Gastroguard results

[AprilA]

Looking for some feedback on how long it took for you to see positive results once you started your horse on gastroguard. I’ve always heard that horses respond really well within the first few days but that’s not what I’m seeing in my horse. He’s been on gastroguard for five days and is still really symptomatic.

Quick background:
I recently moved my 8-year-old Arab gelding to a new barn. I started him on Ulcerguard and some Outlast beforehand but it looks like he developed ulcers anyway. He’s high energy and looky though absolutely loves people, but his behavior escalated REALLY quickly after about 2 weeks at the new barn: girthy, sucking back, spooking at everything, nippy while being walked in the arena, rearing and bucking when asked to trot then he tried to bite my foot. I’ve started him on gastroguard and on the 5th day he was definitely less spooky but still exhibiting the other behaviors. I’ve only ridden him at the walk and asked for the trot as a gage for how he’s feeling then I back off if he’s symptomatic.

[RJC]

Is he getting a full tube? If yes and you’ve seen some improvement, I would continue for another few days and see if he continues to get better. I saw dramatic results in the first week with my mare.

That said, if he doesn’t improve dramatically it would be a good idea to talk to your vet about scoping. Some horses require a multi-pronged approach of meds, and there’s potential that the issue isn’t ulcers and a month of pointless treatment is expensive.

[B-burg_Dressage]

My horse’s symptoms were mild. He was just very sucked back behind my leg and “off”.

I notice improvement in a week or so.

I’d say stick with it at least a week and a half as you have seen some improvement. He could still be in some pain or just reacting because he expects to be.

[candyappy]

How is the management of the horses different between the 2 barns?

I am not saying the GG isn’t working but I am just wondering if some of his behavioral changes could be from a change in diet, moving to a new barn and maybe exercise or turn out is greatly diminished?

[Fiesta01]

My gelding used to start to show some improvement after 4-5 days of Gastrogard, but friends’ horses took a little longer.

You might want to talk to the vet about the possibility of hindgut ulcers and treat for those also. Ranitidine and sucralfate are commonly used for the hindgut.

[wsmoak]

Wandering by to say there are rebates on UG/GG right now… https://www.boehringeringelheimequinerebates.com/#/home

[AprilA]

His new barn is definitely different. We were previously at a small private barn with three other horses and he had almost daily pasture turn out. Now he’s at a 30-horse barn in a 12’x12’ stall with attached run and no turn out because the fields are flooded. I am able to get him out more because he’s closer to home but the lack of pasture time has been rough.

[IPEsq]

Week to 10 days for a normal case (as in not one that takes many months and multiple meds to heal)

[Amy3996]

My horse was a “multiple meds and many months to heal” case. Even so, there was noticeable improvement in his attitude and symptoms within about 10-14 days of starting on GG.

[candyappy]

@AprilA

Now he’s at a 30-horse barn in a 12’x12’ stall with attached run and no turn out because the fields are flooded. I am able to get him out more because he’s closer to home but the lack of pasture time has been rough.

I truly believe that is a big part of his behavior change and the fact that you say in ( below quote)the first post you are not riding him much at all since the move. He just has too much pent up energy for his mind/body to handle.

@AprilA

I’ve only ridden him at the walk and asked for the trot as a gage for how he’s feeling then I back off if he’s symptomatic.

[equinelaundry]

Mildly noticeable around 10 days. But the real change didn’t come until day 21.

[starsandsun]

I’ve seen improvement around days 10-12. Wanted to add, however, that improvement doesn’t mean cured. I’ve been through the ringer with ulcers, and recently was advised by the internist vet that 1 full tube every day was half what my boy should have received.

[hillary_again]

Started full tubes, once per day, on Monday and saw improvement by Thursday. Went the full 28 days on full tubes.