What Are the Treatments for Stomach Ulcers in Horses?

Stomach ulcers are not uncommon in horses and foals, as it is estimated that about 50 percent of foals and 30 percent of adult horses confined to stalls have mild ulcers. Severe ulcers are more prevalent among show horses and racehorses. Most mild stomach ulcers heal without treatment, though when necessary, different medications are used to decrease acid production, buffer the acid that is produced and protect the stomach lining from the acid's effects. It is important to not stop treatment before the veterinarian says to, as the ulcer might not heal completely.

  1. H2 Blockers

    • Histamine type-2 receptor antagonists inhibit the action of histamine, which is responsible for the production of gastric acid. Examples include cimetidine and ranitidine. Ranitidine has proven useful in healing and preventing stomach ulcers in horses, but recent trials have pointed to cimetidine being less effective.

    Proton Pump Inhibitors

    • This type of medication also prevents the stomach from producing acid. Currently, the proton pump inhibitor Omeprazole is the only FDA-approved medication for treating equine stomach ulcers.

    Buffers

    • Antacids buffer the operation of the stomach acid. However, due to the fact that acid is consistently being generated in the horse, antacids are only effective for less than an hour, making them an impractical treatment option. Although large doses of antacids are required, if administered on the day of a race or competition, they have the potential to be advantageous.

    Protectants

    • Some drugs prevent acid from making contact with the stomach lining. However, there is no data to support that they are as effective in the esophageal part of the stomach. An example is sucralfate, which binds to the gastric glandular mucosa and might have the capacity to induce healing in that region.

    Non-Medication Therapy

    • Besides medication, therapy for equine stomach ulcers includes changes in management, such as upping the amount of roughage in the diet, or putting the horse out to pasture to increase the amount of time the horse is actually eating. Another option is to limit the horse's grain intake, or eliminate it altogether. Instead, supplements can provide vitamins and minerals, and vegetable oils can contribute the necessary calories for the horse. Administering probiotics can also help with digestion.