Gastric ulcers

Hi guys :) has anyone tried using Omeprazole with a horse that has ulcers? I talked to a vet (not mine but she was at the yard talking to someone else who's horse might have ulcers) today and she said this drug is expensive but effective. I was wondering what other people's experiences were of it before giving it a try.

Cheers in adavance!

It works well but has to be given as long as instructed. It is the only approved drug to cure ulcers. There are antacids which can help the horse feel better but they are not a cure.

Natisha is right. But, there is new research going on in Lexington, KY regarding the HindGut relation to ulcers. The study is in progress but they are feeling very strongly that the new technology of Equine Sourced Bacteria probiotics might have a very strong influence on ulcers. Like I said, the studies are not done yet but, that is the feeling.

Thanks Natisha and Beamer. I tried a few probiotic thingys but they were more in the form of balancers so would help soothe but won't cure. Going to continue to use them after using Omeprozole. I had the vet out yesterday and she has ordered me some tubes of GastroGaurd. SO expensive but she is the second vet to have sworn by it :) we'll see! Really hope I can finally solve Alli's tummy troubles! *fingers crossed*

I have used it and it does work. When I got my OTTB he had ulcers, so I used this everyday for a month. You will begin to notice improvements after about a week of use though, but need to keep up with the treatment for as long as you are advised to from your vet.

You will also need to think about your horse's current management and may have to change a few things. Free choice hay/pasture, high fat/fibre feed rather than grain based, lots of turnout time, maybe rethinking your training/showing schedule to be a little less stressful, etc. Speak with your vet about this.

If you go through with the treatments but do not change your horse's management they are likely to recur. They can recur in times of stress as well, and there is a lower dose form that you can use in times of stress, like a big trailer trip and show that will help. Again, speak speak to your vet.

Hope this helps and your horse is feeling better soon.