UlcerGard/Gastrogard dosage

[JB]

@Bugs_s_Mom

I know during treatment phase GG/UG have to be given on an empty stomach, does this apply to prevention as well?

Technically, yes. Realistically? It probably depends on the horse. Absorption will be less if there’s food in the stomach, the question is, is it enough less to make a difference for that horse.

@Bugs_s_Mom

What if the horse is maintaining well on Outlast?

I would ALWAYS choose diet over drugs. Outlast is proven to raise pH above 4.0 (the magic threshold) for up to 6 hours, and for a lot of horses, using that for their work (ie feed it right before you get him out to groom/tack up/warm up) is all they need. For others, an additional serving is often all they need.

Adding omeprazole to Outlast is doing 2 different things. Personally, I would not use the drug if you find the Outlast is going all that you need it to.

[Bugs_s_Mom]

Thank you, that all makes sense and as I would use it for prevention not treatment I don’t think the drop in absorption really matters.

[Bugs_s_Mom]

If I understand you correctly you are saying that even if I am moving him and he is maintaining on Outlast and balanced diet then I should just keep everything the same, correct? I also prefer to manage with diet rather than drug.

[JB]

The drop in absorption could matter, if that drop means the pH doesn’t rise enough to fit that horse’s needs, especially if you’re starting with a 1/4 tube for a horse who’s appreciably more than 1250lb (not that you gave his weight, just putting numbers out there) as that’s the basis for the labeling - 4mg/kg means 1 tube treats a 1250lb horse, or provides 4 prevention doses for a 1250lb horse.

[JB]

@Bugs_s_Mom

If I understand you correctly you are saying that even if I am moving him and he is maintaining on Outlast and balanced diet then I should just keep everything the same, correct? I also prefer to manage with diet rather than drug.

That is what I would do, yes. Would using the drug a few days before, during and after the move be a bad idea? Not necessarily.

You could also use Outlast at the 3-4 doses a day for a few days during and after the move, even a week or 2, providing closer to full time pH increases

[Bugs_s_Mom]

Thank you!

[wsmoak]

How long does it take to absorb? That is… if I give the UlcerGard on an empty stomach, how long should I wait after that to feed a meal to achieve the (hopefully) 100% absorbtion?

[joiedevie99]

@wsmoak

That is… if I give the UlcerGard on an empty stomach, how long should I wait after that to feed a meal to achieve the (hopefully) 100% absorbtion?

According to my vet, 1 hour is ideal. In reality, my horse probably got hay at 30-40 minutes and then grain at 1 hour.