Horses are awesome creatures who only display pain when it is extremely severe. Otherwise, they maintain a false sense of normalcy until there is too much bodily harm to cover up the issue. Regrettably, horses frequently develop ulcers. According to numerous studies, between 60 and 90 percent of adult horses and 25 to 51 percent of foals develop ulcers. 

What then causes ulcers in horses? There can be some causes for it, including:

  • Fasting
  • Irregular eating
  • excessive exercise
  • Increased blood flow to the stomach is a result of stress.
  • Eating seldom
  • Feed that prevents the horse's production of saliva

 

But, once you diagnose your horse is suffering from ulcer, treat them with Sucralfate, the best ulcer medication for horses. It helps in treating all ulcers such as Non-Glandular Ulcers, Glandular Ulcers, Hindgut Ulcers, Colonic Ulcers and Right Dorsal Colitis. 

 

 

What is sucralfate for ulcers?

Sucralfate is a powerful treatment for stomach and hindgut ulcers in horses. It is used inconjunction with omeprazole to treat stomach ulcers.

Sucralfate is sucrose octasulfate hydroxy aluminium salt that functions by attaching to the mucosal lining of the colon and stomach.

It acts as a bandage over ulcerated tissue, shielding ulcerative craters from more harm from stomach acid and digestive enzymes. Sucralfate also promotes healing of the stomach lining and pain relief.

 

 

How does it work?

When taken orally, sucralfate condenses into a thick, gooey gel that is negatively charged and has the capacity to bind positively charged proteins that are prevalent in injured tissue, such as stomach lining lesions.

This gel shields the injured area from further injury by creating a barrier that lasts 6 to 8 hours. Sucralfate has also been proven to increase stomach pH in greater amounts.

Sucralfate helps in:

  • Ingesting bile acids
  • Ionised hydrogen buffers
  • Induce Prostaglandin E
  • Boost the production of bicarbonate
  • Long GI transit time and slow gastric emptying
  • Encourage the release of mucus

 

Why is Sucralfate used in treating horse ulcers? 

Sucralfate buffers hydrogen ions in the stomach, lowering gastric juice acidity and minimising stomach lining damage. 

Sucralfate may aid in promoting the healing of current ulcers and may lessen the likelihood of new ulcers occurring by buffering hydrogen ions and lowering acidity in the stomach.

 

How to treat horse ulcers with sucralfate?

In the stomach, it reacts with hydrochloric acid to create a thick, viscous film that covers any ulcerative craters. As a result, ulcers are protected from stomach lining-eroding gastric fluids.

To stop new ulcers from forming, sucralfate also alters the environment in the stomach and small intestine. If you want to know if sucralfate is a good choice for your horse.

Administer at a minimum of 30 minutes before or after meals, sucralfate should be taken two to three times per day. Sucralfate shouldn't be taken concurrently with other drugs because it can decrease their efficacy. The recommended treatment period is 21 days.

Sucralfate does not affect a horse's digestion because it is not immediately absorbed by them. It serves as a barrier to shield the horse from the acid accumulation and harmful microorganisms. For that reason, sucralfate can be an effective way to prevent horse ulcers.

 

When should sucralfate be given?

While it’s excellent at protecting the horse’s digestive tract, sucralfate inhibits the absorption of other medications & supplements. For this reason, sucralfate needs to be fed 30 minutes before or ideally (But 30minutes will suffice) two hours after meals or medication. Timing the sucralfate dosage right is very important.

Recommended sucralfate dosage for horses?

  • 500kg (1100lb) horse: 3  sachets/scoops per dose  (up to 3 times a day)
  • 300kg (660lb) pony:    2  sachets/scoops per dose  (up to 3 times a day)

Sucralfate can be administered as a liquid , mix with water or a small handul fo chaff. Best not to administer with a  main meal.  Studies say give on an empty stomach. The least likely time of the stomach being at it least empty is the morning. Horses naturally are required to graze/eat 24/7.

 

What happens if I miss a dose?

If a dose is missed, give as soon as possible; if the next dose is within a few hours of the normal schedule, wait, and give at the regular time. Do not double the dose.

 

What should I do after the treatment?

To manage horse health after treatment and stop ulcers recurring in future, your horse will need an ongoing care plan . This includes feeding an ulcer-appropriate diet, exercise, medication and lifestyle changes.

 

Start the ulcer treatment for horses with Abler

None of us likes to see our horses in pain, right? So, why not give them the best we can! Ablers sucralfate can be your perfect partner in fighting the horse ulcer.

Purchase the best-selling medications, AbSucralfate (sucralfate), used to treat the symptoms of equine glandular gastric ulcer disease (EGGUD), pyloric ulcers, and equine squamous gastric ulcer disease (ESGUD) inconjunction with omeprazole. It is also reported to be beneficial in treating right dorsal colitis in the hindgut.

 

Give your horse a long healthy, ulcer-free life with Abler.