Does anyone use Devil’s Claw for a horse with ulcers? I think it is not recommended in this case. I’m curious about its effects on general aching muscles after a tough work-out, but while I don’t know that my horse has ulcers, she is a cribber and does not love it when I tighten the girth (though I think that her being crabby about the girth is just her grumbling). She’s in good weight, isn’t spooky, etc. The risk of exacerbating ulcers, if she has them, is too scary for me to try Devil’s Claw, I think. But I could be convinced otherwise.
The putative “active ingredient” in Devil’s Claw is a chemical that blocks the production of prostaglandins.
In this sense, it is, in fact, an NSAID.
The reason NSAIDs cause ulcers is because they block the formation of beneficial prostaglandins in the stomach. Unfortunately we can’t tell drugs to block the “bad” ones and spare the “good” ones, although more modern NSAIDs such as the COX-2 inhibitors (Celebrex for people, Equioxx for horses) function in that general direction.
So it’s entirely possible to expect Devil’s Claw to do what it’s meant to do in the stomach (block prostaglandins) just like it does in the muscles and joints (block prostaglandins). I wouldn’t consider it any safer than bute, aspirin, or any other NSAID.
Delta, you are a HUGE asset to this board. Thank you!
Whose asset are you calling huge? :winkgrin: Thanks. 
In addition to not being safer than any other NSAID for the GI tract and kidneys, Devils Claw can cause abortion in pregnant mares which is noted on the label of products such as “Buteless”. Herbals that actually work are NOT safer than synthetic drugs and in fact may be more dangerous on many levels.
My vet also told me devil’s claw is more taxing on the body and it has to break it down to get to the ingredient that helps relieve pain so not only can it still cause ulcers, but its also harder work for their liver. Again this all came from my vet, but it made enough sense I have not researched it.
We had this discussion because we decided to put my horse on a low dose of maintenance bute (he also stays on ulcer meds) and which was better to use daily.
:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:
She’s quick, she’s funny, she’s like the Easter Bunny, DeltaWAAAAAVE, Deltawave, Deltawave
(sung to the tune from Knight’s Tale)
[QUOTE=deltawave;4768736]
The putative “active ingredient” in Devil’s Claw is a chemical that blocks the production of prostaglandins.
In this sense, it is, in fact, an NSAID.
The reason NSAIDs cause ulcers is because they block the formation of beneficial prostaglandins in the stomach. Unfortunately we can’t tell drugs to block the “bad” ones and spare the “good” ones, although more modern NSAIDs such as the COX-2 inhibitors (Celebrex for people, Equioxx for horses) function in that general direction.
So it’s entirely possible to expect Devil’s Claw to do what it’s meant to do in the stomach (block prostaglandins) just like it does in the muscles and joints (block prostaglandins). I wouldn’t consider it any safer than bute, aspirin, or any other NSAID.[/QUOTE]
Hi Delaware, I mentioned what you wrote to my local vet and she asked if you new of any studies to this effect?
Thread is 6 years old. Maybe there’s some new info out there?
New studies to what effect? I’m not sure what that question is asking
Firocoxib (Previcox, Equioxx) is a more selective COX inhibitor, so is less likely to allow ulcers to develop than bute.
DC is even less likely, but it’s still there - can’t have the beneficial effect of the prostaglandin reduction without raising the risk of ulcers.
I put a horse on Perfequin which is tumeric based. I think that is easier on the stomach. It was recommended to me for a horse with ulcers, but I ended up using it on another horse that needed daily help.
I would be curious to hear what deltawave has to say!
