Answers to questions about preventing equine stomach ulcers

Are horses really at risk to develop stomach ulcers?

Equine stomach ulcers have been found in horses of a wide variety of breeds, disciplines and ages, including:

• 93% of racehorses¹

• 63% of nonracing performance horses²

• 51% of foals³

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What is EGUS?

EGUS stands for Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome, another name for equine stomach ulcers. It is used by some horse care professionals much like its human counterpart, GERD (which stands for gastroesophaeal reflux disease). Both are funny-sounding names that stand for serious clinical conditions. Click here for more information about EGUS.

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Why is it important to prevent equine stomach ulcers?

Painful equine stomach ulcers reduce performance and can even lead to death.⁴ They can occur in as little as 5 days for horses under stressful conditions⁵ but they may go undiagnosed for long periods of time. Staying on guard to prevent stomach ulcers helps reduce their serious effects.

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What are some of the stress factors that can lead to equine stomach ulcers?

They can be everyday activities that may not seem stressful to you at all. For example:

• Competition⁶

• Training⁶

• Travel⁶

• Trailering⁶

• Weekend show or events⁵

• Confinement⁵

• Limited turnout or grazing⁷

• Lay-up due to sickness or injury⁷

• Changes in routine⁷

One study showed how easy it is for recreational horses to develop stomach ulcers in just 5 days.⁵

• Maintained normal feeding schedule

• Maintained normal exercise schedule

• Trailered for four hours

• Mild exercise – twice daily

• Fed oats + grass/alfalfa

• Trailered for four hours on Day 4

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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 ulceration. For more information about stomach ulcers, click here.

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When and how often should I use ULCERGARD?

When treated for eight to 28 days, ULCERGARD is proven to effectively prevent gastric ulcers in horses exposed to stressful conditions. A single, daily dose provides the proper dose for horses weighing between 600 and 1,200 pounds.

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Can ULCERGARD help my horse perform better?

Horses suffering with stomach ulcers may not eat normally or may exhibit a poor attitude, which can lead to sub-optimal training and performance. ULCERGARD works to prevent the development of stomach ulcers, which can prevent the signs associated with this condition.

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Can human acid-reducing products be used in horses?

ULCERGARD is the only product that is FDA-approved specifically for the prevention of equine stomach ulcers. Horse owners should be aware that other products are not FDA-approved nor have they been proven to prevent ulcers in horses.^9-11 This includes:

• Human antacids (Pepto Bismol^® and Maalox^® and equine versions such as Gastrolox and Neigh-Lox)

• Compounded formulations of omeprazole, like Ulcer Stop

• Non-FDA approved products, like Ulcer Stop

• Dietary supplements (Succeed)

• Nutraceuticals

• Histamine Receptor Antagonists or H2 Blockers (Tagamet^® and raniditine)

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If my horse shows signs of stomach ulcers should I use ULCERGARD?

ULCERGARD is recommended to prevent equine stomach ulcers in healthy horses. 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. Click here for GASTROGARD prescribing information.

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Where can I buy ULCERGARD and how much does it cost?

ULCERGARD is available through your veterinarians. In, fact, it is the No. 1 veterinarian-recommended preventive for equine stomach ulcers.¹² And since ULCERGARD is a preventive, no diagnosis or prescription is necessary.¹³

The suggested retail price of ULCERGARD is $9.75 per daily dose ($39.00 a tube/4 daily preventive doses).

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Important safety information:

ULCERGARD can be used in horses that weigh at least 600 pounds. Safety in pregnant mares has not been determined.

For prescription information for GASTROGARD, click here.

®ULCERGARD is a registered trademark of the AstraZeneca Group of Companies.

¹Murray MJ, Schusser GF, Pipers FS, Gross SJ. Factors associated with gastric lesions in thoroughbred racehorses. Equine Vet J 1996;28:368-374.

²Mitchell RD. Prevalence of gastric ulcers in hunter/jumper and dressage horses evaluated for poor performance. Association for Equine Sports Medicine September 2001.

³Murray MJ. Endoscopic appearance of gastric lesions in foals: 94 cases (1987-1988). JAVMA 1989;195(8):1135-1141.

⁴Radostits OM, et al. Veterinary Medicine: A textbook of the diseases of cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and goats. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co.; 007:237-241.

⁵McClure SR, et al. Gastric ulcer development in horses in a simulated show or training environment. JAVMA 2005;227(5):775-777.

⁶ULCERGARD product label.

⁷Murray MJ. Disorders of the stomach. In: Smith BP, ed. Large Animal Internal Medicine. St. Louis; CV Mosby, 1990;710-777.

⁸Equine Gastric Ulcer Council. Recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS). Equine Vet Educ 1999;11:262-272.

⁹Forward Research telephone survey of performance horse owners; commissioned for Merial. 2003.

¹⁰Murray, MJ. Suppression of gastric acidity in horses. JAVMA 1997:211(1)37-40.

¹¹Nieto, 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.

¹²Data on file at Merial, Market Directions Study.

¹³Freedom of Information Summary for ULCERGARD (NADA 141-227).

¹⁴White GW, et al. Prevention of occurrence and recurrence of gastric ulcers in horses by treatment with omeprazole at 1 mg/kg/day in Proceedings. 49th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners 2003:220-221.

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Photography by David R. Stoecklein