Gastric Ulcer Supplements for Horses Evaluated

Researchers noted no significant effects of treating horses with an anti-ulcerogenic supplement.
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If you are among the 25 million people (1 in 10 Americans) that have suffered from an ulcer at some point in their lives, then you are no stranger to either the accompanying persistent, dull ache or the sharp, shooting pain in the abdomen. Horses also are commonly affected, with an estimated 90% of performance horses and more than 50% of foals diagnosed with ulcers. These ulcers can cause weight loss, a dull hair coat, poor performance, and behavioral problems. Unfortunately, long-lasting, effective treatments and preventive methods are limited.

"Existing therapies for gastric ulcers in horses include medications such as drugs that decrease the amount of acid produced in the stomach (such as omeprazole or ranitidine) or drugs that coat the lining of the stomach to protect it, like sucralfate," explained Macarena G. Sanz, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, from the Section of Equine Medicine, Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, in Onderstepoort, South Africa. "These therapies require an extended treatment time, are expensive, and the effect does not persist once discontinued."

Sans, who is currently enrolled in a PhD program at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center, discussed ulcer supplements at the 12th Congress of The World Equine Veterinary Association held in Hyderabad, India, held Nov. 2-6.

Ulcers can develop in both the nonglandular and glandular portions of a horse’s stomach, and they are most commonly found in the area of the margo plicatus (the region that separates the glandular from nonglandular portions of the stomach). The glandular part of the stomach contains a mucosa with glands that secrete acid and pepsin, which are important aids in the early digestion of food. The glands also produce bicarbonate and mucus, which help form a protective barrier over the mucosal surface. This protects the glandular stomach from the damaging effects of acid and pepsin. The non-glandular region, however, has few defenses and is particularly susceptible to injury caused by stomach acid (i.e., ulcers)

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Written by:

Stacey Oke, MSc, DVM, is a practicing veterinarian and freelance medical writer and editor. She is interested in both large and small animals, as well as complementary and alternative medicine. Since 2005, she’s worked as a research consultant for nutritional supplement companies, assisted physicians and veterinarians in publishing research articles and textbooks, and written for a number of educational magazines and websites.

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