decide if it would be worth scoping.

Will all vets run the succeed test if requested? What are the accuracy rates like for the test? Would a mild case be picked up or would they have to be quite severe before being detected?

 

[Auslander]

Ive tested two horses using the kit. Both tested positive for hind gut ulcers- one had mild symptoms, and wasn't really a problem (I just sensed that he wasnt quite right) and the other was verging on unrideable. Both have improved considerably on the Succeed supplement, in terms of behaviour and symptom resolution. It's a very marmite test, and a lot of vets don't rate it, but it has been very interesting, and positive in my case.

 

[Ali27]

Ive tested two horses using the kit. Both tested positive for hind gut ulcers- one had mild symptoms, and wasn't really a problem (I just sensed that he wasnt quite right) and the other was verging on unrideable. Both have improved considerably on the Succeed supplement, in terms of behaviour and symptom resolution. It's a very marmite test, and a lot of vets don't rate it, but it has been very interesting, and positive in my case.

My mare tested positive for hind gut and gastric ulcers using the succeed test. After 90 days of the supplement, she tested negative. Well worth the £25 for the test

 

[Caramac71]

Thank you both replying. Did your vets suggest the test or did you have to request it? Was it a problem getting vets to agree to the test?

 

[Ali27]

Thank you both replying. Did your vets suggest the test or did you have to request it? Was it a problem getting vets to agree to the test?

I suggested the possibility of ulcers and my vet recommended the test rather than scoping as he didn't think pony was typical ulcer candidate! Also scoping doesn't obviously show hind gut ulcers.

 

[paulineh]

My boy had both Gastric and hindgut Ulcer, again like your horse not any real sighs. He has always been a bit mouthy when you girth him up.

My boy is an Advances Endurance horse, he lives out 24/7 and has a high fibre diet. My reason for thinking he may have Ulcers was his performance went off. My vet came and it was him that said to use the Succeed test, which came back positive for both. He has been treated for the gastric ones with Gastrogard and the Hind Gut with the succeed supplement. He was scoped and found to have Grade 1 gastric ones. Theses have now gone with the treatment.

After 2 weeks of treatment he was moving so much better and differently that I ask my vet to see him again because a vet at an endurance ride noted that he looked un level (Not lame but stiff). He was found to be sore in the SI joint area, this was thought to be connected to the ulcers as the Hind Gut Ulcers take much longer to heal and he was still feeling sore. My insurance company was asked about using alternative treatment i.e Physiotherapy, Acupuncture etc. He has had his SI joints injected and some Physio and is no longer sore.

I would look at having the Succeed test done as it will give you a guide. Ulcers can cause a sore back so one may be linked to the other.