Ulcer treatments

S

scribble

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 September 2008
Messages
893
Location
norfolk
Visit site
My mare îs going for scoping for ulcers on 6th June. I am hoping this gives us the answer to the last 2 months of issues.

Are there any other treatment available other than gastroguard - I have seen talk of an injection but can’t find a name for the injection or any info on it. Is there anything else?

Mare has been varying forms of aggression biting, kicking the last 2 months, started 10 days or so after switching from winter grazing to summer grazing, we all have to move together and no gradual increase allowed. She refuses to let you on her although I did manage to get on her twice while she was on Bute last week to see if it was kS or something else. Horse got much more girthy being ridden esp trot and canter work and refused to be brushed from shoulder backwards very aggressive. Ovary scan negative for tumours and bloods and hormones all norms. Regumate did nothing to help. At moment I am seriously considering pts if can’t sort this. My normal calm lovely mare is horrid. Lunging is a no. She on dengie healthy tummy. She normally competes novice and works elementary easily. Still aggressive with no work, eating grass 24/7.
 
Mines just had a course of injections. It was 3 injections over 3 weeks. It is Omeprazole.

I’ve seen a little improvement but not enough yet.

He’s also started in the last week some ulcer granules provides by the vet plus I’ve put him on Ulsagon by Thunderbrooks.

I hope you find the answers to your mares problems, they seem suddenly very extreme.
 
Sorry to hear this OP- been there, done that, its horrid!

If it is KS, a Bute trial is unlikely to make much difference, but your diagnosis will likely involve some nerve blocking at a later stage which might answer that one.

Look at Acid balance in the hindgut if this has come on through changing grazing. This happened to my mare. Protexin Acid Ease would be my recommendation- it won't cure ulcers if she has them, but will help to restore pH balance in the gut and generally improve things. If you're going on a gastrogard course, definitely prepare the hindgut as it obliterates healthy gut bacteria. I don't know if injected Omeprazole has the same effect, so might be worth some research there.

My mare was diagnosed with KS and ulcers and treated accordingly. We never got her right as there must have been something else going on- hocks/ suspensories/SI joint? If you get a KS diagnosis, be sure to x-ray for associated problems so you have the full picture before moving forward. If I'd have known about the other issues, I'd have called time rather than opt for surgery.

Also consider restricting lush grass but giving hay/ alfalfa based products instead which soak up and neutralise acid- I found my mare was less uncomfortable when she'd been out muzzled and not able to gorge herself.
 
I went through awful time with mine , never showed a lot but would seriously kick out if u went anywhere near him to the point were couldnt rug him up / it was horrible to see because hes so soft and gentle and enjoys his work and looks for the lorry to go out , he was miserable and off all his hay would graze and eat hard feed / he was scopes scanned found to have ulcers which were hidden never responded to treatment rescoped and scannes as symptoms became worse/ bleeding into his abdomen sever inflammation in his digestive system / i nearly called it a day but he was started on steroids and never lookes back was off all medication in 6 weeks xxx
 
Yep can’t rug mine without her biting, kicking so I don’t currently rug even in heavy rain as it’s not worth being badly attacked over. She does this to put rug on and take off. If we scope and find nothing I am seriously considering pts. At 16.3 she is too big and expensive to keep as a pet and behave like that.
 
I would definitely tey and investigate if u can afford to mine was very nesrly put to sleep but i am so glad i didnt now xx
 
Im over 3 weeks into a course of ranitidine - didnt scope mine but shes had a rough few months with an initially undiagnosed left hind injuru, followed by trip to horsepital and then 6 weeks box rest. Ive noticed a difference in her (few days in) so will run the full course. Ranitidine needs 3 feeds a day, 8 hours apart though so its a commitment (its also significantly cheaper).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top