• Are horses really at risk to develop stomach ulcers?
• Why use an equine ulcer preventive?
• How does ULCERGARD® (omeprazole) work?
• When and how often should I use ULCERGARD?
• Can ULCERGARD help my horse perform better?
• Do human acid-reducing products work on horses as well?
• If my horse shows signs of stomach ulcers should I use ULCERGARD?
• Where can I buy ULCERGARD and how much does it cost?

Are horses really at risk to develop stomach ulcers?
Studies have shown that more than 90% of race horses¹ and more than 60% of performance horses have experienced ulcers.² Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) can be a painful and discomforting condition that affects racing and performance horses because of the nature of their lifestyles. The stress due to changes in routine, diet, and exercise regimens that come with confinement, training, travel and competition may cause serious stomach ulcers in horses.
back to top

Why use an equine ulcer preventive?
People with ulcers often recognize that the food they eat or the situations they are in can aggravate their condition, and take medicine to prevent potential pain. Horse owners should be aware of similar threats to their horses and take the proper precautions to prevent them from experiencing pain and discomfort often associated with stomach ulcers.

Proactive ulcer prevention can help your horse cope more successfully with stressful situations and help to give them a healthy stomach, one that will allow them to perform at their best.
back to top

How does ULCERGARD work?
Horses secrete stomach acid 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and in many situations, like when they are unable to graze, have infrequent intake of roughage, or are just not eating roughage well for some reason, acid can build up and lead to stomach ulcers. The main ingredient in ULCERGARD - omeprazole - suppresses acid production in a horse's stomach and prevents ulcer development.
back to top

When and how often should I use ULCERGARD?
A single, daily dose of ULCERGARD administered for 28 days during a time a horse is exposed to stressful activities and situations, is recommended for the prevention of stomach ulcers. Each tube of ULCERGARD contains four preventive daily doses for horses weighing between 600 and 1200 pounds. Two doses are recommended for horses weighing more than 1,200 pounds.
back to top

Can ULCERGARD help my horse perform better?
Horses with stomach ulcers may exhibit a reluctance to train and have a poor attitude which can lead to sub-optimal performance. ULCERGARD works to prevent the development of stomach ulcers, thereby preventing the signs associated with this condition.
back to top

Do human acid-reducing products work on horses as well?
ULCERGARD is the only product proven to prevent equine stomach ulcers in horses. It is also the only product that is FDA-approved for the prevention of equine stomach ulcers. Horse owners should be aware that other products, including human antacids (Pepto Bismol^® and Maalox^® and equine versions such as Gastrolox and Neigh-Lox), compounded formulations of omeprazole, dietary supplements (Succeed) and Histamine Receptor Antagonists or H2 Blockers (Tagamet and Raniditine) are not FDA-approved nor have they been proven to treat or prevent ulcers in horses.^2-4
back to top

If my horse shows signs of stomach ulcers should I use ULCERGARD?
ULCERGARD is recommended to prevent equine stomach ulcers. When a horse shows signs of an existing stomach ulcer, it is recommended that it be seen by a veterinarian who can conduct a thorough examination and make a proper diagnosis. After a horse has been diagnosed, treatment with GASTROGARD^® (omeprazole) for 28-days is recommended. GASTROGARD is the only product proven to treat existing stomach ulcers and the only one that is also FDA-approved. Following treatment, an ongoing preventive regimen using ULCERGARD should be initiated.

Click here to learn more about GASTROGARD.
back to top

Where can I buy ULCERGARD and how much does it cost?
ULCERGARD is available through your veterinarians. And since ULCERGARD is a preventive, with no diagnosis necessary, you can just ask your veterinarian for it. The suggested retail price of ULCERGARD is $9.75 per daily dose ($39.00 a tube/4 daily preventive doses).
back to top

Click here for our present promotions.

¹Murray MJ, Schusser GF, Pipers FS, Gross SJ. Factors associated with gastric ulcers in Thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet J. 1996;28:368-374.
²Forward Research telephone survey of performance horse owners; commissioned for Merial. 2003.
³Murray, MJ. Suppression of gastric acidity in horses. JAVMA 1997:211(1)37-40.
⁴4 Nieto, JE, Spier, SJ, van Hoogmoed, L, Pipers, FS et al. Comparison of omeprazole and cimetidine in healing of gastric ulcers and prevention of recurrence in horses. Equine Vet Educ 2001;18:260-264.
^®Pepto Bismol is a registered trademark of Proctor & Gamble.
^®Maalox is a registered trademark of Novartis.

Caution
Federal (USA) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. GASTROGARD is indicated for the treatment and prevention of recurrence of gastric ulcers in horses and foals 4 weeks and older. In efficacy trials, no adverse reactions were observed. Safety in pregnant and lactating mares has not been determined. DO NOT USE IN HORSES INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.KEEP THIS AND ALL DRUGS OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. For more information, visit www.GASTROGARD.com.

®GASTROGARD and ULCERGARD are registered trademarks of the AstraZeneca Group of Companies.