Studies have shown that up to 93% of racehorses and more than 60% of performance horses have experienced ulcers. Ulcers in horses are relatively common because their stomach is fairly small. Their stomachs are constantly producing hydrochloric acid. The acid can accumulate in their stomach and start to irritate the tender lining if they do not eat regularly.

Causes

There are several causes of ulcers. Horses evolved as grazing animals, eating many small meals frequently. If they eat often, their stomach is rarely empty and the stomach acid has less of a damaging effect. When they fast or don’t eat frequently, the acid builds up and problems can develop.

Another thing that can cause problems with a horse’s stomach is the type of feed it is eating. The amount of roughage a horse consumes can affect their stomach. Roughage requires more chewing and stimulates the production of more saliva. When the saliva is swallowed, it helps to neutralize the stomach acid.

The amount of exercise a horse is getting can affect the health of its stomach. When the amount of exercise increases, there is often a change of feeding such as times of fasting or less roughage. This increases the risk of ulcer development.

Exercise may also increase the time it takes for the stomach to empty and large amounts of acid remaining in an empty stomach allows the acid to eat away at the stomach lining. Medications can also cause stomach problems.

Talk to your veterinarian about the side effects of any medications your animal has been prescribed if you see signs of gastric distress in your horse.

Symptoms

If your horse is suffering from ulcers, you can look for signs and symptoms that will tip you off about what’s happening. In foals, signs can include intermittent colic, poor appetite, limited nursing, teeth grinding, excessive salivation, diarrhea and lying on their back. In Tadalis SX adults, symptoms of stomach problems can include poor appetite, weight loss, poor coat condition, mild colic, mental dullness, attitude changes, poor performance, and lying down more than normal.

If you suspect an ulcer, a veterinarian will review the health history, clinical signs, lab tests, and examination to make a diagnosis. This can be a life threatening condition in horses and foals, so if you suspect illness it is important to call a veterinarian immediately.

Treatment

Medications and diet management are the cornerstones of treating gastric ulcers in horses. Medication for ulcers serves three purposes. The first is to decrease stomach acid production. The second is to help neutralize the acid that is produced, and the third is to protect the lining of the stomach from the effects of the acid.

In addition to medication, dietary changes are almost always necessary. viagra for women information Cialis These changes can include increasing the amount of roughage in the diet. You may also consider increasing the number of feedings or increasing the amount of time the animal spends eating. Putting the horse to pasture is the best option.

Your veterinarian may recommend you avoid or decrease the amount of grain they eat, and use supplements to provide necessary vitamins and minerals. Your veterinarian may also recommend the use of probiotics to aid digestion.

In foals, many ulcers heal without medical treatment. In adults, clinical signs may improve within 1-2 days of starting the treatment, but healing is much slower. It is important to follow the veterinarian’s recommendations when treating ulcers. Stopping treatment too soon may not allow the horse to heal completely.

Author Bio: Robert Fogli is a researcher and a writer specializing in treating horse ulcers with effective equine supplements. To learn more visit: http://www.TotalHealthEnhance.com

Category: Pets and Animals
Keywords: Horse Ulcers